At 02:13 PM 5/29/2008, you wrote: >I am looking to buy the Weller WLC-100 for working with SMT. Do you >folks have better options? > >I see it suggeested that you tin the pad and then hold the part lead >down on the pad and tack it.Why not tin the part leads as well? > >-- >Patricia Wilson
SMT parts have no leads for the most part, they are ready to solder as is, you will also find if you attempt to pre-tin them that the part will stick to the soldering iron due to the surface tension of the solder and the light weight of the part the exception being IC's who have tiny lead, so do not pre-tin the parts. They because of their size overheat quickly so it's not a great idea to heat them too many times. Use very little solder and solder quickly. I'm not familiar with the iron, but you want a fine tip and have the iron be temperature controlled and adjustable. Looking it up it's a variable power iron not a temperature controlled iron, there is a big difference, I would look for a temperature controlled iron. Weller makes some, and so do others, I own a Solomon temperature controlled iron and it was only $35, it goes from dead cold to ready to use in 3 seconds. Cecil K5NWA www.softrockradio.org www.qrpradio.com "Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light."
