SMD Soldering

I bought a chip in a 14 pin TSSOP package (0.65mm between pins!) and a DIP converter the other week. To get one joined to the other, I bought a new soldering iron with a tip that's not as thick as my wrist, some tweezers, solder wick and a watchmakers loupe; Couldn't get any flux though. I've been putting off the inevitable tense first go at SMD soldering because I didn't want to trash my 10 quid chip. Fortunately, I have some PIC10F206 (SOT-23 - 0.95mm pitch) I bought a while back along with a couple of DIP converters. The ideal practice ground.

I watched the fabulous Surface Mount Soldering 101 on CuriosInventor and got the iron on!

Tacking pin 1 was okay, but trying to dab the three pins on the other side resulted in one monster solder blob! Trying to wick it away didn't seem to work. Worried I was going to melt the DIP converter, I put it away and seethed.

Doing some odd job around the house, I dug out a box of screwdrivers that Martina found in the street (honestly), and, lo, a big tin of solder flux! Job finished, PIC10F removed and the DIP cleaned up, lashings of flux, and success! What a difference it makes - the solder leaps onto the pins. Another successful stab at a PIC10F (I have two converters and 10 chips) left me ready for the TSSOP. And it was pretty painless. Glad I had the practice though. A few pins joined together, but the flux with wick vacuumed it all away first go.

It's a nice feeling to get your first surface mount soldering out the way.