[jwr]

Use a higher temperature and plenty of flux (I like flux pens), and you'll be fine.

Leaded isn't actually a significant health risk for you, so you might as well go with that. It's not like you are going to breathe in lead. It's a problem for the environment in general, and you do not want to consume it, but it isn't that unsafe. A bigger problem is that you should never use leaded solder to repair boards that have been soldered with lead-free, which means pretty much every board out there that has been manufactured in the last 20-30 years or so.

[giantg2]

I agree. The rosin/flux comprises the majority of the fumes. It's still a good idea to have ventilation.

I have a setup in my garage with a vent fan connected to a dryer vent and a rubber flexible hose I can put near the solder station. I also hook it up to my 3D printer enclosure if I'm doing ABS.

[phaer]

> A bigger problem is that you should never use leaded solder to repair boards that have been soldered with lead-free, which means pretty much every board out there that has been manufactured in the last 20-30 years or so.

I am unlikely to every try this, but curious: Why is that, what would happen?

[jwr]

It results in unreliable joints that will cause problems over time.

[Kirby64]

Source? If you’re doing board repairs and adequately clean the previous components then I see little reason why adding leaded solder to the very small amount of remaining lead free solder would be a problem. If you have a full lead free joint and then add a bit of leaded solder, sure… but how many people are doing board repairs like that?