Bill, W4ZV wrote:
Make one! http://www.al7fs.us/AL7FS5ATSprint2.html (2nd pix down)
...and http://www.qsl.net/n5ib/surface_mount/
73, Bill
Thanks, Bill. I heartily endorse this little device. I built mine from a wire
coathanger, a couple of fishing weights, a toothpick and a two-screw coupling
cut from a choc-block connector.
After a wee bit of practice, I was happy to work with 0805-size components and
larger. I built a 23cm preamp for another amateur that used 0805's and it
worked just fine. I do use an Optivisor as an aid to my ageing and very short
sighted eyeballs, but can honestly say I'm at ease with 0805s. Solder paste, I
believe, makes life easier due to its stickiness, but as it has a limited
shelf-life and is rather expensive I have only heard stories of its being used
successfully.
For SMT chip removal I've used a length of fine enamelled wire in a loop under
pins. As each pin is heated, the loop is pulled and as solder melts, the chip
leg is lifted clear of the PCB. I've never damaged a PCB doing this. I
believe Chipquik low melting point solder is very good (Wood's metal?) to aid
removal by flooding the pins with the special solder, which remains liquid for
a considerable time. I believe there are special clean-up techniques using
their flux to get PCB pads clean. For soldering fine-pinned components, I just
flood the pins with solder and then use solder wick to remove surplus. Works
fine for me. For two or three connection SMTs I use two soldering irons and
then a bit of solder-wick, pre-coated with additional flux from a flux pen, to
clean up the pads.
I know this is tempting fate, but I can't remember the last trace I lifted,
it's so long ago. Just be careful and patient and allow yourself time to THINK
about the approach you are using for each and every circumstance. As amateurs,
we are unlikely to be under serious time constraints when soldering, so don't
rush into anything.
73 DaveL G3TJP
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