Has anyone in the UK come across similar items as those on this page
(http://www.zianet.com/erg/SMT_Soldering.html)?
I need to make the K3 mods and was wondering if an investment in a
heat gun would be worthwhile (it's not like SMT is going to go away!).
73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
--
A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness.
-Elsa Schiaparelli, fashion designer (1890-1973)
On 21 Jun 2008, at 20:23, Brian Lloyd wrote:
I've watched a good training video for working with SMTs but my
concern is with the board and not with the process. Even after
nearly 48 years of kit-building including two all-up K2/100s, I'm
still intimidated by the thought of those danged SMTs and can't
decide whether or not I want to take 'em on.
Soldering SMT is easier than soldering through-hole. I have now done
several SMT boards and I love it. I have even taught the kids at
school (we are building several softrock boards) and they like it
better too. (We are talking 11-year-olds here.) We have used both
the hot-air and "bake it in a toaster oven" techniques to solder the
boards. No problem either way.
You will want a good magnifier with plenty of light, tweezers,
solder paste, and either a hot-air gun or a toaster oven. Apply the
paste with a syringe. Pre-loaded syringes are available from Cash
Olson. Here is his web site with materials and techniques:
http://www.zianet.com/erg/SMT_Soldering.html
I did try soldering the devices using a fine-tip soldering iron. It
is *<MUCH>* more difficult than using solder paste with hot air or a
toaster oven.
(You use a toaster oven because it will heat up faster than a
regular oven. You preheat the board to about 90C and then crank it
up to about 250C and watch for the solder paste to turn to solder
and flow out.)
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