SMD jig

[9H1FQ]

I am looking for a home made or commercial smd jig to hold an smd component in place for soldering .
Any ideas please

[AC5UP]

If you use solder paste with a heat gun a holder isn't necessary... The surface tension of the melted solder will pull the component into alignment.

If you're working with a small tip soldering iron there are several methods to consider: http://www.infidigm.net/articles/solder/

I can tell you from personal experience that it pays to work quickly as some PCB traces can be damaged VERY quickly when heated.

[VK2TIL]

Look here;

http://www.users.on.net/~endsodds/sm.htm

[N4NYY]

I used a self pinching tweezer.

[KA4POL]

See http://www.g0ghk.co.uk/a-soldering-aid-for-smd-components-by-dave-g3vze

[KE5JPP]

I am looking for a home made or commercial smd jig to hold an smd component in place for soldering .
Any ideas please

I just use decent tweezers like these http://www.techni-tool.com/352TW011 .  It is 10x faster than all those nonsense hold down methods.

Gene

[KE5JPP]

To keep your sanity I highly recommend investing in a microscope like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/AmScope-20X-Stereo-Binocular-Microscope-Boom-Arm-Light-/200757834216?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebe1971e8.  It is useful for all kinds of tasks beyond SMT soldering.  Just last night I used the microscope and tweezers to remove a metal splinter from my finger!

If going for a microscope like the one above, look at the magnification range.  I find 5x or 10x the best for SMT soldering.

Gene

[9H1FQ]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for the most interesting ideas and suggestions. Never expected such a response.

I did solder many smd components by hand, lens headband, solder paste, liquid flux etc etc, but now  my patience is limited, and I need to do small quantities, I can do with a little help from  a handy aid.

Thanks again all

Paul
9H1FQ

[KA4POL]

Good luck with your business. If quantities increase consider having them manufactured in China 

[9H1FQ]

Hi all
Thanks once again for your response.

Since we are on the subject, how about some ideas about a pcb board holder, or vice, to make it easier to solder !

[AD6KA]

Since we are on the subject, how about some ideas about a pcb board holder, or vice, to make it easier to solder !

If you're going to be doing other projects in
the future, I would invest in something like
the Panavise Circuit Board holder.

http://www.amazon.com/PanaVise-315-Circuit-Board-Holder/dp/B000B5Y99C

The above link is to the model 315, which will
require you to also buy the base. I have this
setup and I just love it. Don't know how I got
by without it before I got one. The "base" vice
is handy for many things also.

I have the base and PC board vice bolted
to a 3/4" piece of plywood about 10" X 20".
I backed that board with felt from a fabric shop.
This way I can put the whole thing on my
desk and solder and work without marring
the finish of my desk. 
When I am done with the project/job then the
setup goes into the closet.
Works for me.

For SMD use I like Radio Shack .015" silver
bearing solder. The silver solder isn't needed,
I'm just accustomed to the way it flows. I use
a Weller WTCPT with a 700 degree conical tip.

Good luck with your project.
73 de AD6KA

[W4PAH]

I built something from fishing weights, a toothpick, some heat-shrink tubing, a couple of pieces of cardboard, and a clothes hanger. Photos can be seen in this album.

https://picasaweb.google.com/105342513599336063298/ATS3BBuild?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM_40dvqmoqvzAE&feat=directlink

It works quite well, and is very inexpensive. It also doesn't require a machine shop to fabricate.

-john W4PAH
Madison, WI

[W9GB]

I use a similar setup to Ken, AD6KA.
I use the 5 pound weighted base for my PanaVise holder.

IF you LOOK at PanaVise # 333  -- Rapid Assembly Circuit Board Holder
This is an advanced version for QUICK circuit board ROTATION and component insertion/soldering.
http://www.panavise.com/index.html?id1=1&id2=8&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=8&--SECTIONSword=ww

This is the best PanaVise bench tool for small production ...
nothing beats this work holding tool for its Speed and Versatility.

[VK2TIL]

For through-hole PCBs, I have a Weller PCB holder ( http://shop.rabtron.co.za/catalog/images/Weller%20Soldering%20-%20Weller%20PCB%20holder%20ESF130.jpg ) and a General Tools vise ( http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-1850-Swivel-Vacuum/dp/B00004T7TH ). 

But the OP asked about SMD; the ability to invert the PCB is not required there.

Here is my setup;

http://i48.tinypic.com/ehk8ib.jpg

It shows most of my tools; microscope with ring light, tweezers, skewer, scalpel, Exacto knife etc.

I open component tapes over the shiny pan; you can hear them fall into it and they are easily seen and picked-up from it.

The PCB sits on a mouse mat that gives a little "grip"; the PCB spacers seen here are used as "legs" because this is a double-sided board.

 

[N4CR]

These are nice and don't get in the way of working on the board.

http://www.qrpkits.com/pcbvise.html

Looks like they are out of stock right now though.