On Thu, Mar 26, 2009 at 6:19 PM, solarwind wrote: > Thank you to everyone for the time you have taken to write such > detailed replies to my noobish questions. > > I have also found another tool which seems to be interesting and very > inexpensive: http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/07/how-to-make-a-surface-mount-soldering-iron/ > > Also, since solder paste is expensive and doesn't keep well, (how long > does it keep anyway? in the fridge, that is), would it work if I were > to pre-tin the pads on the PCB by putting solder already on it, then > using the above tool to literally melt the solder as I place the > component on the pad? 1) Learn SMT soldering with a normal iron first. You will use it much, much, more than paste soldering unless you are an PCB assembly shop. 2) $3.36 is not expensive. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7952 -- Mark Rages, Engineer Midwest Telecine LLC markrages@midwesttelecine.com -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist