DigiTan
New Member
Every time I try to do a simple SMT soldering project, a bunch of random crap happens to me and I end up ruining the chip. Here's the latest attempt:
I was trying to mount an ATMEL Flash memory chip to a "surfboard" I bought from Fry's. It was supposed to be a simple job: I had an 8-pin SOIC package and all the right tools availiable. The solder was cleaned with flux and I even used latex gloves to keep from getting oil anywhere on the board. Since my first attempt failed (as usual) I tried following this guide word-for-word. Here's what happened.
First, after soaking up all the excess solder with the copper braid, I pulled out an ohmeter and found only 5 of 8 of the leads were actually making contact, even though they appeared to be soldered down under a magnefying glass.
Next, while trying to add more solder to them, my solder started mysteriously turning into a black, fouling crud that bakes onto everything and won't wash away with water. It appearantly doesn't conduct electricity either because only 4 leads worked after it appeared.
After that, I started doubting my ohmmeter, so I put both probes on one SOIC pad and discovered it had an invisible flim that obviously didn't conduct electricity unless you scratched away at it. The traces have a greyish tint to them like aluminum. I tried re-soldering the whole thing but after 2 hours of this I gave up and threw it away.
I don't see what I was doing wrong. I tried my best, did everything right and nothing worked (story of my life :lol: ). Is it possible my adhesive has something to do with the contamination? What was supposed to be a fun project ended with me punching a pillow for half an hour, ready to shoot my brains out. The experience is so frustraiting, I don't think I can stand to ever try this again. For once, I'd like to do a SMT project without going to bed angry. :evil: What the hell is happening here?
I was trying to mount an ATMEL Flash memory chip to a "surfboard" I bought from Fry's. It was supposed to be a simple job: I had an 8-pin SOIC package and all the right tools availiable. The solder was cleaned with flux and I even used latex gloves to keep from getting oil anywhere on the board. Since my first attempt failed (as usual) I tried following this guide word-for-word. Here's what happened.
First, after soaking up all the excess solder with the copper braid, I pulled out an ohmeter and found only 5 of 8 of the leads were actually making contact, even though they appeared to be soldered down under a magnefying glass.
Next, while trying to add more solder to them, my solder started mysteriously turning into a black, fouling crud that bakes onto everything and won't wash away with water. It appearantly doesn't conduct electricity either because only 4 leads worked after it appeared.
After that, I started doubting my ohmmeter, so I put both probes on one SOIC pad and discovered it had an invisible flim that obviously didn't conduct electricity unless you scratched away at it. The traces have a greyish tint to them like aluminum. I tried re-soldering the whole thing but after 2 hours of this I gave up and threw it away.
I don't see what I was doing wrong. I tried my best, did everything right and nothing worked (story of my life :lol: ). Is it possible my adhesive has something to do with the contamination? What was supposed to be a fun project ended with me punching a pillow for half an hour, ready to shoot my brains out. The experience is so frustraiting, I don't think I can stand to ever try this again. For once, I'd like to do a SMT project without going to bed angry. :evil: What the hell is happening here?