Well, I finally got tired of breathing solder fumes and made an ultra-low tech solder fume extractor. "Professional" versions of this device can be had for ~$100-$200 (for an example, see http://www.zeph.com/zt-4.htm). I decided this was too much money, and built one for $3. Here's what you need:

(1) Carbon filter (found at Wal-Mart, I used the Hamilton Beach True Air Replacement Filter) - $3
(1) Fan (I used a Honeywell 3 speed fan I had lying around the house)
Some cardboard box and duct tape

Steps:
1. Cut 5 squares of cardboard of equal size, sizing them a little larger than the filter
2. Using 4 of the squares, build a cube with walls only in the X-Y plane (imagining a room, you would not create a ceiling or floor)
3. With the fifth square, cut a smaller square about 1/2 inch in from all sides and punch it out
4. Tape the filter to the fifth square
5. Tape the fifth square/filter assembly to the "ceiling" of the cube, charcoal side of the filter facing out
6. Tape the box to the "sucking" side of the fan, and tape any openings on the fan to ensure suction through the box/filter
7. Turn fan on and solder like crazy!

This really works like a charm, and the charcoal filter does a great job of scrubbing the fumes from the air. This is a pretty simple project, but thought I'd post it to possibly help out anyone who is suffering from solder fumes. I haven't had this running for long periods of time, so after a period of time it may prematurely burn out the fan's motor due to increased resistance to air movement.

Happy soldering!

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We used something similar in the dorms back in my college days, it wasn't for soldering though.

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As the wise and noble Eric Cartman would say, "D*** Hippies!" It's always about the herbal rememdies with you guys!

I've been trying to figure out a DIY ventilation system myself (but for oil painting) so as to avoid the $400 and up price tag. This is certainly better than anything I've thought of so far (guess I don't hang out with enough pot heads, which is kinda counter-intuitve given I majored in art and teach at a high school. )

Thanks for the idea Lucas!

I built a household air purifier using the same technique. I used a 20 inch Filtrete Ultra Micron filter and a 20 inch box fan. Slap that filter on and duct tape it in place, then crank that fan and watch your allergies improve!

So much better than a 300 dollar HEPA unit...

Make sure the motor is sealed if you are going to use it around any flammable fumes....

Eric

So it's just me that like the smell of 60/40? (for you that don't know that's the
standard soldering tin). Every time that I start my old Weller my significant
other leaves the room

Anyhow. how close do you have to place it to be effective? If placed to close
does it cool the soldering equipment?