[AU] Inexpensive kit to start soldering with paste - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: rthorntn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 05:03:03 am
content: Hi,What to buy in Australia to get started, namely the heat source?Beginner stuff thats a bit small to hand solder (0402, SOIC & SOT).The paste seems like a right PITA for the occasional job, if I remember rightly it wants to be refrigerated and only lasts 6 months, so a lot of waste then, I guess there is no such thing as a long-life solder paste in 2024?Thanks!

author: Hectorx1999
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 06:24:37 am
content: To start soldering small components like 0402, SOIC, and SOT, consider a hot air rework station for controlled heat and a fine-tip, temperature-controlled soldering iron. For occasional use, buy small quantities of solder paste to reduce waste or use fine-gauge solder wire instead. A flux pen and magnification tools will also help with precision. Unfortunately, long-life solder paste doesn’t exist yet, but proper refrigeration extends its shelf life.

author: rthorntn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 06:27:59 am
content: Thanks, what do you mean by a "hot air rework station for controlled heat" when you're hand soldering with an iron?

author: Anthocyanina
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 07:03:44 am
content: you will probably need both a hot air station and a soldering iron to get solder joints cleaned up on the smallest components. at least while you figure out the right amount of paste to use, the right airflow speed and temperature of the hot air.I have experience with a multicomp branded atten 862d and i'm happy with it, so i would recommend it. it comes with 4 tips, and you can get angled tips as well, which while i don't have them, i would recommend the angled tips if you do get it

author: rthorntn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 07:24:36 am
content: Thanks, so do you only do one component at a time, you apply paste (only with a stencil?), place the part and put low velocity hot air on it, and the iron is to fix any stubborn bits?

author: BennoG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 07:36:39 am
content: What I usually do is mix the paste with flux (50 / 50) about and use a thin wire to apply the paste to the right places.Even they I sometimes apply too much paste. By mixing it with flux you can extend the life to 2+ years.That is only for the small experiment jobs. I usually order pcb's with the small 0402 components placed on it and the "special" components I hand solder.Benno

author: Anthocyanina
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 07:40:26 am
content: Quote from: rthorntn on November 12, 2024, 07:24:36 ammost of what i use it for is for repair, so i'm replacing one or a few components in an area at the same time. I'll remove the components that need to be replaced, clean the pads, put paste on them, place the new components, and run hot air over them. slow air speed has worked for me and it seems to be the common setting other people use as well. when using it for personal projects, if the board is small enough, i'll use hot air for all the smd components at the same time with a wide nozzle, or with the tips removed, and it's worked well for that. the iron i use for through hole components, and to fix solder blobs or the odd tombstoned resistor or cap. i have a very crappy soldering iron, so there's no recommendation on that side, but i'd like to get a pinecil or one of the basic hakko stations since either of those would be a big improvement over what i have right now

author: rthorntn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 07:44:28 am
content: Thanks, is that feasible, to have the fab just place the tiny stuff, on a board I'm looking at now that would be four SOT and twelve 0402 (out of a hundred SMT parts)?What do you mean by the "special" components, expensive stuff?

author: BennoG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 07:51:00 am
content: Quote from: rthorntn on November 12, 2024, 07:44:28 amYes or the stuff that JLC does not carry.Benno

author: rthorntn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2024, 11:57:53 pm
content: Thanks all, a quick questions for the Aussies, where to get hobbyist amounts of quality paste in Oz, mail order from an Australian company, not wanting to go down the get to $60 for free delivery from overseas rabbit hole?

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2024, 01:16:47 am
content: https://www.jaycar.co.nz/solder-paste-smd-syringe-15g/p/NS3046https://www.jaycar.co.nz/lead-free-solder-paste-smd-syringe-10g/p/NS3048?? I assume you have one nearby you can walk into? Or mail order.Edit: oh, weird, there don't appear to be any in Mackay or Townsville or Cairns or even Adelaide.Here in NZ I've got one 35 min away in Whangarei, and also other small cities such as Tauranga, Rotorua, Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Nelson, Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill. And several in each of the main three cities.I'm not sure if it's as many as there used to be DSE (they did take over some DSE shops in both countries), but it's a lot.

author: rthorntn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2024, 01:57:54 am
content: Thanks, so the Jaycar stuff is alright, is the price OK for that quantity?

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2024, 02:11:13 am
content: Price? No idea. Probably more than buying overseas, but then I'd imagine for most hobbyists their $20 of solder paste will time expire with some (even most) unused, so it's more of a (bi)annual cost than a per ml one.And, as one of those descriptions says, they get it in bulk from a local supplier and keep it in a fridge in the store, which is an advantage over importing it yourself.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 03:58:29 pm
content: GC10 used to be the highest quality solder paste around, with a pot life of several years without refrigeration. I forgot the brand (Heller? Loctite?), it also got sold to some other company.But that was years ago. Back then it was exceptional, but apparently there are also other brands these days with a similar pot life.

author: awakephd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2024, 02:12:37 am
content: I don't know what the brand is, but I am still using some solder paste (in a "syringe") that I got 5 years ago - still works just fine. I keep it double-bagged in the refrigerator between uses.