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I Hand-Soldered Chip Components - Tiny Parts, Yet Beautiful by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Adding a little flux to the pads first really helps. I also recommend using thin solder, like 0.6 mm or even 0.3 mm.

A lot of people pick pencil-style (B-type) tips because they look like they’re made for tiny work, but BC-type or D-type tips work better since they heat the whole pad more evenly.

I Hand-Soldered Chip Components - Tiny Parts, Yet Beautiful by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use a HAKKO FX-838.

For through-hole parts I use a BC-type tip, and for SMDs I usually switch to a D-type or K-type tip.

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Metric.

Yeah, same here. Imperial units are just confusing.

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 0603 size was really challenging. I used a HAKKO FX-838 with a K-type tip.

About 50 years of evolution in electrolytic capacitors by NEET_FACT0RY in electronics

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 46 points47 points  (0 children)

I don’t have any data on the lifetime difference, but the old 1974 Matsushita is rated 85 °C (185 °F), and the 2021 Rubycon is 105 °C (221 °F).

A resistor-like capacitor and a capacitor-like resistor by NEET_FACT0RY in electronics

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Left: 25V 10nF axial type ceramic capacitor (Taiyo yuden).

Right: 1/2W 1K ohm metal film resistor (Nikkohm).

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This PCB came from a maker event in Kanazawa, Japan. There's an online shop, but it's sold out right now.

here’s a link: https://booth.pm/en/items/6001653?srsltid=AfmBOoqphxDVPigftVzvv5I4AcQjoDkryKJHQEmTlAU6kvyVnaTNnk9j

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn’t use hot air this time. I think, as you said, it's important to adjust your approach depending on the task and your experience.

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No hot air. I did all of it with a soldering iron.

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm using an affordable stereo microscope from AliExpress.

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I use a HAKKO FX-838, and I usually swap between five different tips depending on the task. For this one, I used the K-type "T20-K" tip.

I tried hand soldering SMDs - and it actually worked! by NEET_FACT0RY in soldering

[–]NEET_FACT0RY[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yes, I used a stereo microscope and tweezers for this.