<div dir="ltr"><div>I can recommend this solder paste for prototyping:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/product/solder-pastes/loctite_gc_10.html">https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/product/solder-pastes/loctite_gc_10.html</a></div><div><br></div><div>Very happy with it from personal experience. No clean, no lead, and shelf stable at room temp.<br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:44 AM Steve via Synth-diy <<a href="mailto:synth-diy@synth-diy.org">synth-diy@synth-diy.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<div>Benjamin Tremblay via Synth-diy:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre>I don’t have much money for electronics. My purchases come in drips. $15 or $8 here and there.</pre>
</blockquote>
SMT variants of ICs are already cheaper than DIP ones<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre> I’m using a fat chisel tip on my soldering iron because I don’t have budget for a new set of tips.</pre>
</blockquote>
I solder LQFP chips with my trusty 3mm chisel from my Weller-HOBBY
station for 70 bucks or so from 10 years ago.<br>
I also solder 0.1mm copper wire pieces to individual QFP pins (0.5mm
pitch) with that tip. It only is in the way in very crowded
situations, where I wish I had a 1mm chisel instead of 3mm (I don't
really like the cone ones like we have at work), but that's so rare
I have not bothered buying one.<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre>I’m low on solder.</pre>
</blockquote>
What can I say. That's a problem ;) It doesn't have anything to do
with lack of DIP parts, which probably need more solder than SMT
counterparts, going through hole and all.<br>
(ok, when sloppily drag-soldering, maybe not)<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre>I’m not going to have capital for tools and pcb fabrication. I never will.</pre>
</blockquote>
Have you looked at the prices at e.g. JLCPCB? Large PCBs tend to
cost extra, forgot at what size they consider it large,<br>
but a single digit amount of USD for 5 or even 10 smaller PCBs,
double sided, ... If you are patient, shipping is not expensive<font size="+1">. <br>
</font><a href="https://jlcpcb.com" target="_blank">https://jlcpcb.com</a><br>
The 2$ they state there is, IIRC, only for the first order.<br>
Do you actually get PERFBOARD that's cheaper than that? I doubt it.
You could, thus, at least try their first offer ;)<br>
They'll probably also throw in a coupon for SMT assembly when
signing up for the first time.<br>
The fact that higher numbers of the same are cheap is nice for Synth
DIY modules - get 5 VCAs or what have you.<br>
With screwed-on controls, you'd maybe not even need PCBs as big as a
typical module (remember, big PCB = expensive)<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre>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.</pre>
</blockquote>
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)<br>
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.<br>
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.)<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre>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.
</pre>
</blockquote>
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 ;)<br>
"Do over" doesn't sound right. Removing some excess solder with
wick-drenched flux works in a second.<br>
Possibly, your solder is too large in diameter i.e. feeding too
much, for SMT stuff.<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre>Electronics will never be about gear or toys or well-stocked shelves above my tidy workbench. </pre>
</blockquote>
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.<br>
I don't think it is a luxurious setup. I have been using SMT as much
as possible for many years.<br>
Because it's cheaper. Boards get cheaper when smaller, also.<br>
<br>
<br>
</div>
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