Soldering Help

[TheKDub]

So earlier I was soldering some wires to a switch (very newbie to soldering), and spent maybe 10-15 minutes working on soldering the wires to it, and was using a window fan that was leaning against my wall blowing air towards me and the thing I was soldering, and had the window open.

I've got some weller 100/140w soldering gun that I was using as I don't have an actual soldering iron, so I ended up having to sort of lean over the switch (the switch was secured into the top of a project box, so I was holding it between my knees) and have some Bernzomatic electrical solder (silver bearing rosin core solder, contains tin, copper, and core flux), I probable used around the size of a large pea of solder.

 

I ended up breathing in some of the fumes, and have read a couple different things online, but am unsure of what is true, and such.

 

1. Is this small exposure to lead-free rosin core solder harmful?

2. How much exposure for how long would you estimate would be harmful?

3. Are the fumes from lead-free solder more harmful than leaded solder fumes?

 

I'm not seeing dots or hallucinating or anything like that right now (its been about 2 hours since I stopped soldering), though I was having some slight irritation in the lower front area of my neck (which was there for around 10-20 minutes after I stopped.

 

Another question/confirmation on what I heard:

Is it true that exposure to lead-free solder fumes can lead to pneumonia or 24-48 hour long flu like symptoms? If it is true, how much exposure would be required for that to happen? Was I exposed enough for it to happen to me?

 

Thanks!

 

(Note: Most of the time I would hold my breath when soldering the points, and would continue to do so for a couple seconds after I could no longer see the smoke/fumes from the solder, though there were a few times when I didn't hold my breath and am pretty sure I breathed in some of the fumes)

[nj4ck]

I wouldn't worry, I have treated my lungs to various types of solder fumes over the years and so far I'm still alive and kicking. Its certainly not healthy, but you'll live 

[2FA]

A lot these effects that you've read about are from long continuous exposure to soldering fumes, like if it was part of your job. I've done plenty of it and haven't noticed any side effects. 

[TheKDub]

I wouldn't worry, I have treated my lungs to various types of solder fumes over the years and so far I'm still alive and kicking. Its certainly not healthy, but you'll live 

 

A lot these effects that you've read about are from long continuous exposure to soldering fumes, like if it was part of your job. I've done plenty of it and haven't noticed any side effects. 

 

Alright thanks, glad that its not gonna end up being horribly harmful to me

(Kinda went into a panic mode about it from my damn anxiety )

[ApolloX75]

I do a lot of soldering and I work very close to people who are constantly MIG and TIG welding aluminum. With lead-free solder there is no real danger unless you sit there and inhale a whole lot of the fumes. Even then I don't think you'd be much the worse for wear, it'd be like smoking a couple cigarettes maybe.

 

Get a third hand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helping_hand_%28tool%29

 

It will make your life so much better.

[Charger]

You are far safer then me when I'm soldering I tend to end up leaning over what I'm soldering and just blowing the fumes away myself trying not to inhale to much of them lol

[KemoKa]

I've done plenty of soldering, even in non-ventilated rooms and I'm as healthy as ever. Just as long as you're not sucking in the fumes all day, every day, it's no worse than cooking over an open fire at a campsite. You'll be fine. Just don't stick your soldering iron in a hubble pipe.

[MeltingPoint]

Been sucking up solder fumes for quite some time. Still alive  :lol:

[TheKDub]

I do a lot of soldering and I work very close to people who are constantly MIG and TIG welding aluminum. With lead-free solder there is no real danger unless you sit there and inhale a whole lot of the fumes. Even then I don't think you'd be much the worse for wear, it'd be like smoking a couple cigarettes maybe.

 

Get a third hand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helping_hand_%28tool%29

 

It will make your life so much better.

 

Yeah I've wanted to get a third hand for a while, though I hardly ever solder stuff so I decided it's not something I really need.

[GoldSrc]

Is not the lead in solder that can damage your lungs, is the fumes that come from the flux.

You never point the fumes towards yourself like you did with the fan.

 

If you want to have an easy time soldering, don't use lead-free solder, get yourself some 60/40 stuff and make sure you get the thin one, 0.5mm is good.

Leaded 60/40 solder is not going to kill you unless you eat the thing, flux fumes are a nasty thing though don't breathe those.

[TheKDub]

Is not the lead in solder that can damage your lungs, is the fumes that come from the flux.

You never point the fumes towards yourself like you did with the fan.

 

If you want to have an easy time soldering, don't use lead-free solder, get yourself some 60/40 stuff and make sure you get the thin one, 0.5mm is good.

Leaded 60/40 solder is not going to kill you unless you eat the thing, flux fumes are a nasty thing though don't breathe those.

 

Yeah, the main thing that I was worried about with the lead-free solder aside from the flux fumes was the tin.

One of my friends who is going to college for electrical engineering suggested 60/40 leaded solder to me when I was talking to him a little while ago.

[GoldSrc]

Yeah, the main thing that I was worried about with the lead-free solder aside from the flux fumes was the tin.

One of my friends who is going to college for electrical engineering suggested 60/40 leaded solder to me when I was talking to him a little while ago.

60/40 is easier to work with, you can start to solder right away, just don't breathe the flux fumes and you'll be ok.

[MeltingPoint]

Nope. 63/37 is way easier to work with as it is a eutectic alloy. I personally do not use that lead-free or 60/40 crap.

