Homebrew PCBs

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "derekhawkins" <eldata@...>


> You cannot get
> perfect or near perfect centering of SMD components during reflow
> without it.

I can and do regularly, casually. It's as for sure as marinara and white 
shirts. I would shrug it off as differing experiences, but it's entirely 
certain and obvious you haven't ever tried.

>> Bridging isn't a concern
>
> It is a concern if a track runs under a SMD component and there is no
> solder mask when solder paste is used.

Let me rephrase. I'm not concerned unless, say, a huge dust bunny falls 
under the chip as I stuff it into place. What failure mechanism are you 
imagining?

> Lots of talk about solder
> paste but very few proficient in its actual use so far. Personally,
> it would be my soldering method of choice on a board done
> professionally. Doubt if I'll ever use it on something made at home.

It's not at all complicated. There are barriers to overcome, and I suspect 
in your case, the first and final one is insurmountable.