[sdiy] To SMT orNot to SMT.. that is my question

[charlie wallace]

some of the cheaper usb microscopes have terrible lag and low
resolution, we tried them for teaching classes and it can be as bad as
5 seconds even 1 second is hard to deal with.

amscope have a little scope for under a $100, they list at 90$ but
i've gotten them to go down lower, they're usually similarly priced
worldwide.

http://www.amscope.com/se303-p.html though watch out for the direction
of the head, some prefer the the R layout.

on the SMD side of things, i've put both sets of component layouts on
a PCB before, for parts that i can. so you can choose to make it TH or
SMD when you populate it.


On Fri, Dec 20, 2013 at 10:40 AM, Michael Bachman <bachmanm50 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Although our tech does all the SMT by hand, looking through a
> stereoscope, I have friends that use a USB magnifying camera and a 7"
> LCB monitor.  I tested this out and it works great.  Much easier on
> the eyes and you have much more freedom of movement.
>
> So use that old outdated PC, pick up a cheap monitor and shell out $40
> for a USB magnifying camera..that and a good fine soldering tip and
> you're golden. (also, liquid rosin is the key for those fine pitch
> parts)
>
> On Fri, Dec 20, 2013 at 11:54 AM, Randel Osborne
> <randel at redshift-consulting.com> wrote:
>> I recently started using an Oster electric skillet and infra-red heat gun to
>> do SMT soldering, and am very pleased with the results. I think that it is
>> simpler and cheaper than a toaster, and seems to result in less melting of
>> plastic connectors.
>>
>> -Randel
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Dec 19, 2013, at 9:35 PM, Michael Bachman <bachmanm50 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> OK, I just spent the last year working on a analog sound card.
>>
>> It was at the point of needing a revision.. so I did it.. in SMT.
>>
>> Now I am wondering if this was a mistake..(and big waste of my Holiday
>> vacation)
>> Can your average DIYer build and SMT board?
>>
>> The smallest part is a SOT23, resistors and caps are 1206, the ICs are
>> all SOIC.. no fine pitch.
>>
>> I don't see any DIY kits out there in SMT.. they are all still TH.
>>
>> The size is nice, a 35% reduction  and SMT parts are more
>> prevalent..stuffing houses love SMT...but I am about to rip up the
>> whole layout and go back to TH.
>>
>> Opinions?
>>
>> Mike
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