On Fri, 14 May 2004, Patrick Finnegan wrote:
> On Friday 14 May 2004 13:32, Paul Koning wrote:
> > >>>>> "vrs" == vrs <vrs_at_msn.com> writes:
> > >>>>>
> > >> > TQFP-144...I guess I could figure out how to attach > that to
> > >> > my
> > >>
> > >> homemade > PCB...something tells me you have way nicer tools >
> > >> than I do.
> >
> > Nothing to it. You need a fine tip soldering iron,
>
> Even better, get a nice wide spade-tip for the soldering iron, so you
> can heat multiple pins at once. Once you get the hang of it you can
> "drag" the iron down along the part with the solder, and solder an IC
> *very* quickly. I learned that trick in my senior design class. I
> used to be afraid of surface-mount parts, but I am no longer (except
> programmable things or using them in breadboards, which end up
> requiring expensive adaptor sockets)
>
> Of course, the fine tip is useful for some things, such as through-hole
> devices, but you can do pretty much everything you'll need with a spade
> tip.
The "miniwave" process that you describe is what I've always done
I find that a small tip is more likely to cause damage to pads so I always use
a 1/16 or 3/32 spade tip. The real secret is lots of flux so the solder is
clean and retains its surface tension...
Small solder is actually worse since it tends to carry more oxide, so I
usually use .032"
>
> > thin solder,
> > liquid flux, a good light, and a magnifying glass. Oh yes, your PCB
> > should have solder mask.
> >
> > I've built a board with several fine pitch PQFPs and about 100 0603
> > capacitors, among other small stuff, using exactly those tools.
> > Works just fine.
>
> Pat
> --
> Purdue University ITAP/RCS --- http://www.itap.purdue.edu/rcs/
> The Computer Refuge --- http://computer-refuge.org
>
Peter Wallace
Mesa Electronics
Received on Fri May 14 2004 - 14:54:43 BST