"Bob Headrick" wrote in message
...

"G.Beat" wrote in message
news:yhPic.30933$aQ6.1632419@attbi_s51...
"zindazenda" wrote in message
...
can anyone recommend at diy way of flow soldering surface mount
components??
i ask as making somr boards up that are totally sm, and well i am going
blind trying to solder them using iron!!

Here is a link for the "Ez-bake" approach to soldering.

http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encod...6/oven_art.htm

That looks like a good way to go, it would sure beat trying to solder
individual leads, but... it looks like the minimum order quantity is 10
tubes
of solder, for $120 or so. (And these are the small 35g tubes. Digikey's
are
more like $800 for the minimum qty of 500g tubes.)

Anyone know a source for small quantity (1-3 tubes) purchases?

- 73 Bob W7OV


Call Wassco in California .. they will be my choice next month.

Future/Active use to have small supplies in the refrigerator at the Chicago
store --
unfortunately all USA stores closed in 2003.
Last day for Chicago store was Feb. 1, 2003 (Columbia reentry accident)

gb

"Ian White, G3SEK" wrote in message
...

For many irons, you can also buy fork-ended solder tips that bridge over
the parts. I made one by cutting and filing an old tip, and it worked OK
for parts removal. However, it would need some co-ordination to make the
tip contact the two pads without also knocking the part out of place.

Yes, a number of SMT tips for Pace and Weller soldering irons/stations.

Weller TCP series
http://www.wassco.com/csmsurmounsm.html

Pace irons (3/16" tip)
http://store1.yimg.com/I/was_1789_9025999


The toaster oven looks like a much better method for a whole-board
assembly project, except for two key problems:

1. Solder paste is expensive

Depends on the size you are looking at. Yes, the large sizes can be
expensive.

The syringe sizes (35 g) are about what I pay for a 1 lb roll of solder
and are the only sizes that I purchase for small projects (less waste)
http://www.wassco.com/kessolsn.html

R276 No-Clean, 35g WAS-01-021403$12.95
R500 Water Soluble, 35g WAS-01-021603$12.95

2. Solder paste doesn't keep (seems to have about the same time constant
as Horowitz & Hill's wet fish)

Ian, my brother is the buyer/shipping coordinator for a major fresh water
fish distributor in SE USA.
Missed plane connection in Anchorage, Alaska (polar route from Hong Kong to
Atlanta) ..
leads to frozen fish .. when you wanted live !

Wassco notifies all buyers of their shipment policies:
Solder Paste must ship overnight in a refrigerated condition.
We will contact you to discuss the extra freight charges that will apply.

Those are big problems for occasional, low-volume users such as
ourselves. So the questions a

1. Where's a low-cost source of solder paste? (in various parts of the
world)

Wassco is the recomemnded source for solder and tools Elecraft builders.
Of course this is California based. Maybe a talk to some of the UK
distibutors?

2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?


Refrigerator - that's how I bought it at the Acitve Electronics stores in
US, before they closed.
I was also told they did not keep solder paste more than 2 to 3 months at
each store.

Store in a refrigerator away from your normal late night consumables .....
or that pasty taste in your mouth might be the last tube for your project.

Surface Mount Technology Assn.
http://smta.org/

Greg
w9gb

"Ian White, G3SEK" wrote in message
...

For many irons, you can also buy fork-ended solder tips that bridge over
the parts. I made one by cutting and filing an old tip, and it worked OK
for parts removal. However, it would need some co-ordination to make the
tip contact the two pads without also knocking the part out of place.

Yes, a number of SMT tips for Pace and Weller soldering irons/stations.

Weller TCP series
http://www.wassco.com/csmsurmounsm.html

Pace irons (3/16" tip)
http://store1.yimg.com/I/was_1789_9025999


The toaster oven looks like a much better method for a whole-board
assembly project, except for two key problems:

1. Solder paste is expensive

Depends on the size you are looking at. Yes, the large sizes can be
expensive.

