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[Homebrew_PCBs] thinning smd solder paste

2004-08-16 by Stefan Trethan

Hi,

again the same topic.
Last time i asked someone suggested glycerine and IPA.
(sorry for forgetting your name)
Tried it, in varying ratios of glycerine/ipa -> always bad results.
As soon as i mix _anything_ into the paste, regardless of how little it  
might be,
the components literally jump off the board as soon as i heat it. It also  
doesn't
matter how slow i heat it.

It almost makes you cry when you have just placed 30 or so SMD components,  
heat
up and all start jumping like popcorn at a certain temperature.

The paste is rather dry, and it is impossible to dispense because it just  
isn't tacky
enough to stick to the board (it sticks to the syringe tip). I'm VERY sure  
i'll NEVER
EVER again buy smd paste at ebay. Well it did only cost 1 or 2eur instead  
of 10 but
it isn't worth the bother at all.

I admit i didn't store it in the fridge, and it was slightly better when i  
got it.

What do you think, is there anything i could try to thin it?

Is it vital to keep it in the fridge? What are your experiences with that?

I'd really hate throwing away this almost full syringe, but if it doesn't  
work out
i'll have to.

I'm more and more into SMD now, and i MUST get that working.
I have seen it work when i got the paste, and it was tacky enough to work  
with it.
Ii is so much easier than hand soldering and looks nicer too.

well, ideas welcome.

ST

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