Airy R. Bean wrote:
That certainly matches my experience, which I had
put down to being supplie dfrom a reject batch.

So, what can we do as Radio Hams to prevent such
a problem?

How hot does the whole board have to be raised before
applying a solfering iron? Would a hairdryer do?

"Terry Given" wrote in message
...

Larry Brasfield wrote:

Hand soldering can be very hard on SMD ceramic capacitors.
The high temperature gradiant created by applying heat suddenly

--snip--



Folks are starting to experiment with reflow soldering in toaster ovens.
I've read good reports on the web, but have absolutely no personal
experience nor have I even talked to someone who's done it, so I can't
vouch for it. One of these days I'll give it a try, in the meantime you
can search on toaster oven reflow and get a slew of pages.

There's at least one company (www.pcbexpress.com) who'll even make
prototype stencils for your solder paste, although for stuff that's not
too fine you can dispense paste from a syringe.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com