Overheated!
Arraugh. I think I overheated the FT232BM in the x0xb0x. That is, the surface mount USB to RS232 chip which is used to update the firmware and such.
I had a really fine screwdriver tip (about the size of a needle head) and the iron was turned way down, but I had a little trouble soldering it, and when I was done it didn’t work. I think I need to get another one (at $4.95/each) and try again with the 1/64″ conical I’d used for other SMT work. <sigh> Unfortunately that also means desoldering the current part… At least I can do that. (Worst case I’ll just cut all the legs and remove them once at a time.)
Other than that, the x0xb0x is ready for its first flux removal, before I install the LEDs, pots, tactile switches, rotary encoder, rotary switch, etc. Then after I complete the rear panel it’ll be done. Oh, and once I fix the damned USB stuffs. It’s not needed, but if I’m going to sell it, it has to be working.
I had a really fine screwdriver tip (about the size of a needle head) and the iron was turned way down, but I had a little trouble soldering it, and when I was done it didn’t work.
I find it is usually better to keep the iron hot and just solder very quickly. The total thermal energy put into a part is greater if you leave a warm iron on it, waiting for the solder to melt, than if you barely touch it with a hot iron.
Yeah. That was a big screw-up on my part. The last time I used the larger tip, it was hotter, and I was able to reflow the corner pads (used for tacking it) in about 250ms. The rest were done in under a second soldered ‘normally’.
Tonight I’ll order another FT232BM along with all the parts I need for some headphone amps and redo it right. :\ I’ll probably do the old speaker winding wire trick for desoldering it all.
Now… I’m not suggesting you shell out for a Metcal (now OKi) soldering station, but the best tip in the world is the Metcal STTC-126.
See if you can find yourself the equivalent for your iron. When I first saw a hook tip, I thought it was crazy. Now I can’t imagine soldering small things without it.
oh, whoops, forgot the link
http://www.okinternational.com/product_soldering/mx500sttc
Now that’s nice. I’ve got a Weller WES51 and it just doesn’t have the option for tips like that. :\