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05-29-2017, 04:59 PM | #1 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 55
| Alternative to Soldering
Hello, I had a severe reaction (asthma) to some soldering and I am trying to figure out how to proceed in this hobby. Electronics is not a subject that I am knowledgeable in, hence my question. Is there ANY way to secure/attach two wires together other than soldering? I did have an evac system. A homemade system that was made from a 5 inch fan going thru 4 inch dryer hose, which evacuated out a window. This appeared to be working correctly as you could easily see the smoke being drawn thru the system. Also, none of my friends solder. To stay in this hobby I am willing to try anything. My first thought, (I can see everyone cringe at the thought now) is to use some sort of wire nut and electrical tape. Yes, I hate the thought of something like this, but I do not want another breathing scare, and I definitely do not want to give up this hobby. Thank you. |
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05-29-2017, 05:05 PM | #2 |
MODERATOR™ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ohio
Posts: 18,928
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
Bummer. Higher speed fan? But that'd cool your joints… I tend to not breathe when I solder. High speed fan and hold your breath! |
05-29-2017, 05:06 PM | #3 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 3,196
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
a good soldering station will mitigate 99% of your problem, there should be minimal smoke while soldering...mine takes less than a couple seconds to make a good solder joint.. a normal soldering iron or pistol grip soldering gun will cause a lot more smoke in my experience..
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05-29-2017, 05:16 PM | #4 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Deep in the Everglades
Posts: 5,818
| Alternative to Soldering
Easiest way is a chem respirator, like painters wear. Not expensive, I use when airbrushing everything . http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-u...s=avg_rating|1 These are 1/2 face, full face if smoke gets in your eyes Hang up and Drive |
05-29-2017, 11:15 PM | #5 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 83
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
I have a friend who is keen on tube electronics and he made a diy forced air mask to save himself from the solder fumes.. Just a small fan blowing through s tube and into his mask (he removed the filter and stuck the tube in the opening).. Very easy to make I guess and works good for him since he uses the soldering iron A LOT..
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05-30-2017, 06:08 AM | #6 | |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Dells
Posts: 697
| Re: Alternative to Soldering Quote:
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05-30-2017, 06:28 AM | #7 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Deep in the Everglades
Posts: 5,818
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
It usually the flux that smokes and irritates, rather than the actual solder.Flux is the key to soldering, don't skimp Hang up and Drive |
05-30-2017, 06:29 AM | #8 |
Pebble Pounder Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Conowingo
Posts: 144
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
Soldering will be the best connection but they do make some nice crimp connectors that are nearly as good when done correctly.
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05-30-2017, 01:25 PM | #9 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 55
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
Thank you to all who took the time to reply. I do have a good soldering station….it’s my soldering skills that need upgraded. lol My plan so far is: 1. I borrowed another 5 inch fan to put on the end of the hose. Now I will have one “pulling” while the other is “pushing” the air thru. 2. I am looking into a chem respirator that I can afford. I am also considering the forced air mask. 3. I will be trying different solder/flux as I am getting low on my supply. I am sure that one or all three of these will work for me. If I still have a problem, I did find some wire connectors that might work. I know the connection will not be as good, and it will add weight and maintenance, but I don't see any other way around this. Thanks again everyone. |
05-30-2017, 01:47 PM | #10 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Santa Maria, CA
Posts: 1,751
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
Look into "solder paste" it is basically solder that's in powder form, mixed with flux. Most of them have a lower melting temp so you can use a heat gun. It's harder for me to use in a tight space or with pinpoint accuracy, but it may be a better option for your use.
