PDA

View Full Version : Best tool for surface mount soldering?



Segata Sanshiro
10-10-2011, 11:58 AM
I'm currently using a combination of a soldering iron, a sewing pin to pry legs up and a knife to carefully lift them further. Something that could do more than one at a time would be preferable.

Heard about a hot air pencil, is this a good tool? Cheers.

H360
10-10-2011, 12:02 PM
lol. Is this for the Gameboy FRAM?

If you do SMT removal and soldering, you need Chip Quick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQqjggeklo
http://store.curiousinventor.com/surface-mount-soldering-smd-smt/chipquik-smt-removal.html

SMD is when you need tweezers to hold the tiny resistors, etc...

I have used it a lot, and it is great! Just be sure you clean it off afterwards properly...

Bad_Ad84
10-10-2011, 12:05 PM
ChipQuik is still crap.

Get a hot air rework station

Segata Sanshiro
10-10-2011, 12:05 PM
Well, that and stuff like BIOS replacement.

Any recommendations?

H360
10-10-2011, 12:13 PM
Get a hot air rework station

Do you have 100 or so odd dollars, just to remove a chip?

ChipQuick is fine :banghead:

Segata Sanshiro
10-10-2011, 12:15 PM
I'd consider it a long term investment really.

H360
10-10-2011, 12:16 PM
lol. Alright go for it if you see it that way ^_^

Bad_Ad84
10-10-2011, 12:17 PM
Do you have 100 or so odd dollars, just to remove a chip?

ChipQuick is fine :banghead:

$2200 BGA rework station
$200 or so hot air rework station
$1500 universal programmer


In short, yes.

H360
10-10-2011, 12:23 PM
You forgot FPGA $165

:-P

CRTGAMER
10-10-2011, 03:36 PM
I'm currently using a combination of a soldering iron, a sewing pin to pry legs up and a knife to carefully lift them further. Something that could do more than one at a time would be preferable.

Heard about a hot air pencil, is this a good tool? Cheers.
Stick with one pin at a time to avoid melting two pads together. Pencil Iron, Desolder Suction Tool and Desolder Braid. There is no need to bend the legs up, just suck out the solder and confirm clearance by moving each chip leg with a small pick or tiny jewelers screwdriver. After all the legs wiggle free, lift the entire chip out without the risk of damaging the PCB.

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/download/file.php?id=5089

Sony Trinitron WEGA RLOD Twenty Dollar Repair Guide (http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=458437#p458437)

Bad_Ad84
10-10-2011, 04:42 PM
Except the thread is about surface mount, not through hole like everything you are talking about.

APE
10-10-2011, 05:39 PM
Through hole is never hard. Ever. If it is you need more practice. And whoever did the soldering work on the through hole guide is HORRENDOUS. Those joints look terrible. I can understand the removal looking like it did but the DIP header installation? He should be very grateful it works and didn't end up with a few cold joints.

And ChipQuik is crap. Stuff completely ruined one of my soldering iron tips and had to replace it; couldn't get any solder to stick to it. Cleaning it off of boards is a PITA as well as none of my desoldering braid would actually wick it up. Cleaned up most of it but was forced to leave some on the solder resist.

Do it right or don't bother doing it as you'll often find you'll either drop the money on the proper tools or pay someone to fix your mistakes who has the proper tools.

No I don't own any rework stations but I plan to sooner than later.

bobzee
10-10-2011, 08:10 PM
And whoever did the soldering work on the through hole guide is HORRENDOUS.

Agreed. He's also put an anchoring bolt through the rear cabinet, perfectly aligned with the CRT board...

H360
10-11-2011, 01:31 AM
This was for SMT / SMD. Not PDIP.

ASSEMbler
10-11-2011, 02:12 AM
Surface mount, you need a cheap air rework.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATTEN-Hot-Air-Rework-Station-Solder-858D-858D-SMD-/160659017585

$60