I have been using SMT for a several years now, I have found 0603 is the 
smallest I like to do.
I use a ring magnifier glass and tweezers.  Have tiny Weller tip controlled 
iron.  Use smallest "Solder Wick" for fixing things.   It is really great 
for running along the pins of a fine pitched IC like a PIC!    I have to do 
it in the morning after only the first few cups of coffee!
My eyes are 60 years old now and I find my glasses get in the way!  After a 
pot of coffee, the whole board is moving!

For solder, I use the "water soluble" flux solder for easier clean up.  I 
think it is the RED box from Kester - .031" diameter.  Alcohol bath first 
with a tooth brush, then water with a little dish soap scrub.  Then a water 
rinse for a shinny PCB.

My biggest board was about 6"X12" 4 layer with over 700 SMT components on 
both sides.
I only put the wrong resistor value in 5 places after days of mounting SMTs! 
Not bad!

I always do the small and lo-profile parts first.  The big parts that get in 
the way are last to go on.
You can also do it in sections.  Power supply and regulators first to check 
voltages on bus lines.
Then you can power the board up every once in a while to check if the latest 
work has caused problems?

I just ordered some 10F200 Pics yesterday in the SOT23, Oh boy!

Mike
Crestline, Ca.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steph Smith" <zapsmith@blueyonder.co.uk>
To: <piclist@mit.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 2:32 AM
Subject: [OT]Going with SMT


> >Does anyone have any recommendation?
> I had some experience in the repair industry,the weapon
> of choice was always the Antex range;as they lasted,
> worked well and the puchase AND repair cost
> (when they got trod-on!) was reasonable.Avoid anything
> with a grub screw to hold the bit on (the Antex have a
> push-on bit which is easy to change) I picked
> up a Pace SMT gun and when i saw the replacement
> element prices, i sold it. How these companies get away with
> such outrageous spares prices baffles me.I suppose industry just
> has to pay,and pass on the bill to the customer :(
> -- 
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
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> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
>
> 

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