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Soldering SMT I

Workshop 2 - Soldering SMT by Hand

Introduction

Welcome to Workshop 2! Now that you’ve mastered through-hole soldering, it’s time to level up with Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) soldering. In this workshop, we’ll be soldering small components by hand—don’t worry, we’ll take it step by step. SMT soldering opens the door to building smaller, more complex projects, and by the end, you’ll feel confident working with these tiny but essential components!

Objective

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solder SMT components by hand.

By the end, you’ll:

  • Understand the basic principles of surface-mount technology.
  • Gain experience soldering small components onto a PCB.
  • Learn tips and tricks to handle SMT parts effectively.

Tools & Equipment

Here’s what you’ll be using during the workshop:

Soldering Station

 

 

 

 

Your trusty setup for precise temperature control while soldering.

Soldering Iron

 

Ideal for working with tiny SMT components.

Solder Wire

(Thin Gauge)

 

 

 

 

Perfect for delicate SMT soldering.

Tweezers

 

 

 

Essential for handling small components.

         

Solder Flux

 

 

 

 

Helps improve the flow of solder and makes connections cleaner.

    

Sponge/Brass Wool

 

 

 

 

To keep your soldering iron tip clean and in top shape.

  

Fume Extractor

 

 

 

Used to remove harmful fumes produced during soldering, ensuring a safe working environment.

Solder Wick

 

 

 

 

Used for fixing or removing excess solder.

Cleaning Brush

 

To clean off flux residue or debris from the board after soldering.

 

PCB Ruler

 

A project that showcases various common SMT footprints and some handy information. You’ll be soldering components directly onto this ruler.

Tools & Equipment Safety

Working with SMT components requires precision and care, but safety is still the top priority. Here's how to stay safe:

  • Soldering Iron Safety: As always, be mindful of the hot tip—keep it in the stand when not in use.
  • Eye Protection: Protect those eyes! Wear safety glasses to shield from splashes and bits of solder.
  • Ventilation: Make sure to use a fume extractor to clear the workspace of fumes.
  • Tweezers & Small Parts: Handle all small components with care—use tweezers to avoid dropping or misplacing them.
  • Workstation Clean-Up: After finishing your project, clean up your workspace to avoid losing tiny components and to maintain safety.

Project: PCB Ruler

In this workshop, you’ll be soldering various SMT components onto a PCB ruler. This ruler showcases a range of common SMT footprints, a wire gauge tool, and even serves as a neat cheat sheet with useful electronics information. You’ll practice soldering resistors, capacitors, and other tiny components by hand. By completing this project, you’ll get hands-on experience with the intricacies of SMT soldering, and you’ll end up with a functional PCB ruler you can use as a reference for future projects!

Let’s get started and take your soldering skills to the next level!