SMD soldering kit - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 09:56:59 pm
content: Hi allI just want to buy this kit to practice my nonexistent SMD soldering skills.https://www.amazon.com/Gikfun-Welding-Practice-Soldering-Training/dp/B00VWB8F8K/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=smd+soldering+kit&qid=1579124681&sr=8-7Do I need some particular tools? Which soldering tips and so on...Cheers

author: grizewald
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 10:24:01 pm
content: Looking at the size of the SMD components, trying to put that together with a soldering iron would be considered masochism.What you need is a hot air station and solder paste.I have one of these:https://www.banggood.com/858D-220V-Hot-Air-Soldering-Rework-Station-Handle-Handle-Stand3-Nozzles-p-1129100.htmlJust check that it's wired properly inside before you use it. Oh, and that Banggood send you a 220V model and not a 110V one.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 10:29:45 pm
content: I regularly hand solder 0603 parts like that with a soldering iron and solder. Hot air is great for rework but has a tendency to blow small parts around and applying solder paste is a pain without a template. That kit looks like it's designed to practice hand soldering, it's my go-to technique for building only one or two of something.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 10:34:13 pm
content: 0603 are easy to solder by hand with a microscope or some sort of magnification. 0402 are also manageable, but not something I would put on boards designed for hand assembly.For a cheap, but very decent soldering iron I can recommend KSGER T12 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32945257770.html?spm=a2g0o.store_home.productList_1252031.subject_0)

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 11:04:22 pm
content: I've got this soldering iron:https://www.jbctools.com/2020200-sl2020-temp-controlled-soldering-iron-230v-product-469.htmlWhich tip do I need?

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 11:13:54 pm
content: I learnt & practiced on a few sets like this.Get some thin (0.5mm or smaller) solder wire and a set of good tweezers and some solder wick to tidy up any bridges. With 0.071 mm solder I get too much solder on the joint. I use a 0.5mm conical tip that came with the iron, but others swear by chisel tips.I currently use this for day-to-day SMD soldering:https://www.jaycar.co.nz/48w-temperature-controlled-soldering-station/p/TS1564https://www.jaycar.co.nz/stainless-steel-tweezer-set-esd-safe/p/TH1760https://www.jaycar.co.nz/1-5mm-goot-desolder-braid/p/NS3026I have a nicer iron too. but keep that for fine-pitch ICs, or sometimes use both at once to pick passives off.Oh, at my age a magnifying desk lamp is a must - I use a USB microscope for post soldering inspection sometimes.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 11:14:33 pm
content: Tip is really a matter of preference. Almost any tip may be used to accomplish the job.

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 10:33:49 am
content: I'm watching some random videos involving smd boards.What is the cream that is used at 2:18?Doesn't he need to add some soldering after removing the damaged component?I've seen that he uses hot air. Which temperature should be ok?Thanks

author: grizewald
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 12:13:37 pm
content: Quote from: Lucky-Luka on January 16, 2020, 10:33:49 amThe 'cream' is thick flux. Probably Amtech 559 which is excellent stuff.The problem with really small SMD stuff is that unless you are 20 years old with the eyesight to match, you will certainly need a stereo microscope to be able to see what you're doing. Once you have such a microscope, you can solder many components by hand with a soldering iron, but for removing multi-pin devices, you're still going to need hot air.There's normally enough solder left on the pads to not need any more adding. However, if the board is using lead free solder, I'd clean the pads afterwards and use leaded solder to complete the repair as it's so much easier to work with and requires lower temperatures.As to specific temperature settings, you won't generally find hard and fast numbers. This is due to several reasons: a cheap hot air station isn't going to be hugely accurate and also, it's not applying heat at a fixed point like a soldering iron and the actual heat achieved is going to be dependent on not only the heat setting, but the size of the nozzle and the distance from the circuit board. The type of solder (leaded or non-leaded) is important as well. Leaded solder melts at around 183°C while lead free solder melts at around 50°C more. So the best approach is to learn which temperature your particular hot air station and technique requires by experimentation.

author: agehall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 01:03:27 pm
content: Iron is fine for this size. What you do need though, is a good pair of tweezers and possibly some magnification. Even though 0603 are fairly large, I do prefer to work under a microscope or magnifying glass to make it easier.

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 01:23:15 pm
content: Any microscope to suggest?

author: grizewald
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 02:49:07 pm
content: Quote from: Lucky-Luka on January 16, 2020, 01:23:15 pmSomething like this:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32917429175.htmlI don't use a camera port, so my microscope does not have one. The articulating stand is pretty much essential, as is the 0.5X Barlow lens to extend the working distance and reduce the magnification.