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05-30-2017, 02:05 PM | #11 |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Alternative to Soldering |
05-30-2017, 06:06 PM | #12 | |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Deep in the Everglades
Posts: 5,818
| Alternative to Soldering Quote:
I've used "LACO flux and solder together" paste.... really smokes as it has so much flux, best product for tinning wire though. Hang up and Drive | |
05-30-2017, 08:40 PM | #13 |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: In the Sticks in the Ozarks
Posts: 940
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
I've set-up a "paint-booth" for models, with a fan in a window and a cardboard box as a hood, to pull the paint fumes away from you and out of the house. Maybe you could do something like that for soldering. |
05-31-2017, 12:07 PM | #14 | ||
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Alternative to Soldering Quote:
Quote:
Or you could use a bad mechanic's best friend. Just kidding. Do NOT use these in RC. | ||
05-31-2017, 12:28 PM | #15 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Roseville, Ca
Posts: 2,506
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
Try this first, since it's cheap and might be enough. https://m.lowes.com/pd/3M-2-Pack-All...rators/3370626 |
05-31-2017, 01:07 PM | #16 |
I joined the Band! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Right Here
Posts: 380
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
I use those everyday.... Or you could use a bad mechanic's best friend. Just kidding. Do NOT use these in RC. [/QUOTE] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
05-31-2017, 04:38 PM | #17 |
Rock Crawler Join Date: May 2016 Location: SoWIs
Posts: 618
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
I'd just recommend different flux & solder. Kester makes some of the best stuff out there. Look for 63/37 electronics solder with "no-clean flux", or get flux-free 63/37 and Kester 951 no-clean liquid flux. Their 951 no-clean flux has virtually zero smoke or smell when soldering; in liquid form it's akin to alcohol mixed with acetone. It also leaves virtually no residue vs rosin flux. The only down side is it won't work well on heavily-oxidized wire. It usually takes 15+ yrs for wire to get that bad, though. Another no-solder option are crimp connectors from 3M. Most hobbyists will say crimping is a no-go, but consider that wire past 10awg is virtually always crimped outside the r/c world. Crimps are the only connections allowed on the NASA Orbiters, space stations, etc. Same for military & aerospace applications, solder rarely exists beyond PCB's. Makes you wonder how the multi-thousand volt/amp power lines stay connected if crimping sucks. The problem is 10AWG crimps usually aren't rated for the 200A+ some large-scale vehicles require, but 30-50A for 1/10th scale is doable with a good crimp. |
05-31-2017, 08:39 PM | #18 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Corpus Christi
Posts: 336
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
If you want to skip the solder, then try out some power pole connectors. You'll need the special crimper for them also. I used to use them before I became comfortable with soldering. They actually work really well. The only downside I had was on my short course truck they would sometimes melt due to the extremely high amp draw. On a crawler you don't need to worry about that. You can find them at most electronics stores, and usually cheaper than what an lhs might carry. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk |
06-01-2017, 03:03 PM | #19 | |
Rock Crawler Join Date: May 2013 Location: Dallas
Posts: 680
| Re: Alternative to Soldering Quote:
https://workmanship.nasa.gov/lib/ins...20Splices.html Last edited by DrewHammer; 06-01-2017 at 03:06 PM. | |
06-03-2017, 02:51 PM | #20 |
Rock Crawler Join Date: May 2016 Location: SoWIs
Posts: 618
| Re: Alternative to Soldering
I'm not simply referring to repairs, I'm also talking about the individual pins w/in the connectors at the end of looms where they connect to components. The vast majority in apps with large temp ranges, particularly those with high temp ranges, will see an almost exclusive use of crimped pins. Milspec connectors come in both a solder and crimp terminals. Just because solder specifications exist doesn't mean it's the preferred method. "the heat from the soldering process work hardens the copper and then the wire is subject to breakage from vibration, thats why the shuttle uses crimps. soldering is not used on aircraft for this reason" source: retired A&P mechanic. An example that's a bit closer to home is automotive wiring. 99.9% of all automotive wires are terminated in a crimp, mostly for different reasons but also including the one cited above. The auto mechs I've discussed this topic with almost unanimously agree crimps are better, although in some very few examples some ECU's reacted poorly to crimp repairs on extremely sensitive signal wires. Those were unamplified mV signals though, scale servos conversely have no issue with 3.3v signals despite being designed for 5v. As far as shadetree repairs go, I've dealt with countless people with wiring issues that resulted from their poor soldering jobs. A solder joint can look bad but be good, or look good but be bad. A crimp can be tested very easily, give it a yank nearly enough to tear the wires - the crimp should be stronger. |
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