I install a good number of SMDs. I use much the same process as Ron D'Eau Claire mentions in his post and have never damaged a board. The dental instruments have been a part of my three tool boxes for two dozen years and are very handy. I've never had a problem removing an SMD by cutting it in half with very small, sharp flush cutters.
One thing that I experimented with for SMD mounting in tight situations is the use of a small model airplane fuel pump. Available at most hobby shops, the fuel pump is a small, inexpensive electric motor with neoprene fuel lines attached to the input and output. They are used to pump model airplane engine fuel from the storage tank into the model's fuel tank at the flying field. For SMD installation I only use the "inlet" line and free air, not fuel ;o) I cut the end of a 36" long neoprene fuel inlet line as square as I can. I power the fuel pump with a small 12V power supply I have on my bench. Once the pump is on, I use the vacuum of the inlet tube to suck onto the top of the SMD component (different size tubes can be adapted to accommodate larger or smaller SMD devices.) The suction holds the SMD device quite firmly while I work the end of the tube to maneuver the SMD into place. And, it continues to hold while I solder one end to the board. After that, my fuel pump "third hand" is set aside until the next time its needed. While this may sound a bit extreme, the idea came to me one day after "launching" half a dozen SMD devices across the room with tweezers. I had "launched" a few distinct "expletives" as well. You know what they say: "Frustration is the mother of invention"..... Or, something like that. ;o) Terry, W0FM -----Original Message----- From: Ron D'Eau Claire [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:23 PM To: 'Elecraft Discussion List' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SMT and the K3 - Nerves Keep in mind that all of the step-by-step procedures in the Elecraft documents were actually done by the writer, tested by others, and then refined and improved by customer feedback. That's in accordance with Wayne's basic requirements for Elecraft manuals. So if you take the time to follow them closely, you are getting the benefit of the experience of a great many others who have been there before you. I have removed hundreds of two-terminal SMDs both by cutting them in half or by unsoldering one end at a time and lifting the part with never any damage to the pcb. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
