Anybody use a respirator for soldering SMDs? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ee851
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2012, 07:14:20 pm
content: Another poster suggested using a 12VDC fan next to the solder station to blow solder fumes away from your face. That's a great idea.Today, I looked at Greg Peek'shttp://www.siliconfarmers.com/smtmanga/and so thought I might consider using SMD again.So then I remembered that an uncontrolled exhale = lost part when soldering SMD's.So maybe instead of a fan, I should use a respirator. A respirator is a mask that covers the nose and mouth. It would draw fresh air in from outside through a tube, and have an exhaust manifold to vent the exhaled air back into the room.The purpose would be to NOT breathe solder fumes. An added benefit would be that sneezing wouldn't blow tiny parts away.Has anybody tried this? Is this a dumb idea? Or is it a good idea?

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2012, 07:24:48 pm
content: or try to get an iron mounted fume extractor it would be hard to make an exhaust pump for a sub 6mm tube

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2012, 07:54:30 pm
content: Just use a fan to suck the air. just use a 120mm fan with guards.

author: Matje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2012, 11:41:07 pm
content: Quote from: ee851 on November 06, 2012, 07:14:20 pmBut then you would be doing it wrong, no? You do have to manipulate/hold the SMD part using a pair of tweezers or similar - how could it work otherwise? And then - no problem with exhaling. OK, sneezing could be a bad idea.Quote from: ee851 on November 06, 2012, 07:14:20 pmHmm, dunno, sounds uncomfortable. The mask material will get soggy over time (feeling nasty), whether these things really block solder fumes is untested as far as I understand as that is not what they are intended (and tested) for.As for blowing tiny parts away: always remember this is expected with these teeny weeny itsy bitsy parts. Just don't go searching for them and you will be fine. Don't lose expensive tiny parts though. Ideally: don't buy expensive stuff in silly tiny sizes - as a hobbyist there is mostly no reason to do that.

author: ee851
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2012, 01:28:51 am
content: Quote from: Aurora on November 07, 2012, 12:20:43 amBeen there, done that, Fraser! Thanks for the stories. You did get me thinking of an alternative. Yes, there must be some kind of adhesive a small drop of which would hold an SMT resistor fast to the board even if I sneezed directly on it. I just don't know what it is, other than cured epoxy, that is.Well, maybe a simple plastic deflector would shield the work in front of me from a direct sneeze. Sounds like a better idea.And I don't ever want to get anywhere near a cat litter box again, thank you very much.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2012, 10:14:16 am
content: I am pleased if my little tales of respirator activities amusedThe 'glue' for smt working is designed to be nice and sticky during assembly. It sets to a glass hard material once heat is applied to the PCB. In physical high stress applications it can help in the protection of the SMT component as it provides excellent support. The components can be a pig to remove when doing repairs though.The product technical sheet is attached.You can find it for sale here:http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/surface-mount-silicone-adhesives/1181368/Many electronics suppliers stock this product under various trade names.RegardsFraser

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2012, 01:13:22 pm
content: Just use one of these units.http://www.protecdirect.co.uk/Respiratory-Helmets/Lightweight-Battery-Powered-Air-Shield.htm

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2012, 01:37:48 pm
content: Just a thought....if sneezing is the concern....you really don't want to be wearing a respirator when it happens....it gets very messy inside !Fraser

author: LAZLOT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2012, 05:37:59 am
content: You only need a very light breeze across the work area. I sometimes use an old PC cooling fan at a distance (around 4-500mm), but more often-than-not, I simply don't breathe in when the fumes are rising nearby. When I first started to solder no-one told me about the fumes, and I loved the smell, so I breathed in lots of fumes. That was around 25 years ago, and I'm still here...

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2012, 08:05:11 am
content: Get a 35$ aoyoue or other brand active carbon fan. They work great. Or you spend. A bit more and get an ok industries fume eabsorbtion fan.http://www.hisco.com/products/view/Soldering-Desoldering/Fume-Extraction/Fume-Extraction-Systems/OKI07I got one of the above, lightly used off ebay for 70$...The other cheap one is this :http://www.amazon.com/Edsyn-Extractor-Benchtop-FXF11-Fuminator/dp/B00012YSDWOrhttp://www.amazon.com/Weller-WSA350-Bench-Smoke-Absorber/dp/B000EM74SK/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1352707439&sr=1-1&keywords=fume+extractorThe bottom one is made by onehunglo and can be found for under 20$...The active carbon sheets last a long time

author: Achilles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2012, 11:54:58 am
content: Well, I use a 3M 6800 Full Face mask and an , but not for soldering.It has a nice wide field of view, but after a while it can get uncomfortable as you always have to work agains the filters.So I only use it for sanding, sandblasting, painting or epoxying. I really don't want to mess with a respirator and soldering.....

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2012, 12:15:53 am
content: The smaller the SMT components you are working with, the smaller diameter solder you use. The smaller diameter solder, the smaller amount of flux in it. The smaller amount of flux in it, the smaller amount of smoke comes off when you heat it up. The smaller amount of smoke comes off, the less you need worry about inhaling it (not that you really need to worry anyway). The less you need to worry about inhaling fumes, the less you need to worry about dealing with said flux fumes.sooooooo..... use 0201s and call it a day. Problem solved.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2012, 03:17:45 am
content: Quote from: Smokey on November 13, 2012, 12:15:53 am0201 is for beginners 01005 is the way to go!

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2012, 05:57:04 am
content: I have used a respirator just once.Got VERY tired of it, why? I already have limited breathing abilities (My nose's always blocked) and air has to pass through a HEPA filter just to get to me...But the thing is, all you're breathing is rosin and it smells good! Though headaches from prolonged use are another concern ... As well as swollen eyes

author: Achilles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2012, 09:18:52 am
content: Quote from: T4P on November 13, 2012, 05:57:04 amOoooh...lovely... need that filter. Mine just smells like an armyshop...or is the armyshop smelling like my mask?!