[sdiy] SMD experiences

[Justin Owen]

-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Smith [taciturn_unquiet at hotmail.com]
Received: 09.09.2011 02:03:49

>I was wondering about everyone's experiences with SMD work. Smaller pcbs are less expensive after all...

I was given a load of good advice on this in October 2010 - it'll be archived under "Starting with SMT hand-soldering"

To summarize:

Get a decent iron with a suitable tip. I prefer chisel tips but it's partially personal preference.
Get a decent magnification/illumination set up. I got a magnifying lamp with a nice clear light and a swivel base/head that lets me sit comfortably with my work where I need it - others prefer head/visor mounted lamps.
Get a flux pen - use it.

The biggest adjustment I found was laying out PCBs - as others here have pointed out - you need to be much more aware of heat dissipation and you need to be a bit more careful about noise and coupling/decoupling.

I've been using 0805, SOIC, SOT-23 and DO-214 parts. With the right tools and some good advice - the jump from PTH was much easier than I thought it would be.

This video helped too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NN7UGWYmBY - although I still chuckle when I hear Americans say solder. :)

HTH,

Justin