Using a soldering iron can be done, but, like stated earlier, a good fine point iron and experience is very helpful. Small parts like resistors and capacitors are easy, but when you start to solder fine pitch parts, it becomes more of an art. Remember, flux is your friend. I would start by practicing with some parts that you aren't going to be using. Once you are comfortable doing those (with no shorts, cold solder joints or anything else that might cause problems) then tackle your project. Duane Brantley Engineering Tech. General Bandwidth Austin, TX 78727 -----Original Message----- From: Simon Ethier [mailto:Seth889@STARTREKMAIL.COM] Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 1:12 PM To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: Re: [ot]: surface mount question... What exactly is a hot air pencil and paste ? How does it works ? thanks ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott F. Touchton" To: Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 2:01 PM Subject: Re: [ot]: surface mount question... > Yes > > With a steady hand and a good eye it is easy. Hot air pencil and paste is > easier than fine point iron, but iron is OK. Just hold with tweezers and tack > each end down. > > 1206 package are good to start with... 0805 not too bad 0604 challenging and > I've only had a few tech's that can hand build 0402 (all numbers are package > sizes). The real tiny RF stuff is usually done under 10X or greater > magnification. > > Advantage is size (small and less parasitics) and reduced board costs (size and > limited drilling). > > > |--------+-----------------------> > | | rad0 | > | | | | PRING.COM> | > | | | > | | 02/28/01 | > | | 01:43 PM | > | | Please | > | | respond to | > | | pic | > | | microcontroll| > | | er discussion| > | | list | > | | | > |--------+-----------------------> > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -| > | | > | To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU | > | cc: (bcc: Scott Touchton/US/UNIPHASE) | > | Subject: [ot]: surface mount question... | > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -| > > > > > > Can you use a surface mount chip one at a time? > > Or must these things be 'installed' using a machine? > > I'm thinking of myself as a hobbiest, building a prototype. > > I just want to know if this can be done on a work bench > > > I'm assuming the surface mount stuff is much smaller and > more compact, this is their advantage right? > > Thanks > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.