I went with a $20 syringe of no clean solder paste. I find I can put adequately controlled dobs of paste on 0805,SOIC,SOT-23 pads by hand. The dobs merge together during soak anyway and then split back apart during reflow. It's neat to watch.
I use a skillet at 220 deg F for soak and a hot air gun for reflow. My buddy doesn't bother with the heat gun, he just cranks the temp all the way up on the skillet and gently lifts the board after reflow. Both methods seem to work fine, but both take a few tries to get comfortable with. One day we'll make a toaster that does the whole profile thing.
Good luck!
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, toftat@... wrote:
>
> OK folks, I have decided to take the plunge into building PCB's with SMD
> components. I have been putting this off for about 3 years now, but the
> availability of new parts in through hole configurations is undeniably
> reducing.
>
> Having watched many youtube videos, it seems the most important part of
> the process is the flux, however, having never bought flux outside of flux
> cored solder, I am at a loss for what I should be looking for in a flux.
> It appears that while no-clean flux has the appeal of not needing a clean
> up step, activated solder is easier to use. Should I be looking at a
> liquid or paste flux?
>
> I realize that there are probably as many opinions about this as there are
> list members, but I would like to draw on the experience of the group and
> hear suggestions...
>
> Thanks
>
> Anthony
>