To: WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 20:41:44 -0500
Subject: [WSFA] Re: resistors, capacitors, and modems
From: ronkean at juno.com
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

On Mon, 25 Dec 2006 15:23:24 -0500 "Mike B." <omni at omniphile.com> writes:

... I've heard
> that it is possible to solder on an SMD package by hand, but it's
> pretty tricky, especially for beginners.

It would be difficult to assemble SMD parts to circuit boards using only
traditional soldering tools, but hand assembly of SMD parts is often
unavoidable when building prototypes and repairing/reworking boards.  The
small electronics company where I work has binocular microscopes,
soldering irons with extremely fine tips, and fine tweezers and picks, to
facilitate such work.

The smallest SMD parts (1/20 watt resistors) are .01 inch by .02 inch,
about the size of a grain of table salt.  Usually though, the parts are
.03 by .06 (1/10 watt resistors), .05 by .08 (1/8 watt resitors), or
larger, and those parts are not so difficult to handle and place with
fine tweezers, a steady hand, and the aid of a binocular microscope.

Ron Kean

.