When a Customer Took a Drill to Our Machine (Yes, Really)

Written by David

Published on July 3, 2026

Many of our users are electronics engineers, DIY enthusiasts, and hands-on makers. So we've always expected our products to show up in all kinds of inventive projects—and yes, even the occasional modification. Whether it's 3D-printing a custom adapter or tweaking a hose setup, that's all very much within the "we saw this coming" category.

But then there are moments like:

"The customer took our machine apart to see how it works."

"Wait… someone drilled into our machine with a power drill?"

"Cool, a customer actually turned foot control into a real thing. "

Every time we come across comments or videos like these on social media, we still can't help but do a double take.

Of course, we can't keep all this creativity to ourselves—and honestly, we don't think we should. These ideas are too good not to share.

In one interesting case, SquatchLab shared how they modified the FC-2001S to reduce perceived noise during operation. Instead of treating it as a limitation, they approached it as an opportunity to optimize their workspace setup.

Every workspace is unique, and we always enjoy seeing how our customers incorporate FumeClear products into their projects and workstations.

Want to Add a Fume Extractor but Not Sure Where to Start?

If you're also looking for a fume extractor but aren't sure whether the FC-2001S is the right fit for your needs, we've prepared a simple overview of our fume extractor models to help you understand the key differences and find the one that best matches your workspace and applications.

FC-2001S – An Entry-Level Choice

The FC-2001S is designed for hobbyists, students, DIY makers, and anyone getting started with soldering or electronics repair. It offers effective multi-stage filtration in a compact, affordable design, making it an excellent choice for occasional and light-duty use.

FC-2001A – Built for Frequent Use

If you solder regularly or spend long hours at your workbench, the FC-2001A is a better long-term solution.

Compared with the FC-2001S, it features:

A durable metal housing that provides a more premium feel and improved durability for long-term use.
Built-in sound insulation for quieter operation.
A longer segmented silicone hose that is easier to position and stays where you place it.

For repair shops, electronics engineers, and frequent makers, the FC-2001A provides a noticeably improved user experience with enhanced durability, quieter operation, and greater flexibility for daily work.

FC-100A/FC-150 – Professional for Flexible Workstation Layouts

The FC-100A and FC-150 are more powerful models than the FC-2001A, offering stronger suction performance. They also feature a durable metal housing and come with a 1.2 m long hose for more flexible positioning.

Its digital control panel and remote control allow you to adjust airflow and power without needing to access the main unit directly, making it particularly suitable for larger or more permanent workstations.

For users who prefer to place the main unit farther away from the work area—such as underneath a workbench or in another convenient location—the FC-100A/FC-150 offers additional flexibility.

If you'd like to share your workspace setup, workflow, or experience using your FumeClear fume extractor, we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a review on your FumeClear product page, or email us at marketing@fumeclear.com.

We also welcome photos and videos shared on social media. Your setup or story may be featured in a future Customer Spotlight on our website. If we share your content on our channels, we will always credit the original creator and provide proper attribution.