[sdiy] DIP LM13700 discontinuation

[Peter Pearson]

I can recommend this solder paste for prototyping:

https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/product/solder-pastes/loctite_gc_10.html

Very happy with it from personal experience.  No clean, no lead, and shelf
stable at room temp.

On Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:44 AM Steve via Synth-diy <
synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:

> Benjamin Tremblay via Synth-diy:
>
> I don’t have much money for electronics. My purchases come in drips. $15 or $8 here and there.
>
> SMT variants of ICs are already cheaper than DIP ones
>
>  I’m using a fat chisel tip on my soldering iron because I don’t have budget for a new set of tips.
>
> I solder LQFP chips with my trusty 3mm chisel from my Weller-HOBBY station
> for 70 bucks or so from 10 years ago.
> I also solder 0.1mm copper wire pieces to individual QFP pins (0.5mm
> pitch) with that tip. It only is in the way in very crowded situations,
> where I wish I had a 1mm chisel instead of 3mm (I don't really like the
> cone ones like we have at work), but that's so rare I have not bothered
> buying one.
>
> I’m low on solder.
>
> What can I say. That's a problem ;) It doesn't have anything to do with
> lack of DIP parts, which probably need more solder than SMT counterparts,
> going through hole and all.
> (ok, when sloppily drag-soldering, maybe not)
>
> I’m not going to have capital for tools and pcb fabrication. I never will.
>
> Have you looked at the prices at e.g. JLCPCB? Large PCBs tend to cost
> extra, forgot at what size they consider it large,
> but a single digit amount of USD for 5 or even 10 smaller PCBs, double
> sided, ... If you are patient, shipping is not expensive.
> https://jlcpcb.com
> The 2$ they state there is, IIRC, only for the first order.
> Do you actually get PERFBOARD that's cheaper than that? I doubt it. You
> could, thus, at least try their first offer ;)
> They'll probably also throw in a coupon for SMT assembly when signing up
> for the first time.
> The fact that higher numbers of the same are cheap is nice for Synth DIY
> modules - get 5 VCAs or what have you.
> With screwed-on controls, you'd maybe not even need PCBs as big as a
> typical module (remember, big PCB = expensive)
>
> I use what I can get, and that’s how I will carry on. I do happen to have a cheap soldering microscope, but no nifty tools to make smt convenient.
>
> My "nifty SMT tools" comprise a pair of "Weitus" precise pliers from
> aliexpress or so, and a bit of cheap no-clean flux. (I prefer fluid, with a
> droplet applicator similar to stuff for eye drops or so, not a pen that
> gets dirty, and is usually a bit big)
> I also have the ATTEN 858D+ hot air thing with a bunch of different
> diameter tips - don't use it often, because buying solder paste, to go that
> route, I do find too expensive / w wasteful, as that stuff goes stale
> quickly.
> I do have an optical  microscope, which I use infrequently, mostly for
> checking for tiny shorts and stuff. I managed without one for years before
> I saw the AmScope offer. (yes, it is very nice to have it.)
>
> I was able to tack a ram chip onto my Teensy the stupid way and I know every time I do it that way I roll the dice to see how many times I have to do-over until all the pins are properly connected.
>
> Watch SMT soldering tutorial videos e.g. by eevblog, and practise -
> perhaps with some of the cheapest fake parts from ebay, then they are good
> for something ;)
> "Do over" doesn't sound right. Removing some excess solder with
> wick-drenched flux works in a second.
> Possibly, your solder is too large in diameter i.e. feeding too much, for
> SMT stuff.
>
> Electronics will never be about gear or toys or well-stocked shelves above my tidy workbench.
>
> I have a very slim work bench that shares the working space with some
> 1980's...90's power suplies I got at ebay, an oscilloscope, soldering
> station and a fume catcher.
> I don't think it is a luxurious setup. I have been using SMT as much as
> possible for many years.
> Because it's cheaper. Boards get cheaper when smaller, also.
>
>
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