For tinier SMT components, it's better to put solder on one pad and tack the component while holding it with tweezers. Solder the other pin and redo the first side. Paste flux or liquid flux help. Reading glasses are useful for older people.
I bought a large batch of identical '100 nF' caps from China recently. They too were around 45nF. I suspect that a large batch of mis-labelled caps are doing the rounds in Chinese kit makers.
Trying to read those blue resistors is exasperating. I'm wondering if they are meant to be read under different lighting temperatures than we use at home.
I find that soldering the legs of regulators and other tabbed components first makes life easier. It is a lot easier to position them neatly before going for the big tab. Also, it seems counter intuitive given the size of the components but using a bigger chisel tip on the iron makes SMD soldering a lot easier. I think it's because the bigger tip gives somewhere for excess solder to adhere to as you drag it away.
I think it IS a good idea for new makers to make such a kit BEFORE they NEED to build their first "REAL" project.
For tinier SMT components, it's better to put solder on one pad and tack the component while holding it with tweezers. Solder the other pin and redo the first side. Paste flux or liquid flux help.
Reading glasses are useful for older people.
Looks like a fun kit. Thanks for another great video Bill.
I bought a large batch of identical '100 nF' caps from China recently. They too were around 45nF. I suspect that a large batch of mis-labelled caps are doing the rounds in Chinese kit makers.
The answer is yes. Better to add solder to the pad first as it helps with heat transfer.
Great video! Thank you very much!
Trying to read those blue resistors is exasperating. I'm wondering if they are meant to be read under different lighting temperatures than we use at home.
I find that soldering the legs of regulators and other tabbed components first makes life easier. It is a lot easier to position them neatly before going for the big tab. Also, it seems counter intuitive given the size of the components but using a bigger chisel tip on the iron makes SMD soldering a lot easier. I think it's because the bigger tip gives somewhere for excess solder to adhere to as you drag it away.
😮😊👌
Yeah... I hate the illegible colour codes on blue metal film resistors too... but I'm also an oldie and my eyesight is highly questionable.