It’s inevitable, I’m afraid. One of these days–in the relatively near future–we’re going to be forced to build things with surface mount parts or not build at all. That’s why I’ve put building something with these parts on my list of things to do.
As usual, the guys on the Elecraft mailling list are way ahead of me. Specifically, Kevin Rock KD5ONS, has posted several times on using a toaster oven to solder boards with surface mount devices. In the first post, he says:
I know there was an article on Seattle Robotics Society’s web page. In robotics we need to worry about our power consumption and about weight on board the robot. Much like QRP gear. Surface mount devices are a great way to save on both. They are also cheaper than through hole electronics. Even though my eyes are getting old and far sighted is not a good thing (as well as an astigmatism that is blinding) I find I can work with surface mount devices with out much difficulty. You need fairly steady hands and your normal size tip for soldering your Elecraft bits together. I do use a cake tin to keep from chasing after parts and for static discharge. As long as you stay away from coffee or Coke you’re fine. The toaster oven just makes it easier to build one sided surface mount boards. Double sided boards get tricky because the parts keep melting off the down side.
A few days later, he followed up with this message:
For all you folks who want to use surface mount devices in your next rig. Here is a link to a controller for reflowing with a toaster oven. It does not have to be expensive to be embedded.
Yesterday, he posted this information:
Looks like stencils will help with SMD soldering. Even double sided boards.
Thanks, Kevin!