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

[paula at synth.net]

Interesting debate, 

My tuppence if I may. 

Soldering a 16 pin SOIC of TQFP is far quicker than a through hole 16
pin DIL. Unsoldering either can be a nightmare if the board has large
power/ground planes 

For prototyping I'm happy to do boards with around 200 parts, but for
more than 3 or 4 boards I would always outsource. I have the same
problem with through hole, its BORING doing the same board 10 times (I
did this with the monowave, 30 of them with 1500 solder joints on each,
never again! 

I personally love the challenge of making boards small, in my current
work project I've taken a board that was 100mm by 80mm, shrunk it to
63mm by 26mm, and now shrunk it to 30 x 14mm, I'm using QFNs and 0402s
(with the odd 0603 that I couldn't get in 0402) and a couple of 0201's
to try (just 0ohm jumpers). I've also reduced part count and cost
significantly in the process. It's really not hard, but and I'll say it
again, for more than 4 or so, I'd outsource it (same would be true if I
did a through hole board). 

I think a lot depends on your intended market and purpose, for work, it
needs to be small, as small as small can be, if not smaller. But if
you're making things for home and you're happy with through hole, stick
with it :) 

What I also like about the SMD world is the diversity of parts :) 

Just my tuppence worth 

Paula

On 2017-07-19 00:18, Tom Wiltshire wrote:

> 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. _______________________________________________
> Synth-diy mailing list
> Synth-diy at synth-diy.org
> http://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy

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