Re: gEDA-user: smd challenge parts

[Stuart Brorson <sdb@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> > I'd use the 'N' footprints.  The pad area for a good solder foot is
> > large enough.  If you go with the 'M' footprints, you may find that
> > your parts tombstone too easily since the amount of solder on the pad
> > will be great.
>
> My thought was that a bigger footprint would give you room to get a
> soldering iron in there.

I suggest you use a fine-tip soldering iron and touch the pad with the
tip when soldering.

> The 01005's are only 16 mils LONG.  My
> soldering iron tip is 20 mils.

Is that the finest tip soldering iron available?

> So even on the M footprints, there's
> only about 9 mils of pad showing.  For the 0201-M, there's 14 mils
> showing, etc.

Another possibility is to get one of those hot-air soldering units and
use that instead of a soldering iron.  Then hold the part down with
your tweezers, heat it with the stream of hot air, and then touch the
pad/part with a bit of the thinnest solder you can get.

Personally, the smallest parts I've every tried to deal with was
0402.  I really wouldn't want to deal with anything smaller.

Stuart


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