It is quite possible to solder SMT stuff with a soldering iron.
Although you probably want a finer tip. If you stick to SO packages and 0805
resistors and capacitors, you'll be ok doing it by hand. It's unsoldering
components that becomes a challenge :) For that, you'd want a SMT rework
station. Lacking one of those, a small pair of cutters to snip component
leads works. Destroys the component, of course. But saves the board. 0805
packages can be removed with solder wick: remove as much solder as you can
(big chisel tip), then heat the component. Since they are so small, the
entire package heats up and will come off the pad. I used to do exactly that
before I got a PACE rework station.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff DeMaagd [mailto:jeff@DEMAAGD.COM]
> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 12:54 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: [OT]: hobbyist SMT prototyping?
>
>
> Is there a resource for protyping surface mount assemblies?
>
> If I had a board, paste & components is there a way to hack a
> toaster oven
> to perform the heating task?
>
> I have a project that I want to fit on to 9 cm^2 boards or
> smaller and I'd
> like to experiment with SM components for density, but if the ovens
> discussed a week ago are too expensive I'd like to rig an alternative.
>
> Jeff
>
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