Building a solder fume extractor so I can stop ingesting lead

As much as I care about air quality and health, I've been doing a poor job of ensuring it for myself when I solder. In this video, I build a solder fume extractor that I purpose-design for my space. Hope you enjoy!
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[@mortwilliams7371]

let's get the story straight. You are NOT ingesting Lead fumes from soldering. Lead does not start giving off 'fumes' until the temp is well over 450 Celsius. The fumes and smoke are predominantly from the Rosin. (which is all bad in itself...really bad). What we do have in soldering is 2 main components, the smoke and the fumes. The smoke is mostly particulate matter, so a HEPA filter is the best to take care of that component. Fumes, well Carbon filters do the job for that, however, most of the little cheap filters you see have a carbon filter that is useless. Hold it up to the light, if you can see clearly through that impregnated mesh, then fumes go straight through it too, sort of like trying to stop flies using chicken wire... Use a proper granulated, activated carbon filter. If you use a combination of the HEPA and carbon filters then all is goodness!

[@4nlimited3dition_4n3d]

To add to that, lead doesn't actually have to vaporize to end up in the air you breathe. " When heated, lead forms lead oxide fumes. If the solder contains lead, the melting process can release fumes that contain toxic lead oxide nanoparticles. Inhaling the fumes can add to lead accumulation in the body which can cause both acute and long term illness. "

[@flappingflight8537]

The temperature of soldering isn’t enough in order to produce lead or any other metals fumes . Fume extractors protect you against inhalation of fluxe fumes .

[@4nlimited3dition_4n3d]

Lead doesn't have to vaporize to end up in the air you breathe. A quote: " When heated, lead forms lead oxide fumes. . If the solder contains lead, the melting process can release fumes that contain toxic lead oxide fumes. Inhaling the fumes can add to lead accumulation in the body which can cause both acute and long term illness. "

[@Adrian_Galilea]

Hey, very nice product What is the hose you used? where did you get it? diameter? Thanks!

[@ericnepean]

The behaviours you are describing aren’t symptoms of lead poisoning. The fumes from soldering are from the soldering flux being heated to boiling point, and can cause occupational asthma. The fumes from the rosin flux used for lead solder is the traditional problem, but fluxes used for lead free solder contain additional chemicals which are even less good for your lungs. A fume extractor is a very very good idea for hand soldering operations. But one does have to make sure that chemicals are not simply returned to the room air - they should be absorbed by the extractor’s filters or vented outdoors.

[@azmrblack]

Your not ingesting lead - lead and tin don't vaporize until over 750 degrees. The smoke being generated is rosin fume, and it is just as bad. Your little invention is quite ingenious - you chose the right filter (same kind of filter is used in large fume extractors), and it works basically the same way. If you can get the airflow to always hit the filter and no leaks, you got a good DIY extractor there sir! PS - if you want more airflow try a centrifugal blower.

[@Guishan_Lingyou]

Came here just to say what you already said. Thanks for sharing actual facts.

[@4nlimited3dition_4n3d]

Though there are also safety reports which mention that heating leaded solder does release nanoparticles into the air which include toxic lead oxides. It doesn't have to be vaporized in order to become airborne and end up inhaled.

[@1fareast14]

5:17 "these all suck" ... they certainly do *rimshot* Like you said, this makes the most sense if you have to do another amp, for smaller stuff a usb fan and filter sponge do fine.

[@alexandernava9275]

The CDC or whoever suggests not touching it directly either. I just wear gloves/use none lead based solder.

[@ThomasComputes]

"But lead is good for you"

[@alexandernava9275]

@@ThomasComputes Lead is good to stop solder whiskers lol

[@REXXSEVEN]

World Health Organization....The Who

[@alexandernava9275]

@@REXXSEVEN Like I said 'Who'ever lol

[@ojustaboo]

The boiling point of lead is 1749C/3180F. I openly admit I don’t know what I’m talking about and everything I’m saying is based on various electronic/university/government etc web sites. I’ve always believed that as lead doesn’t boil until it’s far far hotter than a soldering iron would get it, I don’t need to worry about lead poisoning. From what I’ve read today, that isn’t as straightforward as most of us would think and lead oxide can be produced and in haled when soldering. That said, I would be more concerned about the flux. Of course it could be argued that if you’re soldering all day, the lead gets to be more of a concern, but then again in that situation, so does the flux. One thing I read about lead free solder (again info from the web, can’t vouch for authenticity) “Inhalation of dusts and fumes may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Inhalation of freshly formed metal oxides may cause metal fume fever, a brief (24-48 H) flu-like illness. Inhalation of tin oxide may cause pneumonia.” I wish there was a more absolute easy to read document from a trusted site that gives the exact information about the dangers of leaded v unleaded soldering inhalation dangers for electronics (and one for plumbing etc) While a completely different thing, I lost both an uncle and a good friend a couple of years ago, both around 70 years old and both in very good health up until they got ill with exactly the same thing. Can’t remember the name, but both died from working with asbestos. My uncle worked with it when he was around 15 for a few months, likewise my friend worked with it for a few months in his early working life. Both were told that was the cause and the damage can (and did) lay dormant for decades. Both could have easily (and at the time totally correctly) said when they were 60, “I worked with asbestos, didn’t do me any harm at all.” We have far more easily available information now than just a few decades ago, even if you can’t afford to get a decent fume extractor, open a window, buy a cheap fan and have it blowing the fumes away from you towards the window. No window, buy a proper face mask with filters on, they don’t cost much. Doing nothing is simply not worth the risk when it’s so cheap to eliminate it.

[@lukasz_sarnacki]

It is probably the first diy guide I watched that mentions hepa, nice! Normally people use active charcoal filters which don't help much.

[@soksereytao]

Good project! It does sucking in dust along side the smoke. I'm sure you can improve it over the time.

[@wcr6121]

19:55 notice the monitor loses power then turns on

[@MiguelGuatemala]

Buen proyecto, pero demasiado ruido

[@armaanshaikh9882]

Wow, look at Thomas man. So inspirational

[@go5582]

Hi handsome. Great video. More video.