The syringe sizes (35 g) are about what I pay for a 1 lb roll of solder
and are the only sizes that I purchase for small projects (less waste)
http://www.wassco.com/kessolsn.html

R276 No-Clean, 35g WAS-01-021403$12.95
R500 Water Soluble, 35g WAS-01-021603$12.95

2. Solder paste doesn't keep (seems to have about the same time constant
as Horowitz & Hill's wet fish)

Ian, my brother is the buyer/shipping coordinator for a major fresh water
fish distributor in SE USA.
Missed plane connection in Anchorage, Alaska (polar route from Hong Kong to
Atlanta) ..
leads to frozen fish .. when you wanted live !

Wassco notifies all buyers of their shipment policies:
Solder Paste must ship overnight in a refrigerated condition.
We will contact you to discuss the extra freight charges that will apply.

Those are big problems for occasional, low-volume users such as
ourselves. So the questions a

1. Where's a low-cost source of solder paste? (in various parts of the
world)

Wassco is the recomemnded source for solder and tools Elecraft builders.
Of course this is California based. Maybe a talk to some of the UK
distibutors?

2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?


Refrigerator - that's how I bought it at the Acitve Electronics stores in
US, before they closed.
I was also told they did not keep solder paste more than 2 to 3 months at
each store.

Store in a refrigerator away from your normal late night consumables .....
or that pasty taste in your mouth might be the last tube for your project.

Surface Mount Technology Assn.
http://smta.org/

Greg
w9gb

well i have just made 12 boards holding 100 or so 0805, 223, 20sm dil.etc..
it took a day..
in the end i got out very small twezzers placed the components on board held
in place by small drop of super glue dispensed by end of tooth pick, and
held down by other end of pick till dry....
then soldered using small iron...
all worked first go...

BUT.. my eyes didn't half hurt by the end...

there must be a better way..ez-bake i dont think is it..any other ideas??

how is it done professionally..???

g0zen
"G.Beat" wrote in message
news:48Tkc.9109$0H1.998600@attbi_s54...
"Ian White, G3SEK" wrote in message
...

For many irons, you can also buy fork-ended solder tips that bridge over
the parts. I made one by cutting and filing an old tip, and it worked OK
for parts removal. However, it would need some co-ordination to make the
tip contact the two pads without also knocking the part out of place.

Yes, a number of SMT tips for Pace and Weller soldering irons/stations.

Weller TCP series
http://www.wassco.com/csmsurmounsm.html

Pace irons (3/16" tip)
http://store1.yimg.com/I/was_1789_9025999


The toaster oven looks like a much better method for a whole-board
assembly project, except for two key problems:

1. Solder paste is expensive

Depends on the size you are looking at. Yes, the large sizes can be
expensive.

The syringe sizes (35 g) are about what I pay for a 1 lb roll of solder
and are the only sizes that I purchase for small projects (less waste)
http://www.wassco.com/kessolsn.html

R276 No-Clean, 35g WAS-01-021403$12.95
R500 Water Soluble, 35g WAS-01-021603$12.95

2. Solder paste doesn't keep (seems to have about the same time constant
as Horowitz & Hill's wet fish)

Ian, my brother is the buyer/shipping coordinator for a major fresh water
fish distributor in SE USA.
Missed plane connection in Anchorage, Alaska (polar route from Hong Kong
to
Atlanta) ..
leads to frozen fish .. when you wanted live !

Wassco notifies all buyers of their shipment policies:
Solder Paste must ship overnight in a refrigerated condition.
We will contact you to discuss the extra freight charges that will apply.

Those are big problems for occasional, low-volume users such as
ourselves. So the questions a

1. Where's a low-cost source of solder paste? (in various parts of the
world)

Wassco is the recomemnded source for solder and tools Elecraft builders.
Of course this is California based. Maybe a talk to some of the UK
distibutors?

2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?


Refrigerator - that's how I bought it at the Acitve Electronics stores in
US, before they closed.
I was also told they did not keep solder paste more than 2 to 3 months at
each store.

Store in a refrigerator away from your normal late night consumables .....
or that pasty taste in your mouth might be the last tube for your project.

Surface Mount Technology Assn.
http://smta.org/

Greg
w9gb

well i have just made 12 boards holding 100 or so 0805, 223, 20sm dil.etc..
it took a day..
in the end i got out very small twezzers placed the components on board held
in place by small drop of super glue dispensed by end of tooth pick, and
held down by other end of pick till dry....
then soldered using small iron...
all worked first go...

