Often times, in lab notebooks and textbooks, we all tend to skip over the safety section and onto the fun stuff. However, just this time, we need to realize the dangers of soldering.

When you melt solder, you are essentially melting lead, which is a toxin. The fumes can be held responsible for numerous diseases and disorders so it is only logical to protect yourself. I have written a simple guide on how to solder without hurting yourself or those around you.

First things first: always work in a well-ventilated room. Keep all windows open to allow the solder to escape. If you must, set up your workbench outside, away from dry leaves, grass, etc.

Soldering guns can cause severe burns, that’s why it’s important to wear relatively thick gloves that can defend your skin from molten metal droplets. Do not wear thin rubber gloves, as they will do nothing to protect you. Make sure they are thick enough!

Next, wear plenty of eye protection. I happened to have a pair of sealed aviator goggles which provide maximum protection, however regular lab goggles will suffice.

Most importantly of all, be sure to not inhale any produced fumes. I have a “Nanomask”, which works very well. Most doctor and surgeon masks aren’t protected enough to keep out solder fumes. Be sure to buy your mask from a reliable source like a hardware store (Lowes should carry them). You may need to make an inquiry about the strength of your mask.

Always have a safe place to put your soldering gun when not wielding it. The one I have came with a small stand, but I later upgraded to the spring holster built in to my helping-hands station. Soldering irons are extremely hot and can easily start a fire if touching the carpet, pile of papers, etc. Be sure to clean your working area of flammable materials before beginning to solder.

Finally, a sponge is always handy to clean your soldering gun after use. I find that putting a wet or damp sponge into a Radioshack project box works great.

You should not be afraid to solder, on the contrary, soldering is a wonderful skill to learn. You just need to take the proper safety precautions and everything should run smoothly.