Review on 🔒 Hakko FA400-04 Anti-Static Benchtop Absorber - ESD Safe by Brennan Buckley

Works exactly as it should. I think a lot of people reviewing extractors don't have the most reasonable expectations of how these things work (this is a physics issue, not a Hakko issue). I'll try to briefly explain why this device is great for its price and promises. Pros: Quick to install and use. Insert the filter into the front grille, plug it in, press the switch. you extract. Good extraction. Anything close to the device will be dragged. As mentioned in the manual, the most efficient use of the device is to lay it face down and solder on a workbench directly in front of the device, allowing the fumes to go straight into the bottom grille of the device. Used in this way, the device is amazing. Installed vertically, it cleans the room better if, for example, your store is full of smoke and you need to leave the unit on for a while to process as much air in the room as possible. In any case, it does exactly what it promises. Hakko also sells a desk mount. In fact, the best way to get the most smoke out of this type of device is to purchase a mount to hold the device directly above your workspace. Hot fumes rise naturally, meaning they're much easier for the hood to catch. If you really want to get the most bang for your buck, find a way to keep this device on top of your project. Disadvantages/Physics Explained Doesn't draw air from three feet. Sorry kids, but physics doesn't work that way. A simple fan does not have the ability to force a column of air at a distance. The fan creates a negative pressure zone directly in front of the device. This means that the air flows into the device in a roughly hemispherical shape. Yes, you must place your soldering work directly in front of the device to get efficient extraction. No, neither Hakko nor anyone else can fix this. If you're really bothered by fumes and can't get the unit near the hood, either ventilate the entire room (wear a mask and get a restaurant-style hood) or put your hand over the unit right above to assemble at your workplace. Not dead silence. I see a lot of people complaining and in fact this unit is as noisy as a fan of this size pulling air through a filter. It's quiet for its class, although I'm sure it's relatively loud direct-to-ear under ideal lab conditions. In a real workshop, this is the normal noise of a quality fan. never mind The only real downside is that the slightly bulky plastic construction, while sturdy, reduces airflow a bit. It's a reasonable compromise where durability is more important than sheer efficiency, so it's hard to argue with. But a little more design effort could result in a 10% increase in airflow, for example, without sacrificing durability. Conclusion: There's a reason this Hakko block is loved by so many people. That's pretty much what you would expect. Get one. Bonus tip: If you want your filter to last a little longer, you can improvise a simple wire mesh or use cotton in front of the carbon filter. A simple screen prevents the filter from sucking in ambient dust, but still processes any bad stuff that gets in.