My smt experience:
I have never been successful using even very fine tipped tweezers to hold the part while soldering (parts are too thin so tweezer tips tend to contact the pcb before the part is resting on the pads, also you need to be very steady and compromising between movement and pressure).
Instead what works well for me is to place the part on the pads using fine tweezers and then lightly hold the part in place with a fine wood stick (toot-pick diameter and cut to form a feathered wedge on the tip, this allows one to make gradual contact without moving the part).
This works for me in conjunction with:
While lightly holding the part in place with the wood stick touch one end with the soldering iron (pre-applied tiny dot of 63/37 solder). Then solder the other side with a small solder feed, repeat for the first side.
I don't pre-apply solder on one pad (tilts the part and creates movement while soldering), exceptions are very fine pitch where I will apply then wick the solder prior to placing the part.
Liberal use of flux prior to placing the part (keeps the part in place while you let go of the tweezers, sometimes a little nudging is needed after letting go), this is really my key, does mean that an alcohol bath and brush necessary later.
Of course you need some fairly high magnification visors (age dependent).
Thanks
-Antonio
I have never been successful using even very fine tipped tweezers to hold the part while soldering (parts are too thin so tweezer tips tend to contact the pcb before the part is resting on the pads, also you need to be very steady and compromising between movement and pressure).
Instead what works well for me is to place the part on the pads using fine tweezers and then lightly hold the part in place with a fine wood stick (toot-pick diameter and cut to form a feathered wedge on the tip, this allows one to make gradual contact without moving the part).
This works for me in conjunction with:
While lightly holding the part in place with the wood stick touch one end with the soldering iron (pre-applied tiny dot of 63/37 solder). Then solder the other side with a small solder feed, repeat for the first side.
I don't pre-apply solder on one pad (tilts the part and creates movement while soldering), exceptions are very fine pitch where I will apply then wick the solder prior to placing the part.
Liberal use of flux prior to placing the part (keeps the part in place while you let go of the tweezers, sometimes a little nudging is needed after letting go), this is really my key, does mean that an alcohol bath and brush necessary later.
Of course you need some fairly high magnification visors (age dependent).
Thanks
-Antonio