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Watch Ben's Soldering Tutorial Episode -- Episode 55

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Ben solders a mini oscilloscope to demonstrate surface mount soldering technique.

  • This video gave me the courage to try to solder smd components. I also like the fact that mr. Burke gave additional tips. This way my first smd soldering job is almost impossible to fail image

  • Ben, I really like you but 4 minutes into this video I already wanted to smack you up side the head and ask you what you where doing.

    First off when doing small passives, use a smaller diameter solder to start. Pre-tin ONE side of the components pads with a little bit of solder. You can then heat that one side while you align the cap/res/etc with your tweezers. Be sure to not move the component until the solder solidifies. You can then solder the other side of the part ensuring the component is flat to the pcb (less chance of cracking this way). Then reflow the other side of the part with a tiny bit more solder to give it a nice filet. If the joints don't have a nice shape, a little solder flux and a quick hit of the iron should straighten them out. To do IC's just tack one corner and heat that joint while you align all the pins perfectly. Then tack an opposite corner to keep the part from moving. Lay down some liquid flux across all the pins and place a bit of solder on your tip. Use a dragging motion across all the pins at the point where they meet the pcb (you can add a little solder as needed). You should leave nice clean joints across all pins and you can usually clean up any shorts with a drag outwards or with solder wick. A well tip can help with this as it holds more solder but honestly in my 10+ years I have never used one.

    For tweezers I have found my favorite by far at these little smt tweerers that have about a 35 degree angle near the tip then have a wide and flat area at the end. They are awesome for caps/res/etc.

    Alwyas do a check check on all your voltage rails to ground before first powerup. It helps to not release the magic smoke. It also stops people like me who come by and sing "Who let the smoke out".

     

    Keep up the good work, I always enjoy your shows.

    PS as a side nitpick, use a static strap image