Hi Simon,

I regularly build SMT boards by hand (which I assume is what your doing,
otherwise leave it to the manufacturer :)

For almost everything I use a thin (0.38mm, about 0.015" I think) solder
wire. This has flux in it, but I also use a liquid flux that comes in a
"nail polish" bottle, not so much on resistors and caps but on ICs
definitely.

Also use a small tip. I use about a 1mm conical..

I do use solder paste and a toaster oven to do some bits with very fine
pitch or pins you can't easily reach with a soldering iron like SMT PLCC
sockets..

Solder paste isn't cheap, but it shouldn't be that much I'm sure. Also make
sure it isn't out of date and has been kept refrigerated. Also if you do buy
some, make sure you keep it in the fridge.

Basically, I'd suggest the fine solder. Unless you need to do anything
really tricky. If your just doing 1206/0805/0603s, SOT-23s and SO IC
packages I would stick with the thin solder wire. Also make sure it has a
resin core.

Get yourself a pair of tweezers as well.. you'll be needing them :)

Cheers,
Ash.

---
Ashley Roll
Digital Nemesis Pty Ltd
www.digitalnemesis.com
Mobile: +61 (0)417 705 718




> -----Original Message-----
> From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Simon-Thijs de Feber
> Sent: Wednesday, 13 February 2002 5:00 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: [OT]: Solder Paste
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> Since i am doing my first SMD PCB i informed about
> solder paste. My local distri gave me a shocking
> price;
> being ~50 USD for a dsipenser of 10mg.
>
> Is it realy this expensive ???
>
> grtz
>
>
> Simon
>
>
>
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