DIY Hold Down Tool for SMD Parts - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Frantone
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 04:19:50 pm
content: A keen observer of my blog spotted one of my DIY tools in my messy desk photo last week - It is a hold-down arm for SMD soldering. Ever try to hand solder SOT sized parts? This makes it easy! I used a tool that is commonly called a 'dental stimulator' which you can get at any pharmacy - it has a soft rubber point on the tip and these tips are replaceable, so you can have spares to keep around the lab, and with a small rubber band stretched across a couple of screws in a block of heavy scrap hardwood you have an adjustable SMD hold down arm. The hold down pressure is set by the rubber band, and the entire thing can be very precisely adjustable and quite stable. The rubber point will grip and hold any small part while you solder it. It has proven a very handy tool for placing those pesky little buggers (as Dave would aptly say!)

author: quint
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 04:40:16 pm
content: That is very clever! I've seen fairly expensive commercial products which do a similar thing, but your idea is cheap, simple and looks like it will work just as well.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 05:13:07 pm
content: What a great idea, thanks!

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 05:35:29 pm
content: Here is a variation that I came up with about 30 years ago for hard silver soldering. It is just a piece of 1/16 diameter welding wire bent into that shape. The block is just a weight and is not attached so you can pick whatever weight is appropriate. You can also fine tune the pressure by moving the weight closer to or farther from the tip. One advantage of this is that the 2 rear feet will keep the tip in position so the part cannot slide around once positioned. I had not thought of using it for electronics work so thanks for the thread.

author: EExtrom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 05:39:52 pm
content: This couldnt come in better time! Im just trying to buy/get/make something for same use ... and this is just brilliant!Im done searching ... now i can start prototiping ... THANKS for sharing

author: Frantone
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 06:01:20 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on March 13, 2013, 05:35:29 pmHey - now I have to make that cool tool too! Thanks for the add... O0

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 06:25:12 pm
content: I make a battery discharge unit using a power resistor and a small piece of spare wall band. Screwed the resistor to the long side of the L and added a small 6V lamp across it, then soldered on 2 long copper wires bent ti fit the nicad pack. Place pack on bench and place probes on it, when lamp goes out battery is ready to be recharged. Had just enough mass to keep good contact.Very nice Fran, must look for some of those dental hammers or some large stainless steel knitting needles.

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 09:01:48 am
content: @robrenz: Thank you,brilliant idea! I'm going to build that today.

author: ee851
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 01:16:41 pm
content: frantone, robrenz,Thanks for posting photo's of your great ideas. I may yet try working with SMD again!