Getting started with SMDs

Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) can be a little intimidating. I mean, they are really, really, small, and many are under the impression that you need to have a hot air rework station to use them. Recently, I came across a great article on SparkFun showing how to use a skillet to reflow SMT parts. The article compares different methods of reflowing SMD parts on PCBs, which include industrial – and super expensive – reflow ovens, hot air rework stations, toaster ovens, a plain ‘ol soldering iron and, of course, a skillet. According to the article, they had great success using a regular $30 hot plate / skillet (not sure if there’s a difference between the two..) and said it actually worked better than their reflow oven!

Emboldened by their success, I’ve ordered my first SMD parts, bought an IR thermometer (so that I can follow a reflow profile), and as soon as my parts arrive and I get my skillet, I’ll be cooking up my first PCB with SMT components!