I don't think you need paste for rework. I only use paste (Mouser stuff is ok) when I'm stuffing a new board that I'm gonna stick in my toaster oven for reflow. Otherwise, use small dia solder (.016??) when you actually need solder. Usually, there is enough solder left on the pads where you won't need any extra. I don't use a soldering iron to unsolder SMT parts (well, not very often). I use a cheap hot air rework station from Marlin P. Jones. Works great! You lay the board down on an ESD mat or clamp it in a "second-hand" or vise, hit the part's pads with hot air while holding it with tweezers and gently pulling until it slides off the pads. To install a new part, just hold the part in place on the solder covered pads, and use the hot air or soldering iron to reflow the solder on each lead. With ICs, reflow one pin to position the part and then hit the rest of the pins. 10 minutes practice and you won't want to work on through-hole boards again!!! Carey On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 6:07 PM, James Newton wrote: > Were does one get good solder paste in a syringe these days? > > I found this: > > http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=wT7LY0lnAe2r5UPJoeJJnQ%3d > %3dhas anyone used this stuff? > > I'm just doing some SMT re-work (without real SMT tools or experience, of > course ;) ) and I'm hoping this will help simplify the process, especially > the part where I'm holding the iron in one hand, the part down with a pair > of tweezers in the other, and holding the solder to it with my third hand > (mouth). > > I know I could make a two legged, plus a pick, weighted thingy to hold the > part down, but I'd rather have the control. > > And I could solder blob the pads, then flux, place the part and solder > down... but these boards are really weak and I've already killed a couple > heating the pads twice. I'm thinking a bit of solder paste, hold the part > on, touch it quickly with the iron on each pad and done. > > James Newton: PICList webmaster/Admin > mailto:jamesnewton@piclist.com 1-619-652-0593 phone > http://www.piclist.com/member/JMN-EFP-786 > PIC/PICList FAQ: > http://www.piclist.com > > > > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist