Anyone live in an apt and also do small electronics work (eg. soldering?) if so

[bozack]

Where do you guys solder? I am trying to find a tray or something so that I don't risk the life of my dining room table, or some kind of folding workstation or anything really but seem to be comming up with ziltch, I really need to get something small that I can put in the garage of my townhouse when I move in and cannot find anything....any suggestions appreciated.

 

[royaldank]

I usually just cover the dining room table with a few layers of newspaper.

 

[woowoo]

Use cardboard or a serving tray.
Also crack a window to get some fresh air.
The fumes can kill you

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If you have a computer case with removable sides laying around, just slap one side on a table. The thick steel should be able to suitably protect most surfaces. If not, look around for a scrap piece of sheet metal or a computer that someone's throwing away. Sometimes you can find cheapo cases with power supplies for $20, get one, use the side, and enjoy having a free power supply and some raw materials for case modding projects.

 

[RS3RS]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
If you have a computer case with removable sides laying around, just slap one side on a table. The thick steel should be able to suitably protect most surfaces. If not, look around for a scrap piece of sheet metal or a computer that someone's throwing away. Sometimes you can find cheapo cases with power supplies for $20, get one, use the side, and enjoy having a free power supply and some raw materials for case modding projects.

Yup. I use the side panel off of an old 200 mhZ computer for all of my soldering jobs, works like a charm

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: royaldank
I usually just cover the dining room table with a few layers of newspaper.

holy fire hazard batman.

I was mainly concerned about runining my flooring and or carpet should the iron fall or an accident, also the possibility of ruining my diningroom table, in the new place it won't be a major issue as I can do the work in the garage.

Thanks for the suggestions though, looks like I can just get a nice small folding table and use that with a clamp on vise or something.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Given a large piece of steel, the heat disappation charactaristics MIGHT (I'm not going to try this out, and neither should you) provide some long term "the iron was left resting in a pool of solder on the surface" protection for most irons.

 

[Maverick]

I tried the newspaper thing and created scorch marks on my coffee table. The case side panel idea seems like a good one though...do that.

 

[edro]

An old bath towel works great... also great texture to wipe your solder tip off with.

 

[virtuamike]

Carpet melts when you drop your soldering iron. I learned the hard way.

 

[woowoo]

Best soldering vise ever
http://www.panavise.com/

 

[nakedfrog]

I usually just use an old, beat-up coffee table that I got for free.

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: bozack
Where do you guys solder? I am trying to find a tray or something so that I don't risk the life of my dining room table, or some kind of folding workstation or anything really but seem to be comming up with ziltch, I really need to get something small that I can put in the garage of my townhouse when I move in and cannot find anything....any suggestions appreciated.

Another vote for newspaper, assuming we're talking about small electonics here and not pipes.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

You can find folding dinner/tray table things for like $8 at Rite Aid or Walmart I think

 

[cerebusPu]

Originally posted by: woowoo
Best soldering vise ever
http://www.panavise.com/

those vises look nice. which one should i get?

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: woowoo
Best soldering vise ever
http://www.panavise.com/

Concur. I have multiple heads for them. Use the circuit board holder often.