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Thread ID: 119484 2011-07-25 08:12:00 0603 SMD LED Suppliers? The Error Guy (14052) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1218974 2011-07-27 11:28:00 Ended up getting them from element14 (farnell)

Sheesh some can be costly, getting up $5 a piece (I got the $1 ones :devil)

$10 total, 5 white 70 mcd and 5 140 mcd blue. $10 + $1.56 in a lovely personalized tax from your friendly Govt
The Error Guy (14052)
1218975 2011-07-27 11:37:00 Ill post pics of the project once I have soldered those bastardly little SMD's onto the board with an oversized iron :D

If you want to do them well, I recommend you watch:

www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
Agent_24 (57)
1218976 2011-07-27 11:37:00 IThanks for the useful input guys. Ill post pics of the project once I have soldered those bastardly little SMD's onto the board with an oversized iron :D
Well worth getting a fine tipped soldering iron. I have a good Weller soldering iron which proved to be hopeless for fine work. I ended up buying a fine tipped gas soldering iron and have no regrets.
mikebartnz (21)
1218977 2011-07-27 11:49:00 Can't you just get a smaller tip for your Weller?

My Duratech (Hakko 936 clone) has many different tips available, and some on eBay which aren't even on the official list
Agent_24 (57)
1218978 2011-07-27 11:54:00 Well worth getting a fine tipped soldering iron. I have a good Weller soldering iron which proved to be hopeless for fine work. I ended up buying a fine tipped gas soldering iron and have no regrets.

going to get a few new tips tomorrow, found another old iron (that makes 6 :rolleyes:) in my work drawer. Its a higher wattage so heats up faster. Good for a lot of the quick jump in stuff that I do.

So new standard tip, 2x fine, a chisel/wedge and what ever other tasty looking things I can find
The Error Guy (14052)
1218979 2011-07-27 11:59:00 going to get a few new tips tomorrow, found another old iron (that makes 6 :rolleyes:) in my work drawer. Its a higher wattage so heats up faster. Good for a lot of the quick jump in stuff that I do.

Higher wattage iron? How high, exactly? You don't need a lot of watts for SMD, and especially if it's an unregulated iron.

If you are doing SMD make sure to use a temperature controlled soldering station or if a stand-alone iron I would say from my own experience nothing more than than 25 watts or so.

The key to soldering quickly is to make sure everything is clean.
Agent_24 (57)
1218980 2011-07-27 12:00:00 Can't you just get a smaller tip for your Weller?
Had a look just recently and couldn't find one.
It is similar to this one (www.cooperhandtools.com).
mikebartnz (21)
1218981 2011-07-27 12:12:00 Had a look just recently and couldn't find one.
It is similar to this one (www.cooperhandtools.com).

Ahh... I thought you were talking about a standard iron, ones like that most people call a soldering gun. At 140 watts they're useful for other things but not really good for fine electronics work.

As I said previously, a temperature controlled station or a 25 watt or so iron is best for soldering average components on PCBs etc.

I've used a Scope MH25 for many years for basic PCBs, but recently got the Duratech station because it has a good range of tips (for SMD) and adjustable temperature of course.
Agent_24 (57)
1218982 2011-07-27 12:36:00 For now its unregulated iron, I dont often do much SMD work however if what i'm doing now is going to continue Ill get a temp controlled one. The Error Guy (14052)
1218983 2011-07-28 05:48:00 Friendly spammer The Error Guy (14052)
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