[sdiy] Opinion poll - Through Hole ~vs~ SMT

[Tom Arnold]

On Thu, Jun 07, 2012 at 09:45:07AM -0400, Harry Bissell wrote:
> What technology would you like to see new DIY projects in (as in PCBs you would stuff yourself)
> 
> SMT or Through-hole ?
> 
> SMT would be no smaller than 0603 resistors and no fine pitch ICs

I actually prefer SMT hand assembly over thru-hole if you use large parts like 1206s,
yes I know this negates some of the space savings of SMT but its Really Easy To
Solder even with your normal thru-hole tools and except for most of the parts not
being labeled I find it faster to stuff a board like this then do it thru-hole as
you dont need to stuff then flip and solder then trip, you just solder and solder
and solder.  SMT parts are cheap as sand too.

When the SMT parts get smaller, I have no problem dealing with them but you start
needing many more specialized tools and doing things like turning off that fan.
Still not a problem but I guess it'd depend on the skill level of your targets.

-- 
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