SMD users

  • Thread starter Thread starter kip4
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kip4

kip4

Well-known member
Does anybody use or make smd circuits?
I just ordered my first kit albiet a tiny beginner one. The project an electro harmonics LPB.
Please share you experiences.
 
I'm just trying to future proof a little mate :)
I'll probably do a little article on my first adventure into subminiature.
The board is 1.5x2.5cm. Its a seemingly very few parts project. It's coming from Oz so it'll be a few weeks arriving yet.
 
Use a small diameter solder. What ever you do, do not use the conical tip! Buy a magnifying glass so you can solder and inspect your connections easier. A pair of tweezer would be very helpful. Soldering paste can be useful in some situation. If you're soldering chips, search "drag soldering" on Google or YouTube. Just be careful not to short anything out. I don't know why you would even go smd when through hole is easier to solder, works well and has more available components.
 
Through hole componants are getting harder to get and more expensive too. EG J201's.
and i'd like to be able to make micro circuits.
I have already made my first kit an EHX LPB admitidly small parts circuit but it worked a treat first time.
My next smd board has arrived from Americay and when i've ordered the parts i will be making a Skreddy pedals Sonic Screwdriver with through hole transistor. (optional Choice thing)
This side of things is going well.
I'm just too busy right now i scored a couple of commisions.
 
Get Chip Quik. It can make smd reworking somewhat easier.
 
kip4 said:
I'll google it thanks Paul :)
Click to expand...

Chip Quik: Easy removal of surface mounted devices

There ya go!

Years ago (before I knew about Chip Quik) I did some computer motherboard mods. It involved removing and replacing a 28 pin SOIC chip (something to do with voltage regulation if I recall).

I got the old chip off by heating each leg one at a time, and slowly and progressively sliding a thin feeler gauge under each leg while the solder was molten. Painstaking and nerve wracking. I felt I was going to lift a PCB trace at any moment! But it worked...

Would I do it like this again? No I would not :cool:
 
PRHunt said:
Chip Quik: Easy removal of surface mounted devices

There ya go!

Years ago (before I knew about Chip Quik) I did some computer motherboard mods. It involved removing and replacing a 28 pin SOIC chip (something to do with voltage regulation if I recall).

I got the old chip off by heating each leg one at a time, and slowly and progressively sliding a thin feeler gauge under each leg while the solder was molten. Painstaking and nerve wracking. I felt I was going to lift a PCB trace at any moment! But it worked...

Would I do it like this again? No I would not :cool:
Click to expand...

The more usual technique is to cut each leg with a modelling knife, remove the body of the chip then heat each pin in turn and remove with tweezers.
Clean the solder pads up with wick.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
The more usual technique is to cut each leg with a modelling knife, remove the body of the chip then heat each pin in turn and remove with tweezers.
Clean the solder pads up with wick.
Click to expand...

Yes that was what I leaded to do back in the 1970's. We just cut off all the leads with dikes and tossed the chip out then removed the leads one at a time.

But today you'd simply use a hot air re-work station and be done with it in 30 seconds. Hot air and reflow ovens have revolutionized soldering technique.
 
CAlbertson said:
Yes that was what I leaded to do back in the 1970's. We just cut off all the leads with dikes and tossed the chip out then removed the leads one at a time.

But today you'd simply use a hot air re-work station and be done with it in 30 seconds. Hot air and reflow ovens have revolutionized soldering technique.
Click to expand...

Agreed but I am (well was!) dealing with "hybrid" equipments. 100W valve amps with SMD, old thru hole stuff and plastic pot shafts!

Dave.
 
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