Began two weeks ago when I got partway through assembling a PSU for an OMICRON HPA. Then realised I'd ordered SMD rect. bridges not THT. I devised a cunning plan to straighten the legs on the SMT parts and solder them in place. It worked just fine the legs went over the THT holes. Then I discovered that the res. caps that sit close to the bridges wouldn't fit because the SMT parts protruded 0.5mm too close to them.
So I ordered some THT parts. They arrived and my day began.
I desoldered the SMT bridges. The holes in the PCB were full of solder of course. 6 of the 8 cleared with braid, the other two were complete swines. Eventually got them clear using liquid flux and a fine pointy iron bit and banging the board on the table. Was just finishing up when my sleeve caught the top of the flux bottle and I had a flood of rather nice smelling liquid flux.
I got workpiece, components and tools clear in the nick of time, fortunately the flux is quite thick and flows relatively slowly. I cleaned up with IPA. Soldered the replacement bridges in and the res. caps fitted. Hooray!
Then I put in some smaller film caps, almost as soon as I'd done it I realised I'd soldered the wrong caps in two places. This was especially irksome because I'm aware of my lack of electronics knowledge, how much harder it makes fault finding, and I bust a nut to remain organised and double or triple check everything before soldering. But not this time grrrrrr.
Desoldered them, cleared the holes (eventually) and went looking for the correct caps. I know I've got them, but can I find them? No. They were in a box with all the other bits for the PSU with their board references written on their bag. But not any more, they've been stolen by aliens. Obviously.
Also, I kept finding sticky patches on my worksurface where I'd swear no flux got to, and having to break out more IPA to clean them.
At that point I decided I was doing more harm than good and went for a break. Came back, looked at the mess and decided I'd had enough for the day...
So I ordered some THT parts. They arrived and my day began.
I desoldered the SMT bridges. The holes in the PCB were full of solder of course. 6 of the 8 cleared with braid, the other two were complete swines. Eventually got them clear using liquid flux and a fine pointy iron bit and banging the board on the table. Was just finishing up when my sleeve caught the top of the flux bottle and I had a flood of rather nice smelling liquid flux.
I got workpiece, components and tools clear in the nick of time, fortunately the flux is quite thick and flows relatively slowly. I cleaned up with IPA. Soldered the replacement bridges in and the res. caps fitted. Hooray!
Then I put in some smaller film caps, almost as soon as I'd done it I realised I'd soldered the wrong caps in two places. This was especially irksome because I'm aware of my lack of electronics knowledge, how much harder it makes fault finding, and I bust a nut to remain organised and double or triple check everything before soldering. But not this time grrrrrr.
Desoldered them, cleared the holes (eventually) and went looking for the correct caps. I know I've got them, but can I find them? No. They were in a box with all the other bits for the PSU with their board references written on their bag. But not any more, they've been stolen by aliens. Obviously.
Also, I kept finding sticky patches on my worksurface where I'd swear no flux got to, and having to break out more IPA to clean them.
At that point I decided I was doing more harm than good and went for a break. Came back, looked at the mess and decided I'd had enough for the day...
I believe everybody has days like this once in a while and knows how it feels...
When something like this happens to me, I put everything aside (drink a few beer) and then start over again after a week or so...
When something like this happens to me, I put everything aside (drink a few beer) and then start over again after a week or so...
Just tidying up and it turns out the flux made it to one of the Xen JLH HPA boards I'd been tinkering with. Fortunately, the flux is still liquid and I'm off with the IPA and a toothbrush :|
Irritating I am sure, and I am genuinely sorry to hear of your woes - I feel your frustration - but I would give almost anything to swap this 'horrible' day of yours for the HORRIBLE one which hit me out of the blue recently... 😢
Everything in life must be put into perspective. Beer helps!
Everything in life must be put into perspective. Beer helps!
Life is like a sine wave, ups and downs 🙂 Always better to leave it for another day when it turns that way.
That sounds ominous. Whatever it was, sorry, and I hope things improve.
I do maintain perspective and if my horrible day was it, I'd consider myself blessed.