[sdiy] Starting with SMT hand-soldering

[Adam Schabtach]

> 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 have links to several helpful videos on my blog here:
http://studionebula.com/blog/2010/07/24/some-videos-on-smt-soldering

I'm a big fan of SMT for DIY. Once you get the hang of it, it's much faster
than through-hole work. If you're etching your own PCBs, you don't have to
drill holes for SMDs. If you're having your PCBs commercially fabricated,
SMT can achieve higher component densities and hence lower-cost PCBs.

Regarding the couple of comments about a microscope: it would be nice to
have one, but I manage with a Luxo lamp--one of those with the big
magnifying lens and the circular bulb.

--Adam