SMD Kits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 04:42:49 am
content: Hi,I have been looking to get some SMD kits to practice my SMD skills, which are decent, but some practice would surely help. Does anyone know of any of these that have 0603 at the smallest?

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 06:02:44 am
content: 0603 and bigger SMD resistors/caps/diodes ect are easy, just two pins, fairly well spaced, cheap, easily inspectable, there is almost nothing to gain from practicing on these.If you wish to practice on passives, try fine pitch resistor arrays with 4x resistors in a 1206 package or 0402s ectIf you want good useful practice, try things like DFN/QFN, 0.5mm pitch QFP, SOT-23-8, TSSOP. If you can do these you should have no issue with most other things.Also, when I say they're easy, I mean after you have done 5 can can do them until the cows come home. That is of course you're not feeling shaky/giddy/whatever, some days just aren't good for soldering.I hope this post doesn't sound like bragging or whatnot, because it isn't intended to be - Seriously, if you want useful practice, practice on those.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 11:01:08 am
content: This one seems like an ok kit:http://www.proto-advantage.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=400014

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 05:18:57 pm
content: Of course there's nothing like throwing a SMD board design together, perhaps a couple of useful circuits, and go have it made and practice on those. The parts are super cheap (for run-of-the-mill passives) and you can tack on a few PITA footprints, like DFN or QFN (there are many accelerometers that only come in these PITA packages). The up shot is that you have a few chips you can hook up to a uC and play with as well!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 05:23:48 pm
content: Quote from: idpromnut on February 16, 2014, 05:18:57 pmNot a bad idea. Good practice for my severely lacking board design skills as well. And holy hell, SMDs are cheap.Quote from: peter.mitchell on February 16, 2014, 06:02:44 amI am aware, but I thought 0402 kits would be hard to come by since almost no one has an interest in dolering those. I can do TSSOP just fine, and have tried a few QFPs, generally with acceptable results.

author: madworm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 09:06:43 pm
content: I have onesmd kiton tindie, that has DFN10, 0402 (bi-LED version), 0603 :-)Be warned, it is challenging :-)And to program it (Attiny13), you'll need a pogo-pin adapter, which is also on there.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 03:40:53 am
content: Quote from: neslekkim on February 16, 2014, 11:01:08 amTake a look at this if you are just interested in practicing soldering. I bought 2 and am having fun practicing my smd soldering.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electronic-DIY-Kit-SMD-Components-Solder-Practice-Plate-for-Training-/281134843051?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4174f144abMuch cheaperand does give a variety.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 03:48:38 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 16, 2014, 05:23:48 pmMaybe put a project on Tindie? I'm sure thinking about it.Just wait till you try some 0402's though. It pays to have magnification- they are crazy small. Of course with a decent iron and a good tip they shouldn't be too hard. The fun part is when you lose your tweezers and have to solder them on!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 04:29:52 am
content: Huh. maybe a small, simple education board such as a 555 timer board

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 08:07:56 am
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on February 17, 2014, 03:40:53 amGreat!, ordered

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 05:21:10 pm
content: Quote from: neslekkim on February 17, 2014, 08:07:56 amOrdered 2. One for my reflow oven, and one for hand practive.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 10:54:12 pm
content: Oh yeah, scrap boards from companies are always good soldering practice. If you can get blanks from people that is great. I know sparkfun sells their reject boards ($0.25 a pop), I picked up 12 the other day and most of them have a variety of surface mount components. And actually, a lot if them look like good boards, so hopefully I can get something useful from them.