Experiences working with SMD

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Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
17
Location
Leeds, UK
I just bought a new desk, which I'm delighted with, but to my horror (at least initially) upon popping a channel out for the obligatory nose around it's innards, it's almost entirely done with surface mount components. I have no problem doing most relatively simple troubleshooting and maintenance myself, and I've built a few bits and pieces over the years, but I've never done anything with surface mount before.

A quick search brought up this, this, this,
this and this, after which I'm feeling a lot less panicky about dealing with any problems that come up, but I wondered if anyone had any more general experiences or advice related to getting used to this, any bits of equipment that I definitely don't want to be without? At the moment I just have a regular Weller iron with a chisel tip and one thin conical tip.

Next on my list is grabbing an old motherboard from work to practise desoldering from and replacing components on, and getting in touch with the desk manufacturer to find out if the components are glued as well as soldered to the boards. What else should I try to find out that might make my life easier?

Cheers!
Daniel.
 
I would recommend a good pair of tweezers
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-group.aspx?id=502
A magnifying lamp
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-group.aspx?id=10491
An appropriate iron. 3 examples of nice irons for that purpose. http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-group.aspx?id=48
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-group.aspx?id=70
All told you can get away with doing this for under 100 USD.
 
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