SMD soldering practice kit

[vinicius.jlantunes]

I wasn't sure if I should post it here or in the "Other blogs" section - decided to put it here (Beginners section) as the video is probably more interesting to beginners.
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I have uploaded a video to my Youtube channel where I assemble one of these SMD soldering practice kits I got off Aliexpress. I learned about the kit here in the forum (but can't find the thread any longer, sorry).

I could do better that's for sure... 

https://youtu.be/P9-r2dGcQg0

[Rick Law]

I use a couple of old StarTAC cell phones - doing both de-soldering and then re-soldering it back on.  Most of the SMD on it are smaller than 0603 so that makes very good practice for the precision/steady hand at least on the mechanical connection part of soldering.  One problem is testing - are the soldering joints good?  Did the IC survived the soldering or did it get cooked by overheating during solder...

It was not until I actually tried to replace an SMD on a board that I got to know if my soldering actually worked.

[ez24]

I wasn't sure if I should post it here or in the "Other blogs" section - decided to put it here (Beginners section) as the video is probably more interesting to beginners.

   I didn't know they had a circuit 

[xrunner]

I learned about the kit here in the forum (but can't find the thread any longer, sorry).

It was my thread. 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/smd-soldering-practice-boards/msg674440/#msg674440

[ez24]

Both good posts and videos.  I cannot get enough of SMD methods and may try again.

[vinicius.jlantunes]

Ahh there it is xrunner! Thanks for the tip on the kits, as you can see in my video I have lots of improving to do... 

[ez24]

Ahh there it is xrunner! Thanks for the tip on the kits, as you can see in my video I have lots of improving to do... 

Make a video history of the improvements you make both in technique and tools 

[vinicius.jlantunes]

That's actually a good idea ez24!   

I'm almost convincing myself of getting a Hakko FX-888D soldering station. It costs a lot here in Brazil though. the analog version is some 25% cheaper but meh, if I was to go for it I would get the digital one 

I do have some solder paste and a hot air station (WEP 858D+) - I was thinking of giving it a try and see how it compares to my job with the soldering iron. Would that be worth doing?

[ez24]

That's actually a good idea ez24!   

I'm almost convincing myself of getting a Hakko FX-888D soldering station. It costs a lot here in Brazil though. the analog version is some 25% cheaper but meh, if I was to go for it I would get the digital one 

Almost everyone wishes they had an analog version because there is NO real analog version (new one).  What you see is a cheap copy.  Sorry that is all the advice I can give because I will be following your videos

[vinicius.jlantunes]

For those playing along, this weekend I gave it a try at solder paste + hot air gun. It was much better!!! I will give the soldering iron another try when I manage to get better equipment though.

[EPLan]

By pure chance I noticed your thread today after purchasing a similar kit from AliExpress - I got this version -

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Top-Quality-DIY-Module-Electronic-Kit-SMD-Components-Solder-Practice-Plate-for-Training/32307395398.html

It was $2.35 a few hours ago, now the price has risen to $4.69. 

[vinicius.jlantunes]

It shows 2.35 to me... nice one as well. I will see if I get some of these next month maybe, this month I have already blown through all my ebay / aliexpress budget   

You may want to check xrunner thread linked a few posts above, some other options listed there as well.