Making a “master” breakout board on one PBC. Is this a dumb idea?

[Dan123456]

Hey all 

I have ordered a few voice record / playback ICs as… well, they are fairly fun to build, simple circuits and are just pretty cool!

Usually I go with the through hole versions but the most recent version I have ordered is the ISD3900FYI in the 48-LQFP SMD package. I decided to give this one a shot as it can record way more than the through hole versions (64 vs ~17 minutes) and is a fraction of the price (~$5 vs ~$25-30)!

The issue is, I am not very good at / don’t particularly enjoy SMD work at this point so was planning to buy / make a SMD to through hole breakout board so I could “convert” it to a through hole component

I found a few decent looking 48-LQFP breakout boards online for <$4 a piece but, started wondering if maybe it might be worth it to design a PCB with a bunch of common SMD to through hole breakout boards (but all on the one board that I can cut out myself - to save money compared to having them make each breakout board individually) and send that off to JLCPCB rather than ordering each type of breakout board as I need it 

Is this a terrible idea? Or does the idea make sense to you guys too?

I have never used JLCPCB (or any board manufacturer) before so please let me know if it is likely to be just as expensive as buying proper breakout boards as I need them (or likely just not worth the time investment) or if you see any other major pitfalls to my plan 

On the other hand, if you do think it’s a good idea, please feel free to recommend some common SMD packages below for me to add to the board 

Thanks in advance!

P.s. I know, I know… I should probably just learn to solder SMD components / circuits well but it’s hard man! Plus, soldering the packages to the breakout boards will be good practice 

[ataradov]

Just order separate boards.  They will still charge you for multiple designs and you won't have to deal with fiberglass dust cutting the board.

But also, would not you have to solder the IC anyway?

Another issue with generic breakouts boards is that you usually want to place decoupling capacitors as close to the IC as possible, so you have to hack them on the breakout board, which is not ideal.

[Dan123456]

But also, would not you have to solder the IC anyway?

Indeed  Surprisingly, I haven’t found soldering SMD IC’s too bad so far! Just the lots of flux and swipe method seems to work pretty well for me 

It’s more SMD resistors and little stuff like that I have trouble with  I am constantly sending those flying across the room and seem to spend more time on my hands and knees hunting for them then I do actually soldering them 

[Smokey]

If you are already getting stuff made at JLCPCB, just have them assemble the boards too.  Problem solved.

[Dan123456]

If you are already getting stuff made at JLCPCB, just have them assemble the boards too.  Problem solved.

Na, that feels like cheating 

Plus, it really wouldn’t make for much of a hobby if I just got other people to do everything for me 

[JustMeHere]

The hobby is the design and the BOM. 

Just make specific PCBs.  Your life will be easier. The CAD software will help you eliminate errors.   They are. cheap compared to lost time and damaged components because of mistakes.

[alligatorblues]

Just order separate boards.  They will still charge you for multiple designs and you won't have to deal with fiberglass dust cutting the board.

But also, would not you have to solder the IC anyway?

Another issue with generic breakouts boards is that you usually want to place decoupling capacitors as close to the IC as possible, so you have to hack them on the breakout board, which is not ideal.

Here's how I solder smd's. Take a piece of glue tack or fun tack and stick it under the IC. Line up all the contacts. Take a dental tool and put flux on it. Put a tiny bit of flux at each connection. Get a bit of solder on the tip of the iron, and hold it for about a second or two. Do that with each pin.

If you get a bridge, clean the soldering tip, and just touch it. The tip should pick up any solder on the fiberglass, but not the joint.

[JustMeHere]

Just order separate boards.  They will still charge you for multiple designs and you won't have to deal with fiberglass dust cutting the board.

But also, would not you have to solder the IC anyway?

Another issue with generic breakouts boards is that you usually want to place decoupling capacitors as close to the IC as possible, so you have to hack them on the breakout board, which is not ideal.

Here's how I solder smd's. Take a piece of glue tack or fun tack and stick it under the IC. Line up all the contacts. Take a dental tool and put flux on it. Put a tiny bit of flux at each connection. Get a bit of solder on the tip of the iron, and hold it for about a second or two. Do that with each pin.

If you get a bridge, clean the soldering tip, and just touch it. The tip should pick up any solder on the fiberglass, but not the joint.

Just use hot air.  Do touch-up work with an iron.  So much easier.