Suggestions for PCB stencils?

ezkcdude · 18th June 2007, 06:52 PM

I've already looked at Stencils Unlimited, but it's a little pricey. I'm using ExpressPCB, so I'm limited to dxf files. Have any of you guys made stencils for your pcb's, and if so, how? Thanks.

hagtech · 19th June 2007, 03:41 AM

I bought one from SU. Excellent quality. Also bought paste & other stuff. Used a fancy toaster oven and it all worked fine. Except where the 0603 were close together, I ended up getting solder bridges as the resistors and capacitors floated on the metal and moved slightly. Normally everything floats and centers itself. With the tight spacing I got diagonal shifts.

In the end, I chucked it. Turns out I can solder everything by hand just as fast. And it never requires touch up or rework. I see no reason to go to stencils for small jobs. They're only practical and cost-saving if the boards are machine placed.

If it is the SSOP type devices you are having trouble with, try the technique outlined in this video:

http://www.hagtech.com/media/solder.wmv

jh

ezkcdude · 19th June 2007, 12:19 PM

Do you have a recommendation for a vacuum? (Oh, and thanks!)

hagtech · 19th June 2007, 06:19 PM

"Soldapult"

jh

dangus · 21st June 2007, 03:18 AM

I think a Soldapullt is too big for surface-mount work, although it is the cat's whatever for through-hole stuff. Desoldering braid is better for this miniature stuff.

(once upon a time I thought DIP components with 0.1" leadspacing were small... now I'm soldering stuff I can barely see.)

QSerraTico_Tico · 21st June 2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hagtech

If it is the SSOP type devices you are having trouble with, try the technique outlined in this video:

http://www.hagtech.com/media/solder.wmv

jh

Hi Jim, What's that terrible noise in the background of the video? Desolder braid also works taking excess solder.

hagtech · 21st June 2007, 04:34 PM

It was very windy that day. It's the garage-type door banging. Not the most professional video. I just did it in one take.

jh

CeramicMan · 23rd June 2007, 12:56 AM

Hi, can you give us a little background on what you're trying to do? If it's just a one-off hobby project, I would look around for a local contract PCB assembly company and get them to solder it for me (if I can't do it myself).

In the past I've ordered several stainless steel stencils from MasterCut for the company I was working for. But for that kind of thing you need to liaise with the assembly guys to find out exactly what they need.

18th June 2007, 06:52 PM	#1
ezkcdude diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Atlanta	Suggestions for PCB stencils? I've already looked at Stencils Unlimited, but it's a little pricey. I'm using ExpressPCB, so I'm limited to dxf files. Have any of you guys made stencils for your pcb's, and if so, how? Thanks. __________________ He's not hi-fi, he's my stereo. ShinyMetal

19th June 2007, 12:19 PM	#3
ezkcdude diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Atlanta	Do you have a recommendation for a vacuum? (Oh, and thanks!) __________________ He's not hi-fi, he's my stereo. ShinyMetal

23rd June 2007, 12:56 AM	#8
CeramicMan diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD	Hi, can you give us a little background on what you're trying to do? If it's just a one-off hobby project, I would look around for a local contract PCB assembly company and get them to solder it for me (if I can't do it myself). In the past I've ordered several stainless steel stencils from MasterCut for the company I was working for. But for that kind of thing you need to liaise with the assembly guys to find out exactly what they need. __________________ Lech

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19th June 2007, 03:41 AM	#2
hagtech diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hawaii	I bought one from SU. Excellent quality. Also bought paste & other stuff. Used a fancy toaster oven and it all worked fine. Except where the 0603 were close together, I ended up getting solder bridges as the resistors and capacitors floated on the metal and moved slightly. Normally everything floats and centers itself. With the tight spacing I got diagonal shifts. In the end, I chucked it. Turns out I can solder everything by hand just as fast. And it never requires touch up or rework. I see no reason to go to stencils for small jobs. They're only practical and cost-saving if the boards are machine placed. If it is the SSOP type devices you are having trouble with, try the technique outlined in this video: http://www.hagtech.com/media/solder.wmv jh

19th June 2007, 06:19 PM	#4
hagtech diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hawaii	"Soldapult" jh

21st June 2007, 03:18 AM	#5
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	I think a Soldapullt is too big for surface-mount work, although it is the cat's whatever for through-hole stuff. Desoldering braid is better for this miniature stuff. (once upon a time I thought DIP components with 0.1" leadspacing were small... now I'm soldering stuff I can barely see.)

21st June 2007, 04:34 PM	#7
hagtech diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hawaii	It was very windy that day. It's the garage-type door banging. Not the most professional video. I just did it in one take. jh

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