Hi, for surface mount ICs, particularly the fine pitch stuff (TSSOP, 
TQFP, QFN) I strongly recommend getting a flux pen, like:
digikey KE1803-ND
also very skinny solder braid:
473-1060-ND

so what you do is... (well, this is how I do it)

dab some flux onto the pcb pads

melt some solder onto a corner pin's pad

put chip down onto board, holding iron onto that pad, and when alignment 
looks ok take iron off, wait 2-3 seconds to cool

check alignment with 8x magnifier, it will probably be a little off, but 
it is tacked down at one corner.  now you can melt the solder again and 
tweak the alignment.  repeat until it looks good.

now solder opposite corner pin.

ok, now the chip is on and the alignment is good.  dab more flux onto 
the pins.  and double-check that you got the orientation right, i.e. pin 
1 is where it should be!  last chance!

now solder pins, either one at a time, or sort of 'smear across' with 
the iron tip (I use a 1/64" btw).  Practice helps.  The flux you put 
down helps a lot with this.  The QFN parts go really fast and easy, 
actually, this way, ironically they are easier&faster than TSSOP or TQFP 
once you get the hang of it.  also reflow with a bit more solder that 
corner pin you've reheated a few times to make sure it is nice and solid.

Now use desolder braid to clear bridges, and check with the magnifier.

finally, clean with deflux stuff and scrub with old toothbrush:
techspray 1621-10S (mouser has, digikey may)

This all may sound finicky / a hassle but it does pretty quickly once 
you get the hang of it and makes solid solder connections.

Have fun!
J






Jason Hsu wrote:
>  I'm looking for suggestions on how to learn surface mount soldering, as I
> only
> know how to solder through-hole.
> 
> What training products can I buy to learn? What surface mount project kits
> would give me good practice?
> 
> What soldering iron tips should I buy? I have a WES51 soldering station and
> would prefer to stick with that.
> 
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