Harmful chemical free solder?

CarlC

CarlC

New Member
Does anybody know if there`s a harmful chemical free solder about? Like what i mean is so i can do soldering at home without breathing in lead copper etc,or anything that can harm me.
The reason i ask is because i want to get experience in soldering but can`t,because of the chemicals in the solder,i can only do soldering at home,and so need one without lead and stuff in it.

Any advice appreciate.

cheers

Carl
 
Why not solder in your garage or somewhere with good ventilation? Ive never really heard of anyone getting sick from solder fumes, lol. You can purchase lead free solder although it only has a handful of applications.
 
Thanks for the reply.
I don`t have a garage and my mum would moan if i did it outside.lol
Sweet i`ll have a look.
 
Does your bedroom have a window in it? You do realize that soldering correctly produces very very very little actual fumes? Your only going to be doing short bursts of contact with the solder.
 
Yep it does,but won`t it stink alot, and like cling to the walls n furniture?I don`t wanna go to sleep whilst dreaming in lead lol.But i never thought of doing it by the window lol *slaps forhead*:good::D
 
lol, if you have stains on your wall from soldering you are using WAY to much solder. What exactly are you going to be soldering? Especially wiring and such your only using a very small amount of solder.
 
Just like capacitors and some wires, not much, i just want to get used to soldering,.And there`s no courses i can do.I`ve also got asthma.:(
 
CarlC said:
Yep it does,but won`t it stink alot, and like cling to the walls n furniture?I don`t wanna go to sleep whilst dreaming in lead lol.But i never thought of doing it by the window lol *slaps forhead*:good::D
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lol wut!? cling to walls! what have you been reading?
here, go to youtube, search for soldering tutorial, like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfXXRfRIzY

it's not hard, and it's not messy.

edit - once you get the hang of it, use heat shrink tubing for a clean look.
 
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zombine210 said:
lol wut!? cling to walls! what have you been reading?
here, go to youtube, search for soldering tutorial, like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfXXRfRIzY

it's not hard, and it's not messy.

edit - once you get the hang of it, use heat shrink tubing for a clean look.
Click to expand...

Nothing, just been watching febreeze adverts lmao.I`ve had a look and one of them said that it can cause some type of asthma.Am pretty peed of atm,seems like another career i can`t do.:mad:
 
CarlC said:
Nothing, just been watching febreeze adverts lmao.I`ve had a look and one of them said that it can cause some type of asthma.Am pretty peed of atm,seems like another career i can`t do.:mad:
Click to expand...

what?!
soldering isn't any more dangerous than walking to the corner store. the fumes that are produced are actually the flux evaporating, not the actual lead.

typical soldering temps are about 250 to 300 deg. C. lead's melting point is about 330 deg. C. and even higher to evaporate. yes, i used wikipedia :D

i've burned myself a couple times, but mostly because i was being sloppy, just don't forget to wear goggles.
 
its never been a problem. ive always used very thin solder with a temp controlled solder iron. you can get either from a good electronic supply house. besides using everywhere in the house, kitchen table, basement, garage where ever. Radio shack has thin. its a touch. on the lighter side for electronics you do need the right solder iron. low watts mostly and a very thin tip besides possibly a solder wick in case it tracks. you will find out if soldering on a motherboard or anything with SMT. Soldering is an art. Not everybody has the patience for it. requires steady hands and maybe a magnifying glass with light. Im using one of the pro models with fluorescent light and full faced and clamps to the work table. could be a good investment if doing a lot of work.
 
Go to Instructables.com for some good tutorials, and also some good plans for "third" hand systems with a ventilation fan mounted on a flexible arm to discharge the fumes. I used an 80mm case fan mounted on a flexible flashlight gooseneck with the air flow directed away from my face.
 
zombine210 said:
what?!
soldering isn't any more dangerous than walking to the corner store. the fumes that are produced are actually the flux evaporating, not the actual lead.

typical soldering temps are about 250 to 300 deg. C. lead's melting point is about 330 deg. C. and even higher to evaporate. yes, i used wikipedia :D

i've burned myself a couple times, but mostly because i was being sloppy, just don't forget to wear goggles.
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Actually the lead isnt what to worry about, as its not going into the air. What you should worry about is the flux, which can cause all sorts of nasty stuff like cancer, but its really nothing to worry about as long as you have a little air movement and arent deliberately inhaling the flux fumes. If you are just getting into soldering, i'd highly recommend getting a decent soldering iron, as using a cheap soldering iron, let alone trying to learn the skill of soldering is not the easiest thing in the world. Weller makes great irons, and radioshack has a small 25W weller iron that is good enough to learn with:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3086618

If you get into higher end soldering, you'll definately want something temperature controlled and with a nice fine tip.
 
Thanks for the replies all,spoke to my mum yesturday and she seems ok with me doing it,i`m just gonna wear a mask and do it close to my window.She says she did soldering and it isn`t that bad.So.......................................GAME ON!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:good::rolleyes::cool::D
 
CarlC said:
Thanks for the replies all,spoke to my mum yesturday and she seems ok with me doing it,i`m just gonna wear a mask and do it close to my window.She says she did soldering and it isn`t that bad.So.......................................GAME ON!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:good::rolleyes::cool::D
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no need for a mask quite honestly, at most just have a small desk fan sucking the air from your work area and blowing it in the general direction off your window.
 
bomberboysk said:
no need for a mask quite honestly, at most just have a small desk fan sucking the air from your work area and blowing it in the general direction off your window.
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Think i will still have one though cause of my asthma.Thanks for the advice:good::D
 
i dont know about you, but i solder indoors all day long at work and it doesnt stink up the place unless you are giving excessive heat
 
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