Placing SMD resistors by hand - what do you use? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: miceuz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 10:07:19 pm
content: Whenever I tear the plastic cover tape from the resistor reel tape, the majority of resistors end up on the table bottom up. How do you deal with that?The tweezers are not thin enought to get there and grab 0603 resistor. I've seen Mikes video on the topic - spilling them on paper and tapping it to randomize sorta works, but is not sufficient for me. Any thoughts?

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 10:09:05 pm
content: If you tap the resistors on one edge with the tip of the tweezers they will flip over. I do loads of hand surface mount and it's not been a huge issue.The tweezers aren't thin enough for 0603 resistors? Sounds like you need better tweezers. I don't have any problem with mine.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 10:13:38 pm
content: Vacuum pen (foot operated) is WAY faster when you have a few from each tape.It's an even bigger advantage for polarised parts.

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 10:18:04 pm
content: Get yourself some 5A tweezers! Even if they fall down on the table upside down the 5A tweezers can easily manipulate them.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 10:24:33 pm
content: ..but you still can't reliably pick direct from tape with tweezers - the gap isn't big enough

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 10:35:08 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on September 10, 2013, 10:24:33 pmThat is true, I usually just let them fall into a bin I have on my bench and tweezer them from there.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 11:41:09 pm
content: We use the "stick the tapes down to a plate and use a vacuum pen" method as shown in Mike's video and that's working well for us.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 11:42:33 pm
content: I have the Erem 7-SA tweezers. Today I used it for placing a couple of 0201 sized resistors (no, not metric). I keep components in small plastic boxes with lids so its easy to pick them up with tweezers.

author: MacAttak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 02:53:53 am
content: Spend 45 cents more and buy twice as many, then just throw away the half that didn't land right-side-up.

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 03:01:57 am
content: Quote from: MacAttak on September 11, 2013, 02:53:53 amThey are certainly cheap enough!

author: komet
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 04:34:41 am
content: Quote from: miceuz on September 10, 2013, 10:07:19 pmBang your fist on the table hard. I'm not kidding. It might not work if your bench is too solid.

author: SparkysWidgets
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 05:25:12 am
content: Mike is spot on,I have a SMD soldering video where I talk a bit about this and link back to Mikes video where he showed me the wayshttp://youtu.be/z7Tu8NXu5UAI recently found some small reel stands that work very well now to a way to make them myself!and if you are more into solder paste and reflow here is another videohttp://youtu.be/DpgOYNB1Kng

author: miceuz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 05:54:16 am
content: Can anyone recommend a vacuum pen with sucktion tips small enough?

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 06:58:32 am
content: Quote from: miceuz on September 11, 2013, 05:54:16 amI'd have to double check, but I'm pretty sure my guys use a hollow needle (end ground) with no cup.

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 07:04:49 am
content: Correct. This is the type you are looking for.http://www.edsyn.com/index.php?Mode=piw&pn=EDN-K1

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 07:16:13 am
content: Quote from: kayvee on September 11, 2013, 07:04:49 amLook harder.If you use a microscope (and with SMD, you really want to), you want needles with an angle in them. I don't recall where I got mine. Filing the end of a straight needle might also work, but I haven't tried. +1 for double sided tape and a foot switch.

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 07:37:53 am
content: Quote from: JuKu on September 11, 2013, 07:16:13 amDepends on the tool to place resistors and small caps.For quick and dirty, a good pair of tweezers.For my knock-up XY table with vertical rotating hand operated head with footswitch vacuum, I used those listed.Bigger IC's, yes a hand tool with angled shatf and cups.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 07:44:08 am
content: I just take them from the tape onto a jar lid upside down and then tap the lid gently. That's only because my workbench is very sturdy and it wont vibrate enough if i slam the table with my fist. For plasement i prefer XY-7-SA tweezers from Xytronic (or pointy curved tweezers anyway).

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 08:22:03 am
content: Quote from: miceuz on September 11, 2013, 05:54:16 amHere's how I turned a thrift-store nebulizer into a vacuum pickup toolwith about five minutes effort. A large-bore hypodermic needle ground flat works well without a suction cup.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 08:24:48 am
content: For larger needles and cups for QFPs etc. buy one of the cheap, useless manual tools from ebay just for the tipshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IC-SMD-Easy-Pick-Picker-Up-Hand-Tool-Vacuum-Sucking-Pen-/180673031279?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item2a10f3ac6fThese also make good donor pens for adding a tube for a proper vac pen.For smaller sizes for picking 0603s and below, use stainless dispensing needles and bend them yourself.