I generally like to solder sockets to my boards, rather than the chip directly, but am now forced to solder the chips directly. I have several DIP and SMD components that this need …

As a follow-up to this question, what kind of damage could a soldering iron do to an IC or other component if left on it for too long at too high a temperature? ESD damage can be …

More components are only available in SMD packages. For hobbyist assembly the options are to buy breakout boards or solder SMD. Since components are usually packaged in a couple …

Can anyone recommend a good place to go making PCB's? I'm particularly interested in places that also offer assembly, because this makes SMD parts an option. GoldPhoenix is an o …

I'm soldering up some boards with smd parts, using a hot plate to reflow, and I'm (inevitably) realizing that I got some of the wrong parts. Now, is it better to leave the boards w …

I have been gifted about 2/3 of a reel (2000-ish) of these SOT-23 parts but I cannot locate any data for them. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Through the various dat …