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 02:56:29 pm
content: well, that would be overkill for my purposes.What about something like this?https://www.amazon.com/Microscope-Koolertron-Magnification-Rechargeable-Soldering/dp/B07ZD4CXGV/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_sims?ie=UTF8

author: agehall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 03:28:22 pm
content: Be very careful with those digital microscopes. Some may be fine for some purposes but you may experience lag and that would more or less make them unusable for soldering imho.If you are just starting out, get one of those lamps that has a ring of LEDs and a huge magnifying glass in the middle. That will get you started for cheap. Then if you find yourself doing this more and more, upgrade to a real microscope like the one suggested.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 03:28:59 pm
content: I use a $3 jewellers loupe. I can mostly do it by naked eye but I need a lot of light to read the numbers on 0603 resistors these days.

author: grizewald
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 03:32:22 pm
content: Cameras like that are fine for inspection after the fact but largely useless for soldering. Try soldering with one eye closed and you'll rapidly understand why not being able to see in three dimensions is a problem. Add to that the delay that agehall quite rightly points out and these cameras end up being far less useful than they look.

author: kizmit99
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2020, 03:35:03 pm
content: I learned/practiced SMD hand soldering with boards just like that (and other similar ones) -- BTW, I think you can find basically the same thing for about 1/3 to 1/2 the price if you look for them...As others have already said, the minimum you will likely need is:- fine solder (0.5mm or so)- flux - I've been using a flux-pen like this:https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/chip-quik-inc/CQ4LF/CQ4LF-ND/6227077and it's worked fine (probably not that exact brand/model, but something similar). Flux paste is also an option.- decent tweezers- some form of magnification (unless you have very good close/medium range vision) - I use a magnifying work lamp sort of like this one:https://www.ebay.com/itm/5X-Desk-Table-Clamp-Mount-Magnifier-Lamp-Light-Magnifying-Glass-Lens-Diopter/233172354254,I've also used something like this:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Lens-Lighted-Lamp-Top-Desk-Magnifier-Magnifying-Glass-With-Clamp-LED/311982205785,but without the light. In my opinion having the ring light is very helpful.If you're just trying to get proficient in SMD hand soldering, I would suggest you shouldn't need to invest in a microscope. Spend the saved dollars on getting more practice boards (it really doesn't take very long to complete them, and practice is what will make you better at it).Just my 2-cents...

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 09:49:47 am
content: Quote from: Lucky-Luka on January 16, 2020, 02:56:29 pmIf you opt for a digital microscope spend the extra money for HDMI .USB has a tolerable amount of lag but noticeable. You may not won't to spend as much as I did but I picked up a 42MP HDMI and the imaging is outstanding with no lag on the video.https://www.banggood.com/HAYEAR-HDMI-Digital-Industrial-Video-Microscope-Camera-100X-C-mount-Lens-56-LED-Ring-Light-For-Soldering-Repair-Stand-Holder-p-1605027.html?rmmds=myorder&cur_warehouse=CNI got Mine on promotion so it for US$164.49Just remember USB is going to be slow because of the data transfer rate. USB 1.0: 1.5 Megabits per second (Mbps) USB 1.1: 12 Megabits per second (Mbps) USB 2.0: 480 Megabits per second (Mbps) USB 3.0: 5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) where as HDMI 2.0 systems can transfer data at up to 18Gbps, up from 10.2Gbps in HDMI 1.4 .Huge difference

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 09:17:35 pm
content: Is it stereo?Do you use it to check everything is properly soldered or do u even use it while soldering?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 09:24:01 pm
content: It can't be stereo with a single camera and a simple video output.One of the best microscopes for hobby soldering is AmScope SE400-Z, which in the same price range, but you get an actual optical microscope. I personally use it for all my stuff and can highly recommend it. You may want to get the ring light while you are at it. The default LED light is very weak.

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 11:03:31 pm
content: I use mine while soldering. But it would naturally require a training of your hand eye coordination. Grated a binocular microscope would require less hand eye coordination. In my case I find a large screen easier to use because I found using binocular scopes in the past hard to look through for long periods of time. Also I like a wide field of view since I changed the lens that came with the unit . That way I'm not always loosing the iron . I'm not sure what the field of view on the SE400-Z is . ataradov could give you an idea about that.I also like the broader magnification range and the the ability to change lenses to further increase that range. I can also use it on a telescope and with a adapter I can use my K type camera lenses as well. I use mine for more than one application so it just made more sense to me .It comes down to personal preference and application.The point was in my previous post was if you opt for a digital scope ,choose one that has HDMI capability over just USB. VGA is another format that you could choose .Being analog it would also have no video lag compared USB but the resolution will be limited.

