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

author: vinicius.jlantunes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 12:46:45 am
content: I wasn't sure if I should post it here or in the "Other blogs" section - decided to put it here (Beginners section) as the video is probably more interesting to beginners.-----I have uploaded a video to my Youtube channel where I assemble one of these SMD soldering practice kits I got off Aliexpress. I learned about the kit here in the forum (but can't find the thread any longer, sorry).I could do better that's for sure...https://youtu.be/P9-r2dGcQg0

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 02:21:37 am
content: I use a couple of old StarTAC cell phones - doing both de-soldering and then re-soldering it back on. Most of the SMD on it are smaller than 0603 so that makes very good practice for the precision/steady hand at least on the mechanical connection part of soldering. One problem is testing - are the soldering joints good? Did the IC survived the soldering or did it get cooked by overheating during solder...It was not until I actually tried to replace an SMD on a board that I got to know if my soldering actually worked.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 02:38:24 am
content: Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 12:46:45 amI didn't know they had a circuit

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 03:37:09 am
content: Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 12:46:45 amIt was my thread.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/smd-soldering-practice-boards/msg674440/#msg674440

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 04:09:58 am
content: Both good posts and videos. I cannot get enough of SMD methods and may try again.

author: vinicius.jlantunes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:55:50 am
content: Ahh there it is xrunner! Thanks for the tip on the kits, as you can see in my video I have lots of improving to do...

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 05:24:39 pm
content: Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 09:55:50 amMake a video history of the improvements you make both in technique and tools

author: vinicius.jlantunes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 05:42:02 pm
content: That's actually a good idea ez24!I'm almost convincing myself of getting a Hakko FX-888D soldering station. It costs a lot here in Brazil though. the analog version is some 25% cheaper but meh, if I was to go for it I would get the digital oneI do have some solder paste and a hot air station (WEP 858D+) - I was thinking of giving it a try and see how it compares to my job with the soldering iron. Would that be worth doing?

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 06:18:30 pm
content: Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 05:42:02 pmAlmost everyone wishes they had an analog version because there is NO real analog version (new one). What you see is a cheap copy. Sorry that is all the advice I can give because I will be following your videos

author: vinicius.jlantunes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 02:07:37 pm
content: For those playing along, this weekend I gave it a try at solder paste + hot air gun. It was much better!!! I will give the soldering iron another try when I manage to get better equipment though.

author: EPLan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2015, 01:21:44 am
content: By pure chance I noticed your thread today after purchasing a similar kit from AliExpress - I got this version -http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Top-Quality-DIY-Module-Electronic-Kit-SMD-Components-Solder-Practice-Plate-for-Training/32307395398.htmlIt was $2.35 a few hours ago, now the price has risen to $4.69.

author: vinicius.jlantunes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2015, 11:52:56 am
content: It shows 2.35 to me... nice one as well. I will see if I get some of these next month maybe, this month I have already blown through all my ebay / aliexpress budgetYou may want to check xrunner thread linked a few posts above, some other options listed there as well.