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

[matt holland]

SMD assy or rework is a skill that can be learned, but some are more adept
at it than others and some are so good at it they get paid to do it all day
long. One thing I've noticed is those that are best at it always seem to be
people of small stature. Maybe smaller hands and fingers are an advantage.

My own skill seems to vary proportionally with my patience, and of course
inversely with the amount of caffeine in my system. But really, amazing
things can be done w a solid iron, hot air station, stereo microscope, lots
of flux, and fine tipped tweezers.

mh





On Jul 18, 2017 5:03 PM, "David G Dixon" <dixon at mail.ubc.ca> wrote:

> Well, the key is WHY it is frustrating.  First of all, I have dropsy -- I
> drop every component at least once, it seems, on my lap or on the floor.
> Drop a TH part, no big deal.  Drop an SMD part, and it winks out of
> existence in this part of the universe and ends up in Captain Janeway's
> minestrone.  Second of all, I don't see all that well close up anymore.
> Third, I have never ever made what looked like a decent looking solder
> joint on an SMD part.  My TH joints look like perfect little shiny
> volcanoes.  Fourth, I have a system for TH work which makes it go extremely
> quickly.
>
> The bottom line is that I can spend more time trying to install a single
> SMD resistor on a board than it takes me to stuff the whole board with TH
> resistors.  And when I'm done, the TH resistors will look perfect and the
> SMD resistor will be at an ugly 30-degree angle to its pads with solder all
> over it.
>
> SMD was developed for robots.  I don't feel a need to hone a skill to
> compete with a robot, thanks.
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Tom Wiltshire [mailto:tom at electricdruid.net]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 18, 2017 4:18 PM
> *To:* David G Dixon
> *Cc:* 'Elain Klopke'; '*SYNTH DIY'
> *Subject:* Re: [sdiy] Need help with a SMD kit (OT?)
>
> It's only frustrating until you get some good at it. then it can be quite
> rewarding to do something that you initially thought was impossible. That's
> pretty much the definition of learning any new skill, isn't it?
>
> Tom
>
> ==================
>        Electric Druid
> Synth & Stompbox DIY
> ==================
>
>
> On 18 Jul 2017, at 22:23, David G Dixon <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 [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at synth-diy.org] *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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