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Setting up a soldering area

Jewelry Discussion
#1

My husband is building a small studio for me and I am curious what
is generally the most common way to solder - standing up or seated?
I realize there is preferences, but all the soldering I have done is
standing at a bench that is much too high for me at the college.

Also, this room is in what was the laundry room so the water heater
and furnace are in there. Should he soldering area be at least 6
feet from these? And should I also have a ‘wall’ of thin steel as a
backdrop around the soldering bench area?

thx
brenda

#2

Hi

I solder in an ex laundry. The surrounding area and bench are
covered in galvanized metal sheet I bought and cut to size.

The soldering bench is next to the sink great for quenching burns
and metal.

I have an exhaust fan mounted above the bench.

Also the fire extinguisher is on the door frame so in a disaster I
can get it on the way out of the room.

I assume the water heater and furnace are gas. Ask the local fire
brigade, and tell them you give discounts to emergency services/first
responders.

Richard
Xtines Jewels

forgot to mention I sit down to solder.

#3

Brenda, I say sitting and staying comfortable! I would not worry
about the water heater and washer, they will be more of a bother to
you, than you to them. Have fun!

Dave Leininger

#4

Brenda - soldering sitting down is more stable. The colleges use the
standing version - I’m not sure why, probably for annealing vessels.
When I built my new studio, I set up the soldering separate from my
bench because I learned at a college, not a jewelers training school.
They are different. My early studios had a stove exhaust hood over
the soldering, in this one, I had a galvanized hood made which turned
out to be remarkably cheap - $78. I use a table covered with a piece
of outdoor Hardy board - a cement fire-resistant material. On that I
have a couple of fire bricks covered with more hardy board. When the
hardy board gets icky, I can throw it out - it’s not expensive and we
had a lot of scrap from building our house. I don’t see the need for
steel around the soldering station, maybe for a fume hood. And if you
are really restricted in space, a protected area might be a good
idea. Just don’t forget the ventilation - it will save your lungs
and life.

Judy Hoch