> You can DO 1206 parts with a 40W weller iron, and naked eye,
> but unless you're younger than me, it might not be all that pleasant

No, isn't. You can do a few unaided but after that.........

Rolf, this works for me

To put down a cap or resistor, and put it down flat, I'll tin one
pad first. Then place the component with the tweezers. Reheat
the tinned pad so that the component lead becomes soldered.
Whilst the solder is molten, gently push down on and adjust the
part so that it lays straight and  flat. When the soldered end has
cooled, do the other. Don't apply too much heat or the whole lot
will just come adrift from the board and end up stuck on the tip

For ICs, tin one corner pad, align/solder/cool as above, then do
the opposite corner

It'll never look as clean and tidy as a manufactured item, but to
stand back and look at what you just did, and think, "Damn, I'm
a big boy". Can't beat it for satisfaction

Until you have to do another one ;-))

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