Hi everyone. I'm new here and have probably taken on a pretty big project for my first one but I am determined and am working with my partner together on it.
Anyways, my question is about soldering stuff to my Arduino Uno (and more); specifically any safety equipment needed. I've read that soldering fumes (mainly from the flux) are pretty nasty to breathe in so I wanted to get a respirator as I will have to work in my bedroom due to lack of space, and this room is poorly ventilated. I've heard the 3M 7502 to be good, pretty much the same price as the 6200 and is comfier and will last longer (apparently). Although I'm not sure what filter to get:
6059
6075
I've read that most flux fumes are formaldehydes, therefore the 6075 would deal with that, but it doesn't deal with any potential inorganic, acid gasses, ammonia or methylamine that might be present (mainly the first 2 in this case) which the 6059 deals with (but it doesn't deal with formaldehydes).
Just in case, here is the site detailing the masks and filters, near the bottom under "Cartridge Filters": http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/444511O/3m-respiratory-product-selection-guide.pdf
Anyone know which to suggest or is it not that big a deal? Would you also suggest an extractor fan to blow smoke out the window, or with this mask is it not a big deal so long as I open the windows?
I would tend to say that the room is either poorly ventilated, or it is not.
If you have a window, then that is the primary focus of your efforts. You want an extractor fan sitting next to your soldering point, ducted to the window. An 8 inch computer fan would be a good start, or a 2 by 2 matrix of smaller fans. Possibly another fan on the other side to divert the smoke plume as it rises so that it does not rise directly into your face.
I will not say that a respirator mask is excessive, but it will be inconvenient. As I have never smoked, I am uncertain to what extent my respiratory problems are caused by two factors, smoke plume from soldering (very little nowadays) and many years exposure to vaporised human tissue.
Hmm, fair enough. They are pretty expensive (especially if they aren't completely necessary) at about £25 for mask and 1 pair of filters. Luckily I have a 15 cm (6 inch) PC case fan lying around so I suppose if I get a cheap laptop power supply and cut off/solder the wires to the 3-pin connector I could use that at a fraction of the cost.
Don't worry, you'll get your third arm growing out of your chest and get some faith if you stick with 60/40 long enough. Maybe you need to help the process along by smearing some Miracle Gro on your chest.
