Homebrew PCBs

I've found that a very fast and reliable way to solder SMT 
resistors is as follows:

a)  Make a simple hold-down, e.g.,  from a block of wood 
and a bent piece of wire.  The wire is attached at one end and
bent so that the other end presses firmly on the top surface 
of the wood:

  
       _______    Wire
      /       \    hoop
     /         \
    /          |
    |          |
    |          |
 +--+---------------------+
 |                        |
 |     Wood block         |
 |                        |
 +------------------------+

(The wire can be pushed into a hole, or screwed
to side or top of the the block.  Or to your bench...
It's best if the wire has a flat end (use a file) rather
than a point.)

b) Now place the circuit board and the resistor under
the free end of the wire, using the wire to hold the
resistor exactly where you want it:

                | |       <-- Wire end
                | |
                |_|
              +-----+     <-- Resistor
              +-----+
            ====   ====   <-- copper pads
      +------------------
      |////////////////// <-- board
      +------------------
  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX <-- wood surface
  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

c) Now you have both hands free to apply
solder and soldering iron in the usual way.  A fine
the (roughly the dimensions of the resistor/pad at the
tip) is necessary.
 
Mike Cowlishaw