[sdiy] SMD soldering video

[Seb Francis]

John Mahoney wrote:
> I just saw this video on soldering an SMD using solder wick:
>     http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/03/smd_soldering_video.html
>
> What I don't get is why the solder is being applied directly to the 
> wick, and I wondered if you could apply solder to the SMD's pins and 
> then wick off the excess. Seems like it might waste less solder, if 
> nothing else.

Lots of replies to this, but I'll quickly add the method I've found very 
easy and successful for fine pitched SMT parts (i.e. anything <1.27mm 
pitch).  Basically the solder is applied with the soldering iron tip only...

- First put plenty of *no-clean* liquid or gel flux on the PCB pads.

- Then place the component (gel flux is good as it helps to hold it in 
place).

- Load a very small amount of solder onto the soldering iron tip

- While gently holding the component in place, touch the soldering iron 
to each of the corner pins so the solder flows onto the pad and pin, 
then check component alignment

- Load a small amount of solder onto the soldering iron tip and drag 
steadily across the pins from one end to the other.  The flux will cause 
the solder to flow onto the pins and pads and not to bridge.

The trick is to use the right amount of solder on the iron tip - too 
much and you will get bridges which will need removing with a fine 
*no-clean* solder wick.

More details here:
http://www.burnit.co.uk/sdiy/index.php?page=4xd&subpage=soldering

Seb