[sdiy] Need help with a SMD kit (OT?)

[Tim Ressel]

I'll do simple prototypes but bigger projects with lots of fine pitch 
parts I send out for fab. I wanna keep what little hair I have left...

--timbo


On 7/18/2017 4:16 PM, Quincas Moreira wrote:
> right on
>
> On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 6:10 PM, <rsdio at audiobanshee.com 
> <mailto:rsdio at audiobanshee.com>> wrote:
>
>     Sure, it's not that hard. I have soldering tweezers for SMD
>     resistors, capacitors, and even ICs up to 14-pin. But at a certain
>     point you reach diminishing returns. There is time and money
>     invested, and I'd rather save my time and money for things that I
>     cannot pay someone else to do. I make a whole lot more progress
>     towards my electronics goals by avoiding 99% of SMD work.
>
>     I will admit that it's good to spend some amount of time honing
>     the skills. I recently designed a board with an optional op-amp
>     that ended up performing worse than a straight connection.
>     Fortunately, I design the PCB with traces for a SMD jumper so I
>     could remove the op-amp and still connect the signal directly. I
>     did that rework myself, because removing an 8-pin SMD and adding a
>     two-conductor 0-Ohm resistor was a cinch. So, there's a balance
>     between doing a lot of manual SMD versus just hitting a couple of
>     parts for a quick mod.
>
>     Brian
>
>
>     On Jul 18, 2017, at 3:57 PM, Quincas Moreira <quincas at gmail.com
>     <mailto:quincas at gmail.com>> wrote:
>     > Oh, c'mon it's not that hard, just takes some getting used to!
>     I've only done the Ornament and Crime so far, but I'm looking
>     forward to more :)
>     >
>     > On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 5:17 PM, <rsdio at audiobanshee.com
>     <mailto:rsdio at audiobanshee.com>> wrote:
>     >> Same here. I just pay shops like Printed Circuits Assembly
>     Corp. or Schippers & Crew to do SMD work. They have all the tools,
>     microscopes, and experience. PCA will also do rework, which I take
>     advantage of when replacing a component with more than two leads.
>     >>
>     >> I realize that not every city has multiple assembly shops, and
>     some don't even have one, but these services are becoming
>     available remotely. Advanced Circuits (4PCB.com) offer services
>     where they'll make the PCB and stuff the parts for you. Not sure
>     about the prices there, but it's got to be cheaper than buying the
>     tools yourself and losing money every time you make a mistake.
>     It's probably a bit difficult to get a kit made, but it's worth
>     requesting a quote.
>     >>
>     >> I once needed a pull-up resistor added to a 144-pin DSP, and
>     PCA asked if they could use any size resistor. I agreed, and when
>     it came back, the flying wire and resistor were so small (0201)
>     that I couldn't see them. Saved me from spinning the board for
>     that one change, and also saved me from the risk of ruining one of
>     only two prototypes that I had.
>     >>
>     >> Brian
>     >>
>     >> On Jul 18, 2017, at 2:23 PM, David G Dixon <dixon at mail.ubc.ca
>     <mailto:dixon at mail.ubc.ca>> wrote:
>     >> > This post sums up why I simply will not do SMD by hand. 
>     Not... worth... the... frustration.
>     >> >
>     >> > From: Synth-diy On Behalf Of Elain Klopke
>     >> > Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2017 12:16 AM
>     >> > To: *SYNTH DIY
>     >> > Subject: [sdiy] Need help with a SMD kit (OT?)
>     >> >
>     >> > Hey list,
>     >> >
>     >> > I bought the Elements diy kit from Synthcube and managed to
>     get all the surface mount components attached using solder paste,
>     a tiny syringe, and a hot plate. Everything melted nicely and I
>     only burnt the solder mask a bit because I wasn't quick enough
>     getting it off the hot plate, but the copper traces appear to be
>     still attached to the board so I'm not too worried.
>     >> >
>     >> > And then the problems started. I let the board cool down and
>     then started going about eliminating solder bridges on a couple of
>     the ICs. I cleaned up one side of the microcontroller and then
>     made the other three worse. I got one chip that was a little
>     crooked seated properly and then another popped free and I
>     couldn't get it resoldered.
>     >> >
>     >> > I've stepped away from the kit so I don't do more damage or
>     throw it against the wall in frustration.
>     >> >
>     >> > Is there anyone experienced in surface mount soldering
>     (preferably in the US) that would be willing to fix this mess for
>     me. I'm way out of my depth and am willing to pay postage both
>     ways and a fee for your time.
>     >> >
>     >> > Thanks in advance.
>     >> >
>
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>
>
> -- 
> Quincas Moreira
> Test Pilot at VBrazil Modular
>
>
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-- 
--Tim Ressel
Circuit Abbey
timr at circuitabbey.com

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