[sdiy] Starting with SMT hand-soldering

[blacet at blacet.com]

This is good advice, although I would suggest using 331 solder and get a
331 flux pen (Kester makes these). You can then clean up with warm water.

I got an AmScope stereo microscope which is just fine for the job for
about $100.

> I do rework of small external storage boards with smaller parts than
> 1206.  Get two irons with hot pencil tips plus one iron that is heavier
> duty
> with a wide blade tip.  Get some liquid rosin and find someone that sells
> seringes that can hold it.  Get smallest solder you can find.  Lead based
> will work best but you may be forced to use leadfree.
> Get a stereo microscope if you can.  Cheap crap one is probably fine.
> No need to bother with parts glues or pastes.
> Get some good fine point stainless steel non magnetic tweezers.
> At this point it is just go ahead and solder the stuff.
> You'll be amazed at the control you have while looking through
> a microscope.  Use the rosin ahead of time on multipin chips
> and the solder will just flow where it needs to go.  Then clean off
> with a flux cleaner spray.
>
> Barry
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Justin Owen
> Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 10:41 AM
> To: Synth DIY
> Subject: [sdiy] Starting with SMT hand-soldering
>
> Hey again,
>
> I'd like to try my hand at laying out and hand-soldering an SMT board and
> thought I'd stop in here to see what advice I could get from those that
> have
> done it.
>
> I figured I'd start with 1206 parts but I might get some 603 bits just to
> check the form, I'll stick with my current iron until I know it's not
> suitable but I might get a decent magnifying glass on a stand, I've
> checked
> YouTube for a few tutorials...
>
> ...anything else? I'd be particularly interested in any advice with
> regards
> to laying out the board - if there is any.
>
> Ta much,
>
> Justin
>
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