Placing SMD resistors by hand - what do you use?

[miceuz]

Whenever I tear the plastic cover tape from the resistor reel tape, the majority of resistors end up on the table bottom up   . How do you deal with that?

The tweezers are not thin enought to get there and grab 0603 resistor. I've seen Mikes video on the topic - spilling them on paper and tapping it to randomize sorta works, but is not sufficient for me. Any thoughts?

[8086]

If you tap the resistors on one edge with the tip of the tweezers they will flip over. I do loads of hand surface mount and it's not been a huge issue.

The tweezers aren't thin enough for 0603 resistors? Sounds like you need better tweezers. I don't have any problem with mine.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Vacuum pen (foot operated) is WAY faster when you have a few from each tape.
It's an even bigger advantage for polarised parts.

[MatCat]

Get yourself some 5A tweezers!  Even if they fall down on the table upside down the 5A tweezers can easily manipulate them.

[mikeselectricstuff]

..but you still can't reliably pick direct from tape with tweezers - the gap isn't big enough

[MatCat]

..but you still can't reliably pick direct from tape with tweezers - the gap isn't big enough

That is true, I usually just let them fall into a bin I have on my bench and tweezer them from there.

[David_AVD]

We use the "stick the tapes down to a plate and use a vacuum pen" method as shown in Mike's video and that's working well for us.

[nctnico]

I have the Erem 7-SA tweezers. Today I used it for placing a couple of 0201 sized resistors (no, not metric). I keep components in small plastic boxes with lids so its easy to pick them up with tweezers.

[MacAttak]

Spend 45 cents more and buy twice as many, then just throw away the half that didn't land right-side-up.

[MatCat]

Spend 45 cents more and buy twice as many, then just throw away the half that didn't land right-side-up.

They are certainly cheap enough!

[komet]

the majority of resistors end up on the table bottom up

Bang your fist on the table hard. I'm not kidding. It might not work if your bench is too solid.

[SparkysWidgets]

Mike is spot on,
I have a SMD soldering video where I talk a bit about this and link back to Mikes video where he showed me the ways
http://youtu.be/z7Tu8NXu5UA
I recently found some small reel stands that work very well now to a way to make them myself!

and if you are more into solder paste and reflow here is another video
http://youtu.be/DpgOYNB1Kng

[miceuz]

Can anyone recommend a vacuum pen with sucktion tips small enough?

[David_AVD]

Can anyone recommend a vacuum pen with sucktion tips small enough?

I'd have to double check, but I'm pretty sure my guys use a hollow needle (end ground) with no cup.

[kayvee]

Correct.  This is the type you are looking for.

http://www.edsyn.com/index.php?Mode=piw&pn=EDN-K1

[JuKu]

Correct.  This is the type you are looking for.

http://www.edsyn.com/index.php?Mode=piw&pn=EDN-K1

Look harder.  If you use a microscope (and with SMD, you really want to), you want needles with an angle in them. I don't recall where I got mine. Filing the end of a straight needle might also work, but I haven't tried. +1 for double sided tape and a foot switch.

[kayvee]

Correct.  This is the type you are looking for.

http://www.edsyn.com/index.php?Mode=piw&pn=EDN-K1

Look harder.  If you use a microscope (and with SMD, you really want to), you want needles with an angle in them. I don't recall where I got mine. Filing the end of a straight needle might also work, but I haven't tried. +1 for double sided tape and a foot switch.

Depends on the tool to place resistors and small caps.

For quick and dirty, a good pair of tweezers.
For my knock-up XY table with vertical rotating hand operated head with footswitch vacuum, I used those listed.
Bigger IC's, yes a hand tool with angled shatf and cups.

[poorchava]

I just take them from the tape onto a jar lid upside down and then tap the lid gently. That's only because my workbench is very sturdy and it wont vibrate enough if i slam the table with my fist. For plasement i prefer XY-7-SA tweezers from Xytronic (or pointy curved tweezers anyway).

[Jon Chandler]

Can anyone recommend a vacuum pen with sucktion tips small enough?

Here's how I turned a thrift-store nebulizer into a vacuum pickup tool with about five minutes effort.  A large-bore hypodermic needle ground flat works well without a suction cup.

[mikeselectricstuff]

For larger needles and cups for QFPs etc. buy one of the cheap, useless manual tools from ebay just for the tips
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IC-SMD-Easy-Pick-Picker-Up-Hand-Tool-Vacuum-Sucking-Pen-/180673031279?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item2a10f3ac6f

These also make good donor pens for adding a tube for a proper vac pen.

For smaller sizes for picking 0603s and below, use stainless dispensing needles and bend them yourself.