I've done 0603's .5mm pitch TQFP's, various leadless packages and even the tiny 1mmx0.6mm SSSMini2P that Panasonic makes diodes in. Surface mount is not hard for someone who is competent at soldering although high pin count fine pitch chips can sometimes be a little tricky to get properly aligned A radio shack iron probably won't cut it but a $60 iron works just fine. The only thing I don't think you can solder with a soldering iron is BGA
Paul Davis
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 23:23:35 +0000, Phil wrote:
> I think it boils down to what you are doing. I've never used
> reflow but plan to some day. There is something attractive about
> "baking up a board". :)
>
> I've had no problem with using an iron but have only done soics,
> 1206s and sot23s.
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "mdgolfbum" <jim@j...> wrote:
>
>> babada beem!
>>
>>
>> ok, that was fun.
>>
>>
>> since most of the discussion here centers around lithography and
>> etching it wasn't obvious that smt for newbies was on topic.
>>
>> so is there a preference for paste vs solder?
>>
>>
>> do most folks use irons or reflow?
>>
>>
>> i did find some pages by following the links section that were
>> useful.
>>
>> jtm
>
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