Advanced Soldering: Fast and Easy Soldering of Surface Mount Components

Step 5 Make a Clamp for Holding Surface Mount Components.

Pic8 shows a clamp I made that works well to hold down small flat surface mount components when soldering them directly to a circuit board. It was made with spring wire that is sharpened to a point on one end and then bent to the form shown.

Pic9 shows the clamp in use.

pic10 shows how tight you can solder in a Picaxe 08 microcontroller in a remote control ring:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-A-Remote-Control-Ring/

Comments

[happytobethemoon]

What did you use to remove the copper from the stripboard?

[alterator]

looks like a drill bit..

[emerson.john]

I have over thirty years of professional experience with a soldering iron. This is the best article I have ever seen on surface mount hint and tips, especially for DIY applications. The aluminum foil trick to protect adjacent contacts should also prove handy for assembling high density connectors. First rate, A+, and many thanks.

[Wo0kiE]

good idea... another good clamp for soldering is medical hemostats like in the link below... http://www.scissorsales.com/hemostat.html they aren't great for tiny applications like the ones you are describing but work great for attaching component leads to wires and such. All in all, your idea here is very sound and well laid out. Good Job! Andy H. CET, FOI VVTS