Are you comfortable with SMD soldering?

[chromguy]

I am working on an electronic DIY project for our TM and would like to get a feeling on what the community thinks of SMD soldering.

Pseudo Poll

A) SMD and though hole , easy No problem.

B) Through hole is easy, but I don't do SMD.

C) Dude, I don't solder electronics!!!


If you answered B, check out this video how to make SMD soldering easy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9FC9fAlfQE

[cordes]

I'm not smart enough to think that SMD would give me some troubles. I've never done it although, I think I'd just fire up the heat gun and go to town with no problems.

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ETA: I too enjoy the EEV blog from time to time.

[chromguy]

Cordes, SMD is easy ever since the common use of solder masks on the PCB.

I have watched nearly every video on EEVBlog...Now I can talk turkey with the many EE at the office

[zin]

Neat link, always wondered how they kept the solder from shorting leads...

Looks pretty easy, with the right tools...

Mike

[chromguy]

Neat link, always wondered how they kept the solder from shorting leads...

Looks pretty easy, with the right tools...

Mike

You can basically use the same tools as when you solder through hole for the simpler SMD.

[ShelGame]

I think you need to specify SO or FP SEC chips.

SO (small outline) SMD is easy. It's 0.05" pitch. You can get a fine tip iron on each pin; just a touch of the solder wire and it's done.

But, FP (fine pitch) is about more difficult at 0.025" (though, still not impossible). For FP, I solder bridge all of the pins, then use a solder wick to clean it off. It usually works, but sometimes there's not enough flux on the wick, and it can be a PITA.

[chromguy]

Thanks Rob,
I was hesitant to mention specific SMD packaging pitch density, in an attempt to get a general feeling on SMD soldering.
I was favouring the SOIC at 1.27mm (0.05") as it is an easy stretch for those with average soldering skills. I agree the FP pitch such as the TSSOP at 0.65mm is much tougher and some packages now are at the 0.4mm pitch and BGA.
But let's keep it simple with 0.05" or larger, with solder mask (of course)

[ShelGame]

Yeah, SO is easy enough with a good fine tip soldering iron. Honestly, the learning curve for SO is more like a speedbump.

[Turbo SOB]

On my project I had to solder the 100 pin LQFP micro with 0.5 mm pitch pins. I wouldn't recommend trying it unless you have a FINE soldering iron. I have the Weller WD1 with the WMP soldering pencil. I can do 0402 no problem.

[chromguy]

On my project I had to solder the 100 pin LQFP micro with 0.5 mm pitch pins. I wouldn't recommend trying it unless you have a FINE soldering iron. I have the Weller WD1 with the WMP soldering pencil. I can do 0402 no problem.

Yes, I seen your project....Well done. I have a Hakko and love it my old Weller works but uses curie point so no fine control of tip temperature.