Welcome • User Guide
ToS • Privacy • Canary
Donate • Bugs • License

©2025 Poal.co

626

I'm starting to build circuit boards and running into a problem that many components are SMD and I can’t buy them in SIP or DIP format. I’ve seen online that you can actually solder SMD by reflowing. Now my question is, can I buy hobby tools capable of this kind of work? I don’t want to buy a reflow oven and a microscope for hundreds or thousands of dollars and so on. I will probably build under 10 boards a year. They will generally be two layer boards with components on one side and pretty small (4”x 4”) for the most part.

What things do I need? I realize that I need some kind of solder paste. Is there a specific kind I need? It looks like a syringe is good to have. It looks like I need a solder wick to lift excess solder. I’m not sure if I need a bottle of rosin since it’s generally in the paste and solder wire.

Thanks!

I'm starting to build circuit boards and running into a problem that many components are SMD and I can’t buy them in SIP or DIP format. I’ve seen online that you can actually solder SMD by reflowing. Now my question is, can I buy hobby tools capable of this kind of work? I don’t want to buy a reflow oven and a microscope for hundreds or thousands of dollars and so on. I will probably build under 10 boards a year. They will generally be two layer boards with components on one side and pretty small (4”x 4”) for the most part. What things do I need? I realize that I need some kind of solder paste. Is there a specific kind I need? It looks like a syringe is good to have. It looks like I need a solder wick to lift excess solder. I’m not sure if I need a bottle of rosin since it’s generally in the paste and solder wire. Thanks!

(post is archived)

You are currently inside a comment thread.
Click here to see all the comments (15).
[–] • 1 pt

I use thin solder, an iron with a thin tip, and a high-power magnifier.

Some tools are going to be essential, a good iron and good tweezers. If you want a nice clean board and have access to an air hose with a blow nozzle, water soluble flux solder is idea. Clean with mild soap and hot water, and blow the water off.

My iron is a Hakko FX888D along side some specialty irons I've collected over the years.

[–] • 1 pt

I ordered that iron. It looks real nice. Can't wait to try it out!

Thanks!

[–] • 1 pt

They generally do a good job, I had a former employer purchase some as well and they're still in use.

[–] • 1 pt

Thank you for the "tip"... sorry.

[–] • 1 pt

Just the tip, my friend, just the tip.