[TheKDub]

60/40 is easier to work with, you can start to solder right away, just don't breathe the flux fumes and you'll be ok.

 

alright

 

I found that the shit I was using ended up going onto the pins of the switch, but that was about it, once it was on it didn't want to melt enough for me to get a wire through the hole in the pin.. (Thinking I probably should have put the wire through first, then added solder)

I think ill just use some heat shrink tubing and hot glue next time, cause I can clean that shit off pretty easy compared to solder. (Its all going in a project box where none of the wiring will be really moved at all.)

[nerdyrcdriver]

I have been soldering since 6th grade (freshman in college now). I haven't had any issues with inhaling fumes before, but I am probably going to propose a fume extractor for work when the company I work for moves to a newer building

 

As for tips for soldering, 

 

1. Lead free solder is a PITA because it requires such a high temp to melt (though it shouldn't be hard with a 100w or 140w gun)

2. For DIY stuff that is with thin wire/pcb get a 50w adjustable station like this http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-21-7945-/21-7945

3. Get something like 60/40 solder (or whatever combo you like best)

4. Get a set of helping hands (or 3rd hand). Also, a panavise comes in handy. You can find similar products for $15 on amazon. 

http://smile.amazon.com/Bessey-BVVB-Vacuum-Base-Vise/dp/B0057PUR88/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1428983637&sr=8-8&keywords=vise

 

or some sort of simple clamp. These come in helpful while soldering to switches and stuff, or just for holding wires so you can tin them easier. Just make sure to not get super strong ones. You don't want them to break what they are holding

http://smile.amazon.com/WorkShop-83896RP-4-Inch-Spring-4-Piece/dp/B00J4DGA9O/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1428983679&sr=8-10&keywords=clamp

 

5. get soldering flux. The liquid is awesome, but goop works well too, its just a little messier (but cheaper). 

[TheKDub]

I have been soldering since 6th grade (freshman in college now). I haven't had any issues with inhaling fumes before, but I am probably going to propose a fume extractor for work when the company I work for moves to a newer building

 

As for tips for soldering, 

 

1. Lead free solder is a PITA because it requires such a high temp to melt (though it shouldn't be hard with a 100w or 140w gun)

2. For DIY stuff that is with thin wire/pcb get a 50w adjustable station like this http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-21-7945-/21-7945

3. Get something like 60/40 solder (or whatever combo you like best)

4. Get a set of helping hands (or 3rd hand). Also, a panavise comes in handy. You can find similar products for $15 on amazon. 

http://smile.amazon.com/Bessey-BVVB-Vacuum-Base-Vise/dp/B0057PUR88/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1428983637&sr=8-8&keywords=vise

 

or some sort of simple clamp. These come in helpful while soldering to switches and stuff, or just for holding wires so you can tin them easier. Just make sure to not get super strong ones. You don't want them to break what they are holding

http://smile.amazon.com/WorkShop-83896RP-4-Inch-Spring-4-Piece/dp/B00J4DGA9O/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1428983679&sr=8-10&keywords=clamp

 

5. get soldering flux. The liquid is awesome, but goop works well too, its just a little messier (but cheaper). 

 

How about solder with flux already added to it instead of solder and flux separate?

[MeltingPoint]

How about solder with flux already added to it instead of solder and flux separate?

Almost all solder for electronics work already has a flux core but it is very hand to have separate flux.

 

There are times when you need to apply a little more flux  when the joints are a bit oxidized. 

 

And also, try using 63/37 solder. Its way better than 60/40 especially when you don't have a helping hand. It solidifies almost instantly so you don't get cold solder when you move the joint while cooling.

[MeDownYou]

as long as you don't routinely breathe it in you shouldn't have any problems.

[nerdyrcdriver]

How about solder with flux already added to it instead of solder and flux separate?

 

I find that having separate flux can be very useful in certain situations. Especially if you are using a thicker wire than usual. Flux in solder helps, but having it already coated on the wire makes everything go super easy. The only downside is that it produces a ton of extra smoke and it is easy to make everything look burnt if you keep the heat there too long. The liquid stuff really only takes like a drop for most connections. The goop stuff takes a little more, but it hard to get just a little bit of that anyway. 

[nerdyrcdriver]

Almost all solder for electronics work already has a flux core but it is very hand to have separate flux.

 

There are times when you need to apply a little more flux  when the joints are a bit oxidized. 

 

And also, try using 63/37 solder. Its way better than 60/40 especially when you don't have a helping hand. It solidifies almost instantly so you don't get cold solder when you move the joint while cooling.

 

I will have to get some 63/37 solder. Never used it before (to my knowledge), but it sounds way better. One of the things that I frequently have to solder at work is very tricky to get everything still long enough for the solder to cool and solidify nicely.

 

 

I haven't tried this yet, but it looks handy for soldering to a pcb. But it might not dispense solder fast enough.

 

[GuruMeditationError]

 I think prolonged exposure to industrial fumes and similar can cause problems in later life: i.e. chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

 

As far as I know the affects are cumulative and the symptoms worsen as the body ages.

 

Really and truly you should try and avoid inhaling stuff like that. :0/

 

I'm not sure if there are exceptions or if some stuff is worse than other stuff, or how bad solder fumes are specifically (if at all) or how much of all of it you need for it to have a noticeable effect, I just try and avoid inhaling as much crap as I can just as a matter of course. :0/