BUT.. my eyes didn't half hurt by the end...

there must be a better way..ez-bake i dont think is it..any other ideas??

how is it done professionally..???

g0zen
"G.Beat" wrote in message
news:48Tkc.9109$0H1.998600@attbi_s54...
"Ian White, G3SEK" wrote in message
...

For many irons, you can also buy fork-ended solder tips that bridge over
the parts. I made one by cutting and filing an old tip, and it worked OK
for parts removal. However, it would need some co-ordination to make the
tip contact the two pads without also knocking the part out of place.

Yes, a number of SMT tips for Pace and Weller soldering irons/stations.

Weller TCP series
http://www.wassco.com/csmsurmounsm.html

Pace irons (3/16" tip)
http://store1.yimg.com/I/was_1789_9025999


The toaster oven looks like a much better method for a whole-board
assembly project, except for two key problems:

1. Solder paste is expensive

Depends on the size you are looking at. Yes, the large sizes can be
expensive.

The syringe sizes (35 g) are about what I pay for a 1 lb roll of solder
and are the only sizes that I purchase for small projects (less waste)
http://www.wassco.com/kessolsn.html

R276 No-Clean, 35g WAS-01-021403$12.95
R500 Water Soluble, 35g WAS-01-021603$12.95

2. Solder paste doesn't keep (seems to have about the same time constant
as Horowitz & Hill's wet fish)

Ian, my brother is the buyer/shipping coordinator for a major fresh water
fish distributor in SE USA.
Missed plane connection in Anchorage, Alaska (polar route from Hong Kong
to
Atlanta) ..
leads to frozen fish .. when you wanted live !

Wassco notifies all buyers of their shipment policies:
Solder Paste must ship overnight in a refrigerated condition.
We will contact you to discuss the extra freight charges that will apply.

Those are big problems for occasional, low-volume users such as
ourselves. So the questions a

1. Where's a low-cost source of solder paste? (in various parts of the
world)

Wassco is the recomemnded source for solder and tools Elecraft builders.
Of course this is California based. Maybe a talk to some of the UK
distibutors?

2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?


Refrigerator - that's how I bought it at the Acitve Electronics stores in
US, before they closed.
I was also told they did not keep solder paste more than 2 to 3 months at
each store.

Store in a refrigerator away from your normal late night consumables .....
or that pasty taste in your mouth might be the last tube for your project.

Surface Mount Technology Assn.
http://smta.org/

Greg
w9gb

2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?

It keeps much better if it is kept in a fridge.

Try the freezer - lasts MUCH longer. That's where I keep mine. It only takes
a few minutes to defrost (good conductor) and keeps for years, even with the
occasional defrosting.

BR H

2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?

It keeps much better if it is kept in a fridge.

Try the freezer - lasts MUCH longer. That's where I keep mine. It only takes
a few minutes to defrost (good conductor) and keeps for years, even with the
occasional defrosting.

BR H

John Smith wrote:
2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?

It keeps much better if it is kept in a fridge.

Try the freezer - lasts MUCH longer. That's where I keep mine. It only
takes a few minutes to defrost (good conductor) and keeps for years,
even with the occasional defrosting.


Ah... thank you, that's the answer I was hoping for.

(Warnings about avoiding cross-contamination to food also noted.)


--
73 from Ian G3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)

http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

John Smith wrote:
2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?

It keeps much better if it is kept in a fridge.

Try the freezer - lasts MUCH longer. That's where I keep mine. It only
takes a few minutes to defrost (good conductor) and keeps for years,
even with the occasional defrosting.


Ah... thank you, that's the answer I was hoping for.

(Warnings about avoiding cross-contamination to food also noted.)


--
73 from Ian G3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)

http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

On Mon, 10 May 2004 09:36:15 +0100, "Ian White, G3SEK"
wrote:

John Smith wrote:
2. How can we either store it so it stays fresh; or re-constitute it
after it's gorn orf?

It keeps much better if it is kept in a fridge.

Try the freezer - lasts MUCH longer. That's where I keep mine. It only
takes a few minutes to defrost (good conductor) and keeps for years,
even with the occasional defrosting.


Ah... thank you, that's the answer I was hoping for.

Enjoy your holiday, Ian?
--

"What is now proved was once only imagin'd." - William Blake, 1793.