Homebrew PCBs

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dale Mosby" <dale@...>

> I would like to know what sort of techniques people use to place
> these. I also see mention of using flux paste and I am wondering if
> this is solder bearing paste. Does this hold a component in place such
> that it won't simply adhear to the tip of the soldering iron?

Solder paste. Run a bead along the pads, and stuff the chip in place. The 
paste holds the part until reflowed. Heat the board and the part with hot 
air, by stir frying, or by toasting in an oven. Reflowing cooks the flux and 
melts the solder. As the solder melts, the surface tension centers the part 
on the pads. Hand soldering is as crude as hammering in comparison. No 
matter how nimble and deft your fingers and how fine your solder, there is 
very little else you can do that is as harsh and damaging as heating the 
parts unevenly with an iron.