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 11:17:12 pm
content: do I need a particular LED light?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 11:21:07 pm
content: SE400-Z with 5x overall magnification field of view is about 1" or so. It is not huge, but plenty sufficient. More importantly working distance is huge (~ 6").I use this ring lighthttps://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016NBASBKIt is not designed to be mounted on SE400-Z, but it is possible to mount it.

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 18, 2020, 09:03:55 am
content: Do you think that this kind of solution is any good?https://www.conrad.com/p/zeiss-205116-9006-000-d-6-headband-magnifier-magnification-14-x-grey-1642606

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2020, 09:16:18 am
content: Quote from: Lucky-Luka on January 18, 2020, 09:03:55 amExcellent but not at that price !Get the same sort of design (headband) with swappable of flip down lenses and no light as they add unnecessary weight.Something like these but with a solid band instead of elastic:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnifying-Eyeglasses-Pretty-Lighted-Headband-Magnifier-with-5-Detachable-Lense/223850408977?hash=item341e862c11:g:vlwAAOSwG5teHHFU

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2020, 09:21:20 am
content: This thread is worth study before venturing into SMD and particularly the video in this post by the OP:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/so-surface-mount-it-is/msg1442590/#msg1442590It's not how most of us would use paste but you can clearly see it works pretty well.

author: kizmit99
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2020, 03:34:01 pm
content: Quote from: Lucky-Luka on January 18, 2020, 09:03:55 amAs tautech mentioned - the link you posted seems extremely over priced... The link he posted seems cheap enough to give them a try...My experience is that head mounted magnifiers cause me to become ill. They may work great when your head-down actually soldering, but (at least for me) when you look up to read the placement docs, or try to dig out the next component to place, the magnifiers are still in front of your eyes and the result (again, for me) can be *very* disorientating and leads (pretty quickly) to a feeling of motion sickness. Obviously the lenses can be flipped-up, taken off, etc - but doing (and remembering to do it) every time can quickly become quite annoying. Again though, at the price in the second link it may be your most cost-effective approach and worth a test.Just an observation, and only offered in an attempt to help - you almost seem to be wanting to spend big money on something. If your real goal is to simply get some experience and practice at SMD hand soldering, just spend a few bucks on a few kits and give them a shot. If the parts are too small for you to work with without magnification, at least you will have an idea of how much help you need, and whether it will just be magnification and light. I don't think it's been mentioned, but you also need fairly steady hands to pick up, place and actually solder the parts down - if it happens that you don't have the steadiness to accomplish that, then magnification isn't going to help much.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2020, 07:40:48 pm
content: Another good and cheap way to go is to get one of those helping handshttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Helping-Hand-Hands-Tool-Jewelry-Repair-Fly-Soldering-Iron-Clamp-Magnifying-Glass/400649836028But don't use it as it, it is trash. But if you modify it a bit, it becomes a very useful tool. I used this for months before I've got the microscope and it worked perfectly. And I still use it for some jobs. Sorry for the quality of the pictures.The only downside to this is that it really needs a lot of light. So if your environment is dark, I would get some of those car ring lights like therehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/80mm-COB-LED-Car-Angel-Eye-Halo-Ring-Light-Bulbs-Light-Rings-Decoration-White/263099470248?epid=2112352266orhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-COB-DC-12V-60MM-LED-Car-Motorcycle-Angel-Eyes15-SMD-LED-White-Ring-Light/231512530649and try to attach them to the metal part of the lens.I've actually got the lights, but never got to making them work.

author: hermitengineer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2020, 12:17:43 am
content: Quote from: grizewald on January 15, 2020, 10:24:01 pmThat depends on whether the package codes indicate metric or imperial. I do 0603 imperial pretty easily. Now, one time I accidentally clicked the wrong "buy" button and got some 0402 metric caps. Those cute little metallic grains of sand could sit between the pads of the intended 0603 spot without touching either pad. Using THAT size would be a bit of a challenge, even on correct pad sizes.

author: level6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2020, 12:32:57 am
content: For SMD I use an Amscope 7X-45X with double boom arm. I also use a 0.5X Barlow lens with this microscope to provide more distance between lens and work. With this configuration I have around 7.5 inches of clearance to work with. I also bought the LED ring light, which provides plenty of illumination. I can work with SMD for hours with no eye strain and total clarity.https://www.amscope.com/7x-45x-simul-focal-stereo-lockable-zoom-microscope-on-dual-arm-boom-stand.htmlhttps://www.amscope.com/0-5x-barlow-lens-for-sm-series-stereo-microscopes-48mm.htmlhttps://www.amscope.com/white-adjustable-144-led-ring-light-illuminator-for-stereo-microscope-camera.html