The solder is flowing...

Hooch · December 13, 2003, 06:51:02 PM

Anyone addicted to the smell of solder? Been working on my project today and I must say this hobby can be addicting. So far I got my holes drilled in the box (everything fit nicely) Got my perfboard cut down to size and I am about 25% through. I didn't realize the time it would take to do a perfboard layout and populate the board! But I'm having fun and that's all that matters. Back to soldering!!!!

petemoore · December 13, 2003, 07:44:00 PM

Like...what are you up to and what is it you're building>

ExpAnonColin · December 13, 2003, 07:53:31 PM

I've got soldering down to an art, as long as I have the PCB. I populated a fuzz jade PCB in about 10 minutes the other day

Is solder really bad for you?

-Colin

Peter Snowberg · December 13, 2003, 09:49:19 PM

Quote from: anonymousexperimentalistIs solder really bad for you?

Yes, unfortunately solder is quite bad for you. Wash your hands after soldering, try not to breath the fumes, and don't use it as a dessert topping.

For more, read this thread: (It's not pretty)
http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=16159

Take care,
-Peter

drew · December 13, 2003, 11:25:01 PM

I'd like to get a solder-sucking filter/fan. But I dunno where to start.

I know I can get ductwork at the hardware store. Where's a good filter and fan assembly to use? I will be soldering a lot in a bit so it would be nice to know. I huffed a little "no-clean" fumes yesterday putting together a patch panel and remembered that other thread where everyone discussed how bad solder was

drew
www.toothpastefordinner.com

Peter Snowberg · December 14, 2003, 12:16:40 AM

If you can get the fumes into a pipe and outside, you don't have to worry about a filter. Most hardware stores sell "booster fans" for use in long ducts. I can't give you a direct Home Depot link because of the way their system works, but go to http://www.homedepot.com/ and type duct fan in the search box. The 4" unit should be fine.

If you can't take the fumes outside, then you want to get a really good activated charcoal filter made for soldering. "Solder Fume Extraction" is the operative search term. Here are a couple results:

http://www.rapidelectronics.co.uk/products_xytronic2.htm
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7506

Take care,
-Peter

smoguzbenjamin · December 14, 2003, 05:33:41 AM

Quote from: Peter SnowbergFor more, read this thread: (It's not pretty)
http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=16159

Holy Shit!
If I read that thread correctly I am going to gradually become stupid because of building stompboxes! And people seem to think that I'm smart because I half-understand the electronics involved! By the time I'm 30 I'll have lost every ounce of smartness in my brain! :shock:

I even posted in that thread but sortof forgot it after that... :?

Peter Snowberg · December 14, 2003, 06:01:15 AM

There is at least some good news here.... The amount you get exposed to while building pedals is fairly small.

If you do production soldering it's quite a different story. Electronics has been my hobby and profession for about 28 years now and I spent a long time with my iron on all day long. I know I've accumulated too much.

If you know about the danger, you can take simple steps to avoid the problems. If you're a guitar player that solders, you have very little to worry about. If you're a solderer who plays guitar, the risks are greater.

Be safe,
-Peter

smoguzbenjamin · December 14, 2003, 06:13:23 AM

Hmmm, I think I fit in the "guitar player that solders" category. Thank god... :lol: phew...

gez · December 14, 2003, 06:18:21 AM

Quote from: smoguzbenjaminHmmm, I think I fit in the "guitar player that solders" category. Thank god... :lol: phew...

Ahh, but only for now! A few more years of doing this and it'll suck you in! :twisted: (

)

smoguzbenjamin · December 14, 2003, 06:59:48 AM

Haha! I've been at this for 2 months (actually, this forum and GGG got me started) and I'm allready hooked, mate! It's just that I don't have the cash to go around building lots of stuff. Trust me if I had more money I'd be building 24/7! :mrgreen:

Hooch · December 14, 2003, 11:52:55 AM

I am building a ts808 clone with some "improvements" and a cleam boost all in one enclosure. I just hope I can get it working.

Bill_F · December 14, 2003, 06:11:30 PM

I just finished building a "fume sucker" for lack of a better name. I put two 12vdc fans in a wooden box with charcoal filters. I run the fans off the power in my computer. Seems to be working OK. I can't smell the solder any longer.

I got the idea from this unit that Farnell sold. http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/catalog/viewproductdetails.jsp;jsessionid=XXTFRZVU1EWT5QFIAEXSFE4AVAAS4IV3?prodId=501529
I built mine for less and it has two fans instead of one. So it must be twice as good, because as we know more is ALWAYS better. :lol:

smoguzbenjamin · December 14, 2003, 06:44:55 PM

Hey they've got some old 12V fans at school... Could build a huge "sucker" running off the 12V PS from the old PC's I'll be taking the fans off. Smart idea!

FX isn't the only thing you can use electronics for :twisted: I've got a plan for a remote controlled "Rocket launcher" which wil launch pencils or the likes... Still on the drawing board though

drew · December 16, 2003, 07:09:01 AM

Thanks for the link, Peter. I will head out and get some ductwork in a bit... My workshop is on the other end of the basement from the window outside, but I already have a vent outlet from the dryer, so I should be good to go... now all I need is thirty feet of ductwork

drew
www.toothpastefordinner.com

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The solder is flowing...