Hello list. I also decided to start using smt components. (they look so good once soldered...) I already bought many resistors, caps, diodes, leds, transistos, etc on ebay. I also bought a solder sucker that can be modified to solder smd devices using hot air... Just make a google search for "hot air soldering diy". Also, make sure you can make your own pcb. There is almost no way to use smd components on normal soldeirng boards with .1" holes. Juan cubillo -----Original Message----- From: "Jinx" Sent: 1/9/2006 7:13:08 PM To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." Cc: Subject: Re: [OT] Going with SMT > Is this something that is within reach of a beginner-to-intermediate > hobbyist? Hi Rolf, sure, I do a bit of SMT at home. It's not too hard. Sometimes you have to use SMT because that's the only easily- obtainable package for some components (PIC 10F for example, in NZ, large SRAMs, specialty components etc) Where you can makes things easier for yourself is getting the right tools. Magnifier, lamp, various tweezers, a fine-tipped iron and small gauge solder + wick. A comfortable working position helps a lot too > Any links to dealing with SMT components would be appreciated > too In NZ I use Surface Mount Devices for many general components http://www.smd.net.nz/ Very reasonably priced. I'm sure you could find a company like this in your area. I'd advise not starting with 0402 packages. They are usable but 0804 or 0603 are easier to work with. The numbers refer to 100ths of an inch, so 0402 is 0.04" x 0.02". That's tiny. Unless you really really need to save space it's not worth the strain -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist ////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ///////////+/wAABQECAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAAAAtXN1ZwuGxCTlwgAKyz5rkQAAAAF 1c3VnC4bEJOXCAArLPmudAEAADABAAAJAAAAAQAAAFAAAAAPAAAAWAAAABcAAABsAAAACwAAAHQA AAAQAAAAfAAAABMAAACEAAAAFgAAAIwAAAANAAAAlAAAAAwAAADjAAAAAgAAAOQEAAAeAAAADAAA AFNFUkVDTyBTLkEuAAMAAABBCgoACwAAAAAAAAALAAAAAAAAAAsAAAAAAAAACwAAAAAAAAAeEAAA AwAAAA0AAABBc2lnbmFjaW9uZXMADwAAAFRyYW5zcG9ydGlzdGFzAB8AAABBc2lnbmFjaW9uZXMh wXJlYV9kZV9pbXByZXNp824ADBAAAAQAAAAeAAAAEQAAAEhvamFzIGRlIGPhbGN1bG8AAwAAAAIA AAAeAAAAEgAAAFJhbmdvcyBjb24gbm9tYnJlAAMAAAABAAAAAACgAQAABwAAAAAAAABAAAAAAQAA APQAAAAAAACA/AAAAAIAAAAEAQAAAwAAAAwBAAAEAAAARAEAAAUAAAB4AQAABAAAAAIAAAAUAAAA XwBBAGQASABvAGMAUgBlAHYAaQBlAHcAQwB5AGMAbABlAEkARAAAAAMAAAAOAAAAXwBFAG0AYQBp AGwAUwB1AGIAagBlAGMAdAAAAAQAAAANAAAAXwBBAHUAdABoAG8AcgBFAG0AYQBpAGwAAAAAAAUA AAAYAAAAXwBBAHUAdABoAG8AcgBFAG0AYQBpAGwARABpAHMAcABsAGEAeQBOAGEAbQBlAAAAAgAA ALAEAAATAAAAChQAAAMAAAB7s6WQHwAAABcAAABBAHMAaQBnAG4AYQBjAGkAbwBuAGUAcwAgAGMA bwBtAHAAbABlAHQAYQBzAAAAAAAfAAAAFQAAAHMAZQByAGUAYwBvAHMAYQBAAHIAYQBjAHMAYQAu AGMAbwAuAGMAcgAAAAAAHwAAABAAAABWAGkAYwB0AG8AcgAgAEEAbAB2AGEAcgBhAGQAbwAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA ------=_NextPart_000_0025_01C6158D.54A661C0-- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA_ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist