I tend to start out with no extra solder on the pads (just the normal tinning from the factory) and just a bit of solder on the tip of the iron. Hold the part where you want it with tweezers and just tap one pin with the bit of solder on the iron. It will almost instantly stick, holding the parts down. Then I flux and solder the other pins normally, touching the initial pin briefly with flux around to clean the joint and all is good. Sometimes I flux beforehand which sometimes means I don't have to clean the first joint after I solder it, but sometimes I don't because it means a lot more tweezer cleaning to keep small (0402/0603) resistors from sticking to the tweezers which is REALLY annoying! Try it both ways and see what works for you. I don't think paste+iron is a recommended combo. I have paste and a hot air pencil that I use if I have large numbers of repeating components to solder in one shot, but I still go to the iron and super fine solder for the bulk of my work. Good luck. -n. On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 6:29 PM, Richard Prosser wrote: > James, > > I find it works best to put a (very) small blob on just one pad. > Solder the part to this using tweezers & an iron, and then solder the > other pad(s) normally. Go back and touch up the first pad afterwards, > if required. This way you have a flat pad surface to work with & only > have to worry about one pad at a time. > > Watch out for lead poisoning unless you're using lead-free solder! > > RP > > 2008/6/10 James Newton : >> 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 >> %3d has 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 > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist