[TriEmbed] Good article on how to solder surface mount parts
Pete Soper
pete at soper.us
Mon Feb 4 16:02:51 CST 2019
I use 1.5mm wide copper braid routinely to remove excess solder while
hand-soldering QFP, TSSOP and related packages and the results can look
better than what I can get with a reflow oven. Flux remover or just 91%
isopropyl and an ESD-safe brush takes care of the left over gunk from
the flux: whether it be the subtle stuff described below or the obvious
stuff I squirted or that came with new solder. Despite the "no clean"
labels in my experience even "NC" liquid flux leaves residue that has to
be cleaned off if you want the board looking perfect. MG Chemicals flux
remover works very well if you need to get every last bit off, but I use
isopropyl almost exclusively 'cause I hardly ever have to make a
prototype look like it came from a factory. Walgreens sells 91% in very
convenient spray bottles that can be refilled from bulk. Adafruit sells
the ESD safe brush as their item #1209 for $2.95.
-Pete
On 2/4/19 4:45 PM, Scott Hall via TriEmbed wrote:
> In my Learn to Solder gatherings and mentoring, I have had prints of
> this article available for several years now. I need to agree with
> some of the discussion points though, and disagree with one:
>
> * Braided Solder Wick almost always comes with some impregnated
> rosin flux (not "resin" BTW), otherwise the surface corrosion on
> the copper would not allow the molten solder flow onto it.
> Remember what I always say in my Learn-to-Solder workshops --
> solder wants to go where it is hot and clean via capillary
> action. Without flux, the braid would not be clean enough. Also
> remember what else I say in my workshops -- solder wants to flow
> and go where there is more surface area. Thats how braided copper
> works -- it has more surface area than where the part is soldered to.
>
> * I agree using a finer tip works better for surface mount work, but
> you will also have to up the temperature a little bit to make up
> for the lesser heating surface to transfer the same amount of heat.
>
> * Liquid flux is your friend for surface mount work! Just don't
> over-do it because you don't want charred flux taking all your
> heat and preventing solder flow.
>
> * I have on thumb-drive and over at SplatSpace a couple of other
> videos that I think are better for surface-mount work. One is
> from the institute that offers certification exams for getting a
> job soldering. They also have practice kits available (same ones
> I bring to my workshops). I'll dig up links to them and followup
> here.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 22, 2019 at 5:52 PM Robert Gasiorowski via TriEmbed
> <triembed at triembed.org <mailto:triembed at triembed.org>> wrote:
>
> Some wicks are coated with resin flux, so they are messy. You
> would have to get bare copper wick and use liquid flux.
> Still, I wouldn't suggest using wick to anyone without experience.
> Drop of liquid flux will do the trick.
> 8 or 6 mil traces can be easily damaged when desoldering with
> iron, especially when PCB is poor quality (plenty of them lately.)
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 22, 2019 at 3:33 PM Brian via TriEmbed
> <triembed at triembed.org <mailto:triembed at triembed.org>> wrote:
>
> On 1/22/19 3:13 PM, Robert Gasiorowski via TriEmbed wrote:
> > I would have to disagree with few things in that article.
> > [...]
> > I would never use wick to remove solder from SMD components,
> leaves
> > resin and you can easily overheat traces. Flux works wonders
> for
> > soldering and removal of excess of solder.
>
> Resin? I'm not sure what resin you're referring to. Wick is
> just a
> braid of copper; nothing else (well, some are pre-impregnated
> with flux,
> but in my experience that is never enough flux). As far as
> overheating,
> I've never had a problem with that as long as there's plenty
> of flux and
> a well-tinned tip to ensure proper heat transfer.
>
> At any rate, flux and wick together is almost magic in its
> ability to
> act like a solder vacuum. Hooray for capillary action!
>
> Afterwards, a quick wipe with an isopropyl-moistened q-tip is
> all you
> need to clean up the excess flux.
>
> -Brian
>
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> --
> Scott G. Hall
> Raleigh, NC, USA
> scottghall1 at gmail.com <mailto:scottghall1 at gmail.com>
>
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