Soldering tiny connectors

Question

I recently purchased this item to use with an arduino:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9105

My problem is that I realized after the fact that this wasn't attached to the breakout board. Are these connections too small to be soldered by hand? What is the smallest distance between connections that can realistically be soldered by hand?

You might check out some of the SMD soldering tutorials at http://CuriousInventor.com — blalor, Oct 04 '10 at 18:56
See http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/1530/ and http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/4678. — Kevin Vermeer, Oct 04 '10 at 19:21

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 04 '10 at 18:54

2

I don't have any problems hand-soldering connectors like that. I use a Metcal soldering station with a mini-hoof cartridge. I tack the connector down at two opposite corners, making sure it is positioned properly using a stereo microscope, apply plenty of jelly flux, and drag-solder each row.

answered Oct 04 '10 at 18:54

Leon Heller

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But not many people have such expensive equipment... – JvO Jan 19 '17 at 19:40
It wasn't expensive: I bought my Metcal system second-hand for £120 and my microscope cost me £65. – Leon Heller Jan 20 '17 at 08:24

Soldering tiny connectors

1 Answers1