Oh, and solder wick, with a pair of forceps to hold the wick. -Adam On Nov 15, 2007 5:13 PM, M. Adam Davis wrote: > For prototype hand builds I'd use a stereo zoom sciencescope, a > variable heat weller with a very small tip, solder paste with a > needle, a flux pen, an exacto knife, tweezers, and a straight probe > (sharp metal rod). Everyone has their preference, but I found that a > waterless soldering iron 'sponge' works best - looks like a brillo > pad, and I've never had to tin my tip since starting to use one, > although I also store the iron with a blob of solder on the tip, so I > suppose you could say I tin it every time I turn it off.. > > I was doing 0402 parts with 0.4mm pitch SMT with this setup, and did > fine. I have a video somewhere of a time lapse build that shows how I > used these tools. Let me know if it is of any interest. > > To do a big build I'd prefer a solder stencil and an oven, even if > placement is done by hand. > > -Adam > > > On Nov 15, 2007 11:23 AM, DSELEC wrote: > > My company is soon to receive an order to populate a series of prototype > > PIC-based circuit boards with about 120 SMT components, some with very fine > > pitch (ssop and tsop) packages. > > > > I are currently upgrading lab facilities to handle this type of work and > > would appreciate some advice on appropriate boom microscopes and soldering > > equipment. > > > > What item or tool have you found indispensable for doing high quality SMT > > work? > > > > Any particular fluxes/adhesives to recommend or avoid? > > > > Thanks in advance! > > > > Dave Siegel > > Radex Electronics > > www.radexelectronics.com > > > > -- > > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > > View/change your membership options at > > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > > > > > > -- > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ > > Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com > > Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ > -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist