EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Electronics => Beginners => Topic started by: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 12:46:45 am

Title: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 12:46:45 am
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 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...  :-DD

https://youtu.be/P9-r2dGcQg0

Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: Rick Law on October 02, 2015, 02:21:37 am
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.
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: ez24 on October 02, 2015, 02:38:24 am
Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 12:46:45 am
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  :palm:
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: xrunner on October 02, 2015, 03:37:09 am
Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 12:46:45 am
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 (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/smd-soldering-practice-boards/msg674440/#msg674440)
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: ez24 on October 02, 2015, 04:09:58 am
Both good posts and videos.  I cannot get enough of SMD methods and may try again.
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 09:55:50 am
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...  :-DD
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: ez24 on October 02, 2015, 05:24:39 pm
Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 09:55:50 am
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...  :-DD
Make a video history of the improvements you make both in technique and tools  :)
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 05:42:02 pm
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  8)

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?
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: ez24 on October 02, 2015, 06:18:30 pm
Quote from: vinicius.jlantunes on October 02, 2015, 05:42:02 pm
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  8)
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
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: vinicius.jlantunes on October 07, 2015, 02:07:37 pm
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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZzpguDt9PI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZzpguDt9PI)
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: EPLan on October 15, 2015, 01:21:44 am
By pure chance I noticed your thread today after purchasing a similar kit from AliExpress - I got this version -

(http://i.imgur.com/fGXi1S2.png)

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Top-Quality-DIY-Module-Electronic-Kit-SMD-Components-Solder-Practice-Plate-for-Training/32307395398.html (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.  :-\
Title: Re: SMD soldering practice kit
Post by: vinicius.jlantunes on October 15, 2015, 11:52:56 am
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    :scared:

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