Abstract: An electric soldering iron having an elongated heater barrel extending from a handle and a soldering tip projecting from the end of the barrel is provided with a thermally isolated fume exhausting attachment positioned coaxially of the barrel and surrounding the tip for withdrawing objectionable fumes, gases, smoke and other air-borne contaminants from the soldering site. The attachment includes a metallic shell having a forward hood portion, overlying the tip and forming a fume exhaust chamber connected to a vacuum source by an exhaust conduit including a flexible transparent plastic tube portion, and a rearward slotted clamping portion secured to the front end of the barrel by a clamping ring. A compressible thermally insulative sleeve of alumina silicate fibers is interposed between the clamping portion and the barrel for thermally insulating the attachment from the heated barrel to preclude burn injury to the user of the iron.