Any recommendations for good soldering tweazers for SMD components I stupidly managed to fit polar caps around the wrong way (on the -ve voltage side) and believe I need to replace a couple of these resistors as I believe they might be blown on one channel. All the caps are replaced the right way round and only one channel is in need of attention, so a lucky break
I'm okay soldering larger pads and some smaller stuff but trying to remove and replace these is looking in need of better equipment
I'm okay soldering larger pads and some smaller stuff but trying to remove and replace these is looking in need of better equipment
Member
Joined 2003
No real special soldering tools needed, just regular tweezers, small soldering tip and thin solder. Those small SMT resistors are easily removed by just adding some solder, lay your iron across the top to melt both sides and sweep it off. Clean up the solder with chem-wik and some alcohol and you're ready for the new parts.
For nice fine tip tweezers, I recommend something like Excelta 3C-SA-SE. 5x magnifier loupe is helpful too to inspect your work.
For nice fine tip tweezers, I recommend something like Excelta 3C-SA-SE. 5x magnifier loupe is helpful too to inspect your work.
Member
Joined 2003
Excelta DN-3C-SA-SE if you want the reverse acting version. I don't prefer them, I'm much more dexterous holding the part myself with standard tweezers. YMMV.
Why cramp your hand working with hundreds of smt parts?
And try to find them if you drop them.
Reverse action tweezers are MUCH better for this purpose.
And try to find them if you drop them.
Reverse action tweezers are MUCH better for this purpose.
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Member
Joined 2003
Just saying "they're better" isn't going to change my mind. It's your opinion and that's fine. I said I don't prefer them, that's also fine. I worked in electronics production for more than a year of my life soldering small 0201 size components and QFN chips, some how cramping from the use of tweezers was never a problem, and I'm not a klutz so dropping parts wasn't either. I'm more likely to drop parts using reverse tweezers, since I have no control over the holding pressure, you just let go and hope its enough.
FWIW Metcal has special tips for removing SMD parts. If you have a Metcal they are great. I got mine used from eBay. Here is the assortment https://store.metcal.com/en-us/shop....name=0&PageSize=12&SortingAttribute=name-asc The new prices are pretty impressive.
I have a Weller WSD81, so are these tips designed to heat both pads at the same time ? And you move the SMD device with Hand tweezers ?
The tips fit over the part heating both pads and then a you lift the part off. It makes more sense when you are doing it.
To remove smt passives I use two irons, one for each pad, maybe a bit if flux, heat and lift, pretty easy without anything special. Clean the pads off with some solder wick, done
So you use the irons like tweezers ? Or have an assistant to lift the SMD ? Or just slide it off then clean up and any debris ?
If you're talking hot tweezers the ones for the METCAL MX-500 are quite good.
If you're talking the tool to hold and manipulate the parts, I'd get a pair of titanium tweezers. They're strong and non-magnetic. Techni-Tool has some.
Note that some soldering tips form two points with a gap in the middle. Those are intended for de-soldering smaller, 2-pad, SMD parts. Example: https://www.dkhardware.com/metcal-rcp-sl1-rework-cartridge-slot-tip-0092-x-0054-tip-width-rcp-product-5183019.html
Tom
If you're talking the tool to hold and manipulate the parts, I'd get a pair of titanium tweezers. They're strong and non-magnetic. Techni-Tool has some.
Note that some soldering tips form two points with a gap in the middle. Those are intended for de-soldering smaller, 2-pad, SMD parts. Example: https://www.dkhardware.com/metcal-rcp-sl1-rework-cartridge-slot-tip-0092-x-0054-tip-width-rcp-product-5183019.html
Tom
Tom, tks, its about safely removing small parts and re soldering. I did speak to Weller yesterday, well Farnell actually and they juts couldnt answer the question if the well tweezers will work with my older WSD81 Weller base station. I'll check out METCAL
This was the unit I thought I might be able to add to my Weller sation, as the connector is the same and it seemingly fits with most of the current base stations https://uk.farnell.com/weller/wxmt-wdh-60/solder-tweezer-12v-80w/dp/2629045?st=soldering tweezers
I guess you could say that I use the two irons tips as tweezers to reflow the solder on the pads and lift the passive comp off. It really is easy to do. I only use the hot air for multi-lead comps.