[sdiy] Starting with SMT hand-soldering

[jays at aracnet.com]

I find that a microscope works better than a visor or magnifier for me
(I'm over 50 though). If I can I take stuff to work and use the gear
there. Using a microscope and MetCal makes a big difference. At home I
have a visor and Weller.

Temp control soldering iron, don't go below 0805 parts, good tweezers,
thin solder (0.015 dia good, 0.02 dia ok) makes it easier to not get to
much solder down, lots of solder wick (narrow and thick), flux and lead
solder (I have no-clean, water soluble, rosin fluxes).

One thing I do to hold parts down is take wood toothpick, cut the point
end off with dykes and flatten the end with needle nose pliers. I put it
on the end of a resistor and hold it down while soldering it.

Also practice a lot before you do something for real. SparkFun has some
practice boards and other places have simple projects for sale that
might work for you.

Good luck.
Jay S.