[sdiy] SMT?

[Rob]

"jap stacking", as you call it, can be more of a problem than a solution if
you don't use some sort of conformal coating or insulation..

Those lil suckers can touch one another and you won't be able to easily see
it and could destroy your project completely, taking hours upon hours of
troubleshooting. Actually had this unfortunate turn of events happen to me
once.. I ended up so frustrated, I tore the board down and repopulated,
making *sure* to put all the leads in one direction and using shrink on the
leads that were questionable.

I can also only think that the polarization of the resistors standing up
could act as little antennas. Also, too, building upward is not always an
option either where space is a premium.

OTOH, when things like this happen with smt, you just rewet the solder
joints around where you suspect the problem is, and usually it goes away, or
changes, then you at least know where your problem lies.

BTW, rarely have I had to use anything more than a headset magnifier, but,
with 20/400 vision, I have a built in microscope.. I just take my glasses
off and I can see atomic activity. ;))

Like I said before: smt resistors have a *huge* advantage, as do trannies,
standard opamps, and caps (only the monos and mica caps usually are devoid
of labeling, all the others are easily identified).. Pricewise, its
definitely worth every bit of effort.

Other ICs, otoh, I wouldn't bother with trying to make it a big issue trying
to find a cross ref in the smt world.

Anything that cuts back on drilling and snipping makes me happy. ;)

So, can't we have the best of both? Or is this another religion type of
argument?


CyborgZero Technologies
www.angelfire.com/il/cyborgzerotech
AIM:cyborgzr0 <--- that last thing is a number
repairs/mods/retrofits


> one known in the USA as "jap stack"...  named after the billions of
transistor
> radios
> sent to our shores !!! This is mounting the resistors vertically, hairpin
style.
> I'll bet if
> I pick this technique I'll give the SMT a run for the money !!!