PCB ‘SMD Challenge’ Challenges You to Learn Surface Mount Soldering
In the video below Sean Hodgins intros his Patreon-supported ‘SMD Challenge’ whose step-by-step is available here on Instructables. His first project is a small badge with a simple 9-component 555 timer circuit (consisting of six 0805 components + one surface-mount switch + one IC + CR2032 battery holder). What I like is that he shows two common learning techniques, first showing how to solder everything by hand (that’s hard(er)!) and then showing his oven reflow (whew that’s easier!) process.
I feel like surface mount soldering has a bad reputation. It can seem daunting to someone who has never tried it. Since a lot of my project involve using surface mount components, I thought it would be a good idea to make something to inspire people to try it out(without risking expensive components or their custom project). I created my own version of an SMD Challenge kit. The idea was inspired by a few others with the same and similar names. I will continue to create new circuits so that people can collect them and maybe learn a bit about open source hardware, building and designing PCBs, and just technology in general.
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