Intro into SMD Soldering

Many people here might think SMD is impossible since the pins are so small and solder wants to cling onto every pin but it actually is very easy. This will teach you the basics of SMD Soldering if you build anything that works with SMD soldering and my tutorial helped you I would like you to post the picture.

WARNING: SMD components are very sensitive to heat, make sure you let your SMD cool down after every step.

I will start adding videos to this:

Making the base:

Place the SMD:

Since I was using a broken SMD here I forgot to do this, after soldering a side of pins the SMD will grow very hot get your sponge and hold it on the smd until it cools off, do this after the other side also. The reason you should do this is because you do not want the SMD to overheat and break.

Step 1 How they look

SMD components can be of all shapes and sizes most of the time the really small items or ones with many pins are SMD. Here are some SMD components.

Comments

[Aiden1015]

"this should work with any SMD component."

Not to be a smart ass but that's not true with BGA they have sold balls on the bottom that you cannot get with a soldering iron, you'd have to use a hot air station. Or the IC's that have a heat sink on the bottom.

Good instructable, I would also recommend using a liquid flux if you don't want to waste most of your solder.

[Thereyouhaveit]

BGA is different , BGA is not considered SMD .

[Aiden1015]

Why not? they seem to match the definition of surface mount.

[The Dark Lord]

Aaah, no video :(

[masterguevos]

where are th vids?

[d3monhax0r]

why did you remove the video?

[bpfh]

Bump :(

[Adum24]

This was really helpful! I won the homemade holidays runner up prize. This was a hackable christmas card. All the components were super small. This will help me. Thanks! But one question. Why did you remove your videos?

[jrgcool35]

 I kind of stopped using instructables, but the account I hosted these videos on was deleted, and I don't have backups for the videos. I'm going to try to make a new version of this with better videos and pictures.

[osoriocj]

Thanks for sharing ...

[Adum24]

Oh, alright.

[Detman101]

Thank you for this instructable. I always wondered how to solder SMD components and also how to properly desolder. Now I know both.

Dm

[whiteboyninja]

why'd you remove the videos

[king kolton9]

he diden't there still there

[Szajba]

nope the clips are missing

[albylovesscience]

sorry to ask but on step six is that too much solder being put or just the ripe amount and what solder are you using lead free or leaded rosin core or solid solder lead free or leaded.

[godfreyandthandi]

it is a bit much, but if your component isn't too head sensitive it should be fine. this isn't the correct way to solder smd but it works...

[albylovesscience]

thanks

[emkeyen]

Hello. Thanks for a very nice Instructable. Though, the videos are not working? ("We're sorry, this video is no longer available.")

[jrgcool35]

Ah, Sorry the videos will be repaired ASAP. I am currently very busy and haven't been able to check Instructables in a long time

[Alexizupinhea]

Yea, I saw the videos in the past, but now they're not working. Please add them again to youtube or something and update the instructable.

[rob_fed]

I noticed that you did not use any additional flux. I realize that the solder contains flux, but I used to build prototype, demonstration boards by hand. They contained many surface mount devices. If you coat both the circuit board pads along with the component connections with flux, the solder will lay flatter and in many cases you will not need to use the desoldering braid. Water based flux is the best, if you use rosin paste, you will have a larger clean chore.

[justzisguy]

By "water based", I assume you mean "water soluble" which generally requires cleaning afterwards. Not all fluxes require cleaning as the residues in some don't corrode and are non-conductive. I use an organic flux at work that requires cleaning as it will lead to corrosion if left, but it leaves a nice looking PCB when finished. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solder_flux for details.

[panstar1]

(removed by author or community request)

[justzisguy]

I'd advise against using the liquid from the duster cans as they will more likely induce thermal shock. Personally, I don't do any cooling step on any of the boards I work with (as an electrical engineer). At work, we use a good liquid flux that allows for quick soldering of the components (should be done in under 10 seconds).

[jrgcool35]

Anything that will keep the device cool will be fine :D

[justzisguy]

The important thing to remember for your "base" step is that the pads need to be flat and smooth. Particularly with fine pitch parts, I like to remove as much solder as I can, then brush my iron across the pads to leave a smooth surface. If you have a liquid flux, adding the flux to the board before using your iron can help a great deal with getting solder to flow (just don't forget to clean afterwards if you're using organic flux).

[thermoelectric]

I think you should to try using a very small soldering tip

[lamedust]

Hey, is this technique similar to one I can use for LCC mount soldering especially concerning: http://www.magneticsensors.com/products.html?id=435 it's PDF schematics can be found here: http://www.magneticsensors.com/datasheets/HMC6343.pdf.

Just wondering...
-bg

[evildoctorbluetooth]

hi, im sure the term is SMT, as in surface mount. maybe its different in america.

[jrgcool35]

IT is SMD = Surface mount device, and I think that is the term used in all english countryies maybe you misheard it.

[evildoctorbluetooth]

No, i work in a high quality circuit board factory, and the SMT department deals with Surface Mounted Components.

wikipedia page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-mount_technology

[evildoctorbluetooth]

sorry for double post. we are both right, mine refers to the tech, yours is just the classification for the component.

[jrgcool35]

Woops put this in the wrong group how can I remove it from the group?

[Shifrin]

Wow, Great job, Jacob! I think I can really find this usefull, for soldering and if I ever get into that type of stuff. I'm glad I can still Solder with you, because your a great teacher...

[Dsk001]

Good pictures and intractable if possible maybe a picture of the desoldering braid in action might help improve this but other wise real good.

[jrgcool35]

(removed by author or community request)

[jrgcool35]

Woops sorry for bad grammer I am uploading video 2 of 3 right now to youtube.

[ninjapants]

I was having a hell of a time reattaching a mini-usb connector that popped off. I was having similar problems with the pins being small and close together. I think this is going to help a lot! Thanks!!

[GorillazMiko]

wow, nice pictures /instructable