SMT soldering

[Christopher4187]

Hi all,

I would like to know if someone can suggest a good solder to use for SMT soldering and a good soldering iron to use? Also, some techniques if you want to share too.

Thanks,

Chris

[NavMicroSystems]

Well,
that question is not that easy to answer,
it depends on how many boards you have to solder
and how much money you are willing to spend.

For a "single shot" or a low number of "hand soldered" boards:

use "solder" with a maximum diameter of 0.5mm
use an "iron" with a very small tip but enough power and Temp. regulagtion.
(Don't even try one of those "Soldering Needles" with only ~5 Watts)

My "Iron" has 48 Watts of Power, has a 0.3mm Tip, is Temp controlled and isolated.

I have done many boards with it with really good results.
(On my designs for "hand soldering" I'm not using any component smaller than 1206 or 150mil)


(I don't want to start a RoHS discussion,
but my experience so far is
that leadfree solders are not as good as the "old" ones containing lead)

[badrad]

try the toaster oven. I have been using the toaster oven for smt reflow for some of my smaller boards now, and is very effective and easy to use. just pay some attention for the thermal profiles of the chips you are using, and have a spot thermometer handy.

if you are hand-soldering, get a very fine point solder tip, with adjustable temperature range, and always make sure to clean all your solder surfaces.

get a flux pen. makes cleaning pads and pins so much easier.

[Luciano]

Seattle Robotics Society

Have you seen my new soldering Iron?

http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/200006/oven_art.htm

More about reflowing:

http://articulationllc.home.comcast.net/sm0402.htm


Luciano