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FA-400 Bench smoke absorber / filter review (2)

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  • pjgtech
    SMF Supporters
    • Dec 2023
    • 1061
    • Peter
    • Swale Kent UK

    #1

    FA-400 Bench smoke absorber / filter review (2)

    Did not want to impinge on the other review of one of these, (started by Bob -@BattleshipBob) so thought I'd do my own. Hope thats ok?

    After reading his review I was sucked into buying one myself, Lol, but then again, I am easily persuaded and very susceptible.
    So got mine form eBay, at just a smidge under £20. This one was listed as a smoke/fume absorber.
    Postage was free. Seller was "mobitools-uk". NB: I have no affiliation with the seller.
    It was delivered in a few days and well packed. It comes with one small foam pad cut to size, and it also came with a UK fitted plug, always a bonus!
    Click image for larger version

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    I don't airbrush, but on occasion I do use Tamiya fine surface primer via a rattle can, and also occasionally use acrylic matt gloss via rattle can, and both smell quite a bit. I tend to do all my modelling in our small spare room, designated "study" by me, but not much studying goes on TBH.
    I have an openable window, but the fumes from the various substances used in model making, eg: glue, paint, varnish, etc can build up a bit as its quite a small space.

    So thought this little extractor / filter may be useful for the few occasions when I need to reduce the fumes/smells.
    The lead is not very long, but long enough, eg: 1.5m (150cm or 1500mm or 58" ish). The size of the actual unit is approx 8" x 6.5" (or 200mm x 170mm).

    My plan is to use this in the garage as and when its needed. So also wanted to build a surround for it, with my little model turntable in front of it, so items being sprayed can easily be rotated. Being a tight wad I thought I'd just make my own out of rigid carboard. Here's what I ended up with on the mk1 version....
    Click image for larger version

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    I then thought I'd line it with old lining paper, as I happen to have a spare roll laying around, and can easily be replaced when necessary, so then the mk2 is now like this....
    Click image for larger version

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    So, whats it like to use? Well did a little bit of rattle can spraying today, and when switched on the fan is reasonably quiet, and seems to have some good suction. If you hold a piece of tissue paper in front of it, it gets stuck to the front, indicating a reasonable amount of air flow being pulled through the filter by the fan. (NB: there is a simple flick switch to the rear of the unit.)

    The unit seemed to get rid of most of the fumes, smells, etc and after a few minutes spraying the front of the foam filter was showing paint staining, again indicating that the paint fumes, etc are being drawn into the filter. I have also purchased some replacement foam, the type used in kitchen extractors, eg: carbon activated.

    So it seems to be a good solution for occasional and light rattle can spray use. Obviously IMHO it would not be suitable for heavy use, as in that situation I would go down the alternative proper extraction (to outside air) route.

    Total cost to me was £20 for the unit. I already had loads of spare cardboard laying around, and I also had the tape (used a mix of standard Sellotape and brown packing type tape), also in the garage and also already had the turntable and the lining paper, so a cheap solution for me.
    Hope the short review is useful to someone....

    Cheers
  • colin m
    Moderator
    • Dec 2008
    • 8870
    • Colin
    • Stafford, UK

    #2
    A fine bit of fettling. An industrious lot we modelers. I hope it does what you want.

    Comment

    • Richard48
      SMF Supporters
      • Apr 2018
      • 1988
      • Richard
      • Clacton on Sea

      #3
      Great idea indeed.Sounds like its just the job.Very inovative.
      Richard

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