At 5:36 AM +1100 2/27/2003, Adam wrote: >Hi all, > >After a year or so, I've started playing around with my compact Macs again. >Top of my list of things to do is getting to work on the 69-odd bad solder >joints and four or so fried components on my Colour Classic that wants to be >a Mystic. > >To get the best possible repair quality and to hopefully make the whole >thing go by a bit quicker, I've decided to use some soldering flux for the >first time. I picked up a tube of Radio Shack (Non-Spill Paste) Rosin >Soldering Flux in the 1oz. tube, but am a bit wary of the warnings on the >back. For instance, when heated this stuff will "expose you to chemicals >known to the State of California to cause cancer." Scary stuff, but then >again so do cigarettes and you don't drop dead from smoking just one of >those.
I see you have a .au address so probably you haven't been to California. We had a voter approved piece of junk legislation years ago called Proposition 65 that was going to protect every one from toxics. It requires warnings on businesses where toxic exposure might occur. Guess what, pretty much EVERY business here that you enter has a sign warning you about possible toxic exposure. This includes cigarette smoke (or did), alcohol, cleaning chemicals. Basically they should have just posted those signs at the state line and saved everyone a bit of money. > >Anyway, what precautions should I take with this stuff? I've already decided >to do this outdoors, and was considering one of those funky filter masks, >though I'm pretty sure those only stop particulate matter and not vapours. I use a 2 inch fan blowing gently across my work area to clear away the smoke. Personally I always felt working over liquid lead seemed a bigger risk. I've done quite a bit of soldering over the years so I figure some protection is a good idea. If I was doing this as a job I'd be more concerned. Personally I don't think you need the flux. For curing cold solder joints I just like to heat up the existing solder and touch a little fresh solder to the joint. Remember to clean up the flux left on the board after it cools. Isopropyl alcohol is probably the best thing (is that toxic too?) -- Clark Martin Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting "I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway" -- Compact Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/>. Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Compact Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/compact.shtml> The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/compact.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
