Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: conductive adhesive as alternative to solder?

mariss92705 wrote:

> Jon,
>
> I agree with you entirely. I would not trust any joining method that
> did not include solder. It takes as you say a very tiny (temp
> controlled) iron, .020 multicore solder, good eyes, a steady hand and
> good soldering techinque.

.020"? You've got to be kidding! That's like plumber's solder. I use
.015" since I used up all my .010", and I haven't found a new source
for the hair-thin stuff.

>
> About solder paste. Unless you have a stencil and an SMT oven, don't
> bother. Solder paste does not adhere well when applied manually,
> balls easily when used with a soldering iron and results in wildly
> non-uniform solder joints.
>
> A much better (and easier) bet is to use multicore solder and
> soldering iron for fine-pitch hand-mounted SMT devices.
>
> The trick is to intentionally have solder bridges between pins as
> long as the joints are of a good quality (shiny, no stalagtites or
> dross). Then take a good quality, fine pitch solder wick and use it
> as a brush.

Much too slow!! I occasionally (like once per 100 chips) get a bridge,
but I try to avoid it, as it slows me down a lot. I have gotten so I can
do SO chips as fast or faster than DIPs. The QFPs and SSOPs are
tougher, though.

Jon