soldering - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: grifftech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 01:37:55 am
content: garage with door open temp: 13.9C57f(gets colder)indoors temp: 18.4C65.6f

author: action man
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 01:41:23 am
content: garage

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 01:44:56 am
content: It really doesn't matter. I'd suggest a warmer location as it will be easier on your soldering iron, but it's really what you feel comfortable with.Ventilation is a more worthwhile concern, so work wherever you can get the best ventilation.

author: djos
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 01:49:39 am
content: I solder in my garage as I have a nice workbench and it has great ventilation - I also have a little heater for when it's cold (by Aussie standards).

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 01:53:33 am
content: I just solder in my office, my garage is not conditioned nor insulated so the temp is either too hot or too cold to work comfortably in there. It is one of my future project goals to actually insulate and condition that space so I can actually use it for woodworking and stuff like that. I'd probably still keep the soldering in my office though as I plan to build a better work bench. Though I suppose it could be better to have those fumes in the garage instead...

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 02:20:37 am
content: Garage and put more clothes on or toughen up.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 03:31:20 am
content: I voted indoors, as I solder in my office (I've HEPA based fume extraction, so smoke isn't an issue). But as others have mentioned, it's whatever's comfortable to you.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 03:52:20 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 07, 2016, 03:31:20 amI solder in a largish room. It's got 0 ventilation, but it's big enough to not make it an issue, and I don't tend to do massive soldering jobs. Well, it does have a ceiling fan, which is better than nothing, but it just sorta spreads it around a bit. I do have an AC window unit, but only in the summer.

author: A.Huggy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 04:17:21 am
content: I solder at my desk with a fan that pushes air towards a window. I crack the window just a little when I'm soldering. It works pretty well. It's enough flow to keep the fumes at bay, and not quite enough change the temp in the room even if I solder for an hour.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 04:51:38 am
content: I've found that in cooler environments the convection currents set up by my body heat actually draw fumes towards me. So unless you have active ventilation (and running a fan when it is already chilly seems silly), I would go indoors. If you are not doing industrial scale soldering it shouldn't be much of an issue.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 04:55:46 am
content: Come to think of it, a fume extractor/filter type device is something I need to invest in. Can probably build one fairly easily with a filter and computer fan or something.

author: djos
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 04:57:24 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on December 07, 2016, 04:55:46 amIt's not worth the effort imo, mine was ~$40 on eBay with a stack of spare carbon filters.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 05:16:39 am
content: You're going to be raising the temperature of the workpiece by over 200C, why does 5C matter?

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 05:43:50 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on December 07, 2016, 05:16:39 amWould have been my question too, but I always trust experience over theory. I would watch a column of smoke rising from the solder joint curve towards me. Then I would move and in a few seconds the smoke would then curve to my new location. Unfortunately the air inlets on our bodies are at the top and in my case with my normal working positions the smoke had room to move well within breathing distance.I think the answer is that your body has a square meter or two of surface area, while the soldering zone is measured in square millimeters. So first order there is a hundred thousand times more area for heat transfer. Significantly overpowers the factor of 40 in temperature difference. The rising air from the soldering iron gets entrained in the much larger quantity of air rising from your body.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 06:09:06 am
content: I've always soldered indoors, and relied on gently blowing the rosin smoke away if it bothered me. 40 years later I still feel fine, but then I also collect old test equipment, so can't say for certain that the smoke hasn't caused mental issues...-Pat

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 06:29:17 am
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on December 07, 2016, 06:09:06 am14 and I spent about 150-170 dollars on an 80486. I think my mind is screwed.

author: djos
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 07:36:53 am
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on December 07, 2016, 06:09:06 amI like my lungs too much (same reason I don't smoke). Check out this Louis Rossmann video from the 27 minute mark to see the sort of garbage you'll breath in without air filtration!https://youtu.be/bVoBZqlvCKo

author: djos
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 08:01:54 am
content: Flux vapors are simply not good for you and are best avoided.http://www.elexp.com/Images/Health_Hazards.PDF