Practicing basic SMD soldering, nothing fancy yet - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 11:44:38 pm
content: I have been practicing soldering SMD using some RadioShack 62/36/2 .022 from one of my previous lives and a T18-D16 tip. I am doing OK for the most part with 1206, but when I tried a couple of 0805, I did OK, but it seems both the tip and wire solder are a bit big.Do you think is just a matter of practice?Would it help to get a 1.2 tip (T18-S7 ?).What about finer solder?

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 02:45:30 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 07, 2016, 11:50:16 pmAny specific recommendations in that $100 sweet spot ?

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 02:57:12 am
content: The 1.6mm chisel should be fine to use for 0805 components unless you are working PCBs with very high component density, the solder however is IMO too large diameter to produce consistent joints - give smaller diameter solder a try, I use 0.35mm for 90% of SMD components and 0.56/0.71mm for large SMD or through-hole joints.If you're going to buy a hot-air station consider that you will potentially have to invest in additional consumables (liquid/gel flux and/or solder paste) depending on what you're working on

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 03:46:41 am
content: Quote from: Back2Volts on September 07, 2016, 11:44:38 pmYou also need to use flux, apply it liberality, at least at the beginning. Then clean the board. Search YouTube for 'drag soldering', one of the top results demonstrates it very well.From my experience a cheap s Chinese microscope from eBay is also very useful. You don't need magnification higher than x7 it so.

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 06:12:03 am
content: I used an optivisor - works great. Glass lens means flux spatter can be cleaned easily.Through the optivisor, you can see if the tip and pin size are dimensionally compatible (bit bigger or smaller is okay, overlapping 2 pins isn't...).Use thin solder. Solder should be around pin diameter, perhaps a bit thicker.Last point - look at how watchmakers sit. Very high table, elbows resting on table. Magnifiers close to object being assembled. Try to do the same. My table is regular height - so I lower my seat. Or sit on a box.Good luck.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 12:20:08 pm
content: Optivisor/microscope helps greatly.2331-zx flux pen is a must.My method is to:Solder one pad on each package on the pcbPut all the parts near their package on the pcbHeat the one soldered pad and place themUse the flux pen everywhere (unsoldered and soldered pins/pads)Solder all remaining pads and touch the one soldered padAll joints will be clean and shinyRinse flux off board / dry board

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 02:29:50 pm
content: Quote from: RobertHolcombe on September 08, 2016, 02:57:12 amAnybody know where to find finer solder wire in small spools or tubes ? All I can find is 1lb spools, which by my count I would not consume soldering continuously for the rest of my life

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 02:50:03 pm
content: Quote from: Back2Volts on September 07, 2016, 11:44:38 pmI documented my tools and experiences athttps://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/category/homebrew-pcbs/I've since got a hot air gun, which I use for desoldering and sometimes soldering individual components. To avoid unsoldering neighbouring components, I shield them with some 5mm wide adhesive polyimide tape.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 05:01:07 pm
content: I found holding the SMD in-place to be a bigger problem than soldering the SMD.I use a few dead cell phones for SMD soldering practice. They have such tiny components and they are so densely packed that makes the soldering/desoldering process very difficult. So that makes them a good practice platform. I dig them back out every time I have to attack the reI have success soldering 0.5mm pitch SMDs. The most difficult part for me is holding them in place before I applied any solder. Once I "locked-in" by getting the first pin right, the rest is rather easy.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 05:35:43 pm
content: Quote from: Back2Volts on September 08, 2016, 02:29:50 pmTry searching at digikey. E.g.http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/multicore/386844/82-117-ND/2498915

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 05:42:51 pm
content: One annoyance for me with smaller diameter solder is that it doesn't seem to have as much flux.

