4 ms·

Can I use this for soldering?

Majestic121 1y ago
Since they don't make it anymore and that filters are extremely pricey, it's probably not a good solution here
imglorp 1y ago
a fume extractor can just be a length of dryer vent hose and a big PC fan. filter not needed if it goes out a window. if you do use a filter make sure it captures metal vapor, which is unlikely with a regular hepa filter.
- exmadscientist 1y ago
  Soldering does not generate metal vapor. Soldering fumes are burnt flux residues, which are often acidic and quite nasty. Laser cutting or engraving makes even worse fumes and requires seriously good filtering. I personally think they're nasty enough that it is irresponsible to just dump this stuff outside into the environment without cleanup but it's certainly better than breathing it.
  - unshavedyak 1y ago
    > Soldering does not generate metal vapor. Seeing as a lot of solder is lead based i imagine this would be a huge safety concern if it did create lead vapor.
    - fsckboy 1y ago
      liquid lead has a vapor pressure (it was easy to google) but at what temperature or sustained duration it would be dangerous I don't have the background to assess. in terms of duration, heavy metal poisonings are cumulative over time.
  - fsckboy 1y ago
    back when I was a young electronics hobbyist, back in the days when there was still lead in solder, man I loved the smell of flux burning off! I've never noticed any ill effects, but there is still time for me to get emphysema or lung cancer.
  - Our_Benefactors 1y ago
    Why does laser cutting or engraving make fumes? Please educate me. I would have assumed cutting wood was a relatively harmless process.
    - driverdan 1y ago
      It burns the material it cuts.
      - Our_Benefactors 1y ago
        Oh right. Duh
ibaikov 1y ago
I use a different air purifier, a pretty basic xiaomi one. There are two downsides: it is quite big (I don't mind really) and it can be loud at a high speed. I host movie nights with friends and sometimes someone might even smoke in the room, air purifier clears the air quite fast and there absolutely are no odors left. So yeah you can and if you solder or 3d print often, I'd suggest to get one, they don't cost much. I'm not allergic and air here is basically always perfect - 1-5 ppm, but I still love it. It does filter out allergens and people allergic to pets find it easier to breathe (I have a dog). It also lowers amount of dust a bit, and I have an automation to run it on full speed when robot vacuums floors, I think it might help filter some stuff out. I wish there'd be a way to put activated carbon packs inside somehow, because I'd love to change it more often than the full filter.
dnemmers 1y ago
I’ve used something like this to help with soldering fumes: https://www.vevor.com/fume-extractors-c_13369/vevor-38w-desktop-solder-fume-smoke-extractor-3-stage-filter-86-63m3-h-suction-p_010909255840 https://www.vevor.com/fume-extractors-c_13369/vevor-38w-desk...

Since they don't make it anymore and that filters are extremely pricey, it's probably not a good solution here

a fume extractor can just be a length of dryer vent hose and a big PC fan. filter not needed if it goes out a window. if you do use a filter make sure it captures metal vapor, which is unlikely with a regular hepa filter.

exmadscientist 1y ago
Soldering does not generate metal vapor. Soldering fumes are burnt flux residues, which are often acidic and quite nasty. Laser cutting or engraving makes even worse fumes and requires seriously good filtering. I personally think they're nasty enough that it is irresponsible to just dump this stuff outside into the environment without cleanup but it's certainly better than breathing it.
- unshavedyak 1y ago
  > Soldering does not generate metal vapor. Seeing as a lot of solder is lead based i imagine this would be a huge safety concern if it did create lead vapor.
  - fsckboy 1y ago
    liquid lead has a vapor pressure (it was easy to google) but at what temperature or sustained duration it would be dangerous I don't have the background to assess. in terms of duration, heavy metal poisonings are cumulative over time.
- fsckboy 1y ago
  back when I was a young electronics hobbyist, back in the days when there was still lead in solder, man I loved the smell of flux burning off! I've never noticed any ill effects, but there is still time for me to get emphysema or lung cancer.
- Our_Benefactors 1y ago
  Why does laser cutting or engraving make fumes? Please educate me. I would have assumed cutting wood was a relatively harmless process.
  - driverdan 1y ago
    It burns the material it cuts.
    - Our_Benefactors 1y ago
      Oh right. Duh

ibaikov 1y ago

I use a different air purifier, a pretty basic xiaomi one. There are two downsides: it is quite big (I don't mind really) and it can be loud at a high speed. I host movie nights with friends and sometimes someone might even smoke in the room, air purifier clears the air quite fast and there absolutely are no odors left. So yeah you can and if you solder or 3d print often, I'd suggest to get one, they don't cost much. I'm not allergic and air here is basically always perfect - 1-5 ppm, but I still love it. It does filter out allergens and people allergic to pets find it easier to breathe (I have a dog). It also lowers amount of dust a bit, and I have an automation to run it on full speed when robot vacuums floors, I think it might help filter some stuff out. I wish there'd be a way to put activated carbon packs inside somehow, because I'd love to change it more often than the full filter.

dnemmers 1y ago

I’ve used something like this to help with soldering fumes: https://www.vevor.com/fume-extractors-c_13369/vevor-38w-desktop-solder-fume-smoke-extractor-3-stage-filter-86-63m3-h-suction-p_010909255840 https://www.vevor.com/fume-extractors-c_13369/vevor-38w-desk...