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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!

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[–] • 0 pt

Hey, thanks for the referral of KiCad. I'm using Fritzing now and it's barely adequate. KICad actually looks pretty good! I haven't had time to DL it yet but I will later today. I tried a few others and they weren't so satisfactory. Many design apps for schematics and board design use proprietary file formats.

[–] • 1 pt

Do not be afraid to learn how to make components footprint, it is actually a very good way to actually learn the logic of life

A key think to learn is the netlist concept, it is not difficult, but you need to have it clear on back and forth of netlist between schematics and pcb layout. The key point is that it happens often to change components and/or schematics due to pcb constraints.

it is not a one way process schematcs -> pcb it is more bidirectional

Also, put INTO the schematics the part code of the component eg MOUSER 650-DK-621-0940-4S This is one of the reasons to make your own library, you put extra info in the "component"

Have fun, there is lots to learn

[–] • 0 pt

My wife will thank you. LOL.