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 04:02:08 am
content: Thank you guys for the all good advise and links. I am ordering some flux, the small spool of fine solder from Digikey and a Weller fume extractor. I am taking note of the hot air recommendation but going to leave it for a later timeThanks again

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 05:14:08 am
content: Another way to do it is to put some solder paste on the pads and use tweezers to hold the device in place while heating up the joints.I haven't developed the knack for not blowing the parts off with a hot air gun.I use a cheap hotplate to reflow small boards. Something like this works well:http://www.target.com/p/oster-single-burner-hot-plate/-/A-13773420Just put solder paste on all the pads, place the components and then put the board on the plate. Turn the knob to high and watch until the solder flows. Then lift the board off (sliding it to the edge) and set it aside to cool. THEN worry about turning off the hot plate.http://www.howardelectronics.com/soldering/soldering-accessories/solder-paste-and-flux/qualitek/p615d-013-8840i-qi-qualitek-sn63-37-solder-paste/http://www.howardelectronics.com/smd-rework/chip-quik-low-temp-smd-rework/smd291/chip-quik-smd291-chip-quik-flux/Sometimes smaller needles are helpful (try a sample kit):http://www.howardelectronics.com/industrial-needles/stainless-steel-blunt-needles/sample-kits/jensen-global-jg-ns4-needle-sample-kit/I built a reflow oven from a Black & Decker InfraWave Toaster Oven, a solid state relay and an Arduino shield:http://www.rocketscream.com/shop/reflow-oven-controller-shield-arduino-compatibleI filled the voids in the oven walls with high temp insulating sheet material from McMaster-Carr.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 08:33:09 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on September 09, 2016, 05:14:08 amI wouldn't use it for an entire board, but it is optimal for one component, especially when reworking a board without disturbing surroundng components. For soldering I have to use almost the lowest airflow, and in order to dump enough heat into the PCB, it can help to increase the air temperature. Screening neigbouring components with polyimide tape can be useful.QuoteI use a gas hob, since the heat output can be ramped up/down faster. I put a thin layer of sand in the bottom of a saucepan to spread the heat, and use a non-contact thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature/time profile. I put some thin wires through holes in the PCB's corners for supports, and use that to lift out the PCB when the solder has reflowed.I'm surprised how effective that is, and have never felt the need to use a reflow oven - but then I don't have components on the underneath, and don't mind brusing off a few bits of sand.

author: pix3l
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 08:41:06 am
content: BTW the AOYUE 852A stations are also a good option for a hot air station that costs around a 100 bucks..

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 22, 2016, 06:29:20 pm
content: Guys, I received an MG 835-P flux pen, .38mm solder wire and a few additional Hakko tips. I have been going through my learning exercise using this $1 learning kithttp://www.ebay.com/itm/231970575975?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT(I ordered three for $2.97 shipped)What a difference the flux and the thinner solder make ! Also, I have been using a T18-BR2 fine bent tip which seems to work well for me down up to 0603, although with a tendency to end with small solder balls on the 0603 pads. (I am sure this would not happen with paste/hot air)Thank you for all the advice.

author: belzrebuth
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 12:09:09 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 08, 2016, 03:25:19 amI'd like to buy one of these but I don't see any Quick products on ebay.Are they only sold thru Aliexpress or is there another distributor?I'm in EU and I've never bought anything from Aliexpress so I'd like to avoid it if possible.

author: Markybhoy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 12:35:57 pm
content: Jessa Jones made an introduction to micro soldering video, you might be able to pick up some tips from it.https://youtu.be/A0OiT9e_JXk

author: Watth
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 06:49:46 pm
content: In my humble experience, considering soldering trouble, the answer to 75% of the problems is MOAR FUX.I do 0603 with a soldering iron, I think a key element is a nice pair of tweezers and enough heat. (And more flux).

author: Kuro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 08:11:40 pm
content: Quote from: belzrebuth on September 24, 2016, 12:09:09 pmLook for the original Chinese manufacturer, Aoyue, with the same part number. There's a reliable importer of Aoyue in Germany if I recall, he sells through Amazon.de too. But you may find one closer to your location.Edit: German company is WilTec GmbH. However, if you look at the reviews on Amazon and here for the Quick (just do a search), it's your decision if you want to work with these. They don't really look very safe to me.