Cheap prototyping solder paste stencils for QFP 100 - where?

[DTJ]

Are there cheap solder paste stencils for something like a  0.5mm pitch QFP-100?

eBay seems to have lots of really super cheap BGA kits like these, 20+ for <Au$10:

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR8.TRC1.A0.H0.Xrework+stencil.TRS0&_nkw=rework+stencil&_sacat=0

...... but I can't seem to find similarly priced QFP-100 stencils


Alternatively has anyone come up with a nice method for laying down a bead of paste along the line of pads? Using a syringe I always seem to get too much or too little.

[Spikee]

Design your own for 20$

[Jeroen3]

Use a pneumatic dispenser and the correct needle. I use 25g (red) for qfp.

[mazurov]

OSH Stencils will cut you one from mylar for $5. You can also etch your own out of an old soda can.

[wraper]

OSH Stencils will cut you one from mylar for $5. You can also etch your own out of an old soda can.

Mylar stencils for 0.5 mm pin pitch are basically useless. Also you cannot cut it from the soda can. 0.12 mm steel stencil is needed for such pin pitch to work well.

[IconicPCB]

I machine them in 0.2mm thick FR4 sheet.

Send me Your Gerber I will send You costing

[KE5FX]

You don't need/want a stencil for QFPs.  Look for some YouTube videos on "drag soldering."

[DTJ]

Use iron. With adequate technique and ample flux, a 0.8mm tip can do that in seconds.

Yep, that's the way I've always done it. It always looks rough, I thought it might be worth trying a stencil.

I machine them in 0.2mm thick FR4 sheet.
Send me Your Gerber I will send You costing

Thanks, you've given me a good idea, I might try cnc'ing one myself using some brass shim.

Use a pneumatic dispenser and the correct needle. I use 25g (red) for qfp.

I've been laying the paste down using a manual syringe.

[IconicPCB]

Wouldlike tohear of your efforts with brass shim.

[KL27x]

Use iron. With adequate technique and ample flux, a 0.8mm tip can do that in seconds.

+1. Stencil for QFN, sure. QFP, why? You will easily be able to put a 0.5mm QFP on with an iron before you can even finish pasting the stencil. Doesn't matter if it's a one-off or x 1000.

When there's hundreds of components on one stencil and a PnP machine, ok, now you're talking.

Having no PnP, if I use stencil, I go out of my way to remove IC's like QFP, unless they're in an awkward location. As long as there is access, it's easier to put them on after the rest of the reflow. Less reworking/inspection. Also saves some cost on relatively expensive IC's,  if you end up with excess boards and don't use them all.

My personal magic is a 3mm CF tip. Not only works for drag soldering, it is a great all around tip for SMD work.

[DTJ]

Would like to hear of your efforts with brass shim.

I'll make an effort to try it out.

[KL27x]

My personal magic is the free bundled tip from my WES51.

I used w/e tip came with my iron for the first 6-7 years in the hobby, now somewhat of a business. I can solder just about anything with a hot stick, no problem.

But in hindsight, I wish I had not been so McGuyver all those years. They make different soldering iron tips for a reason!