Tired, tired subject

Apparently you are also familiar with the Great Cornholio, too?

I am now.

I was following this thread - and just wanted to say a big 'Thank you' for the above comments about flux & q-tips....

I've been working with glass for maybe 8 years - and soldering various things (mostly electronics) for many years longer than that - but never really thought about 'how much' flux was really necessary.

For a couple of years I've been using the standard 'flux brush' with water-soluble flux - and had recently fitted some high-power extractor fans in the new studio to get rid of the flux fumes.

Following your comments, I've just spent a happy couple of hours soldering, using a q-tip to apply a very thin smear of flux, and being able to run the extract fans slow enough that I could still hear the MP3 player ! It's going to save me loads of flux, and lots of aggro

Many thanks sir - you're a scholar and a gentleman

Adrian West Cork, Ireland

>

Aw, shucks. 'Twern't nuttin.

One of the by-products from SG work is blood lead poisioning. After my own lead levels got way elevated, I was able to speak with a branch chief at the (US) Centers for Disease Control who was in charge of lead abatement. He firmly stated that the only way one could get lead into their system was through ingestion (swallowing) or inhalation of lead dust/particles. Lead does not enter the body transdermally. This guy is a MD with a specialty in public health, and I got to spend almost an hour with him talking about the lead poisioning issue.

He gave me some industrial hygiene tips, including avoiding inhalation of flux vapors. While flux itself has no lead in it, the boiling action of the flux picks up minisicule particles of solder as it melts and carries the leaden fumes right into your face. Therefore it follows that the less flux there is on your project, the less likely you are to have fumes.

C'mon now - don't be modest

Interesting

Good reasoning.

I have a couple of large ex-computer fans mounted through the studio wall - above the soldering bench. As they happen to be mains-operated, a standard lighting dimmer switch controls their speed.

Following the 'slap it on with a brush' approach, there were lots of flux fumes, splashes and spits.

Under the new regime (q-tips), there's no difference in solderability, but a lot less spitting and splashing - which can only be a good thing. I was soldering up a batch of little tea-lights - which consist of a back & two sides in standard mirror-glass. It was interesting that one 'dip' of a q-tip was sufficient to flux all the edges of the glass (probably 24" in total) - whereas before I was using a 'flux-brush-full' of flux for each piece of glass.....

Funny how you think you know the way to do something - then somebody comes along with a bright(er) idea !

Thanks Adrian

I like the Q-tip idea for applying flux, too. Thanks! I was also boiling flux like spattering bacon grease.

Michael

I have found with a great many people, their cutting improves when they stop trying to shove the wheel thru the glass.

**************** Haha! You guys are incorrigible. Thanks for a good laugh before heading off to bed.

Incidentally, got another 20 pieces cut on the Worden tulip lamp. At this rate I should be able to deliver about 30 more progress reports before it's finished.

Michael