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Gamma-2 (γ2) DAC Thread - Page 8

post #106 of 2085
7/2/09 at 7:21pm
In my experience, albeit limited, you don't have to have a fancy no-clean flux pen. This one worked perfectly for me: Surface Mount Rework Flux Pen - Jaycar Electronics

I just cleaned the board when i was done with several rinses of 100% isopropyl alcohol and very gentle work with a soft toothbrush.
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post #107 of 2085
7/2/09 at 7:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lifthanger View Post
and a special hint from someone, that butchered his 100% diy opus and got perfect smd joints on the gamma1: get a pen with liquid no clean flux.. its worth at least three times the price.
X10

I butchered the pcm2702 on my first alien dac.. took me maybe 20 minutes, and eventually fried it. I got perfect joints after getting a flux pen.. about 25seconds to solder the pcm onto my first bantam, and 15 seconds for the second and third one. Tweezers and a reasonably fine chisel tip helps as well.
I got all three at mouser.
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post #108 of 2085
7/2/09 at 8:31pm
Am in 2000% agreement on the flux and would suggest the bottle with the needle applicator that Tangent has on his site works even better than the pen.
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post #109 of 2085
7/2/09 at 10:34pm
I grown tired of using my flux pen, I just can't get flux to come out (and I still have a decent amount) and the tip's worn out, often making a massive mess, and is overall a pain to use. But regardless, flux is awesome to have around! I would like to try the one Tangent sells one day...

Anyways, I wanted to do a point-to-point version of the balanced -> single-ended stage for my Opus, and need to make sure the wiring's okay: clicky. It's probably a lot more trouble than it's worth, but we'll see...
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post #110 of 2085
7/2/09 at 11:15pm
Looks like the jist of it. Are you using the circuit on the right? From where did you find it?
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post #111 of 2085
7/2/09 at 11:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShinyFalcon View Post
I grown tired of using my flux pen, I just can't get flux to come out (and I still have a decent amount) and the tip's worn out, often making a massive mess, and is overall a pain to use. But regardless, flux is awesome to have around! I would like to try the one Tangent sells one day...
I have used a bottle like the one Tangent sells. It is very nice as you can apply a very limited amount of flux.
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post #112 of 2085
7/2/09 at 11:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by digger945 View Post
Looks like the jist of it. Are you using the circuit on the right? From where did you find it?
It's part of the schematics on the first page, second post, I just copy and pasted it so it's easier to compare.
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post #113 of 2085
7/3/09 at 12:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beefy View Post
In my experience, albeit limited, you don't have to have a fancy no-clean flux pen. This one worked perfectly for me: Surface Mount Rework Flux Pen - Jaycar Electronics
I use the exact same one! It's very easy to control how much flux you apply.
Thou I really want a little squeezy bottle like tangent sells as it looks even better... I wonder if you can get a similar product in au?
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post #114 of 2085
7/3/09 at 5:17am
Fry's Electronics stores sell liquid flux in bottles with a small brush built-into the cap. I use that now and it works great.

Flux pens also work well, but only when they're new. The flux tend to dry up at the tip, clogging the flow (even when there is plenty left inside). Working the tip sometimes works to get it started again, sometimes not, or you might suddenly unleash too much flux... making a sticky mess.
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post #115 of 2085
7/3/09 at 5:29am
I just bought a flux pen from Frys along with a nice Hakko iron. I also have a tub of flux gel stuff. I'll look out for the bottles next time I'm in there along with a needle tip to practice SMD stuff with.
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post #116 of 2085
7/3/09 at 5:45am
Can't say I have ever left a flux pen unattended long enough for the tip to dry out.

As much as I hate to sound ungrateful...I threw the bottle of flux I got from Tangent (for free) away after using less then a quarter of it because the solvent had evaporated to the point where it was a exercise in frustration to try use it.

Maybe something like one of those "General" pen oilers is a more suitably sized container for novice DIYers?

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post #117 of 2085
7/3/09 at 5:55am
I think the pens are cheap enough to not worry too much about drying. By the way, where do you get that solder melting stuff from? I'd like to get some for my mista.. erm , chip rolling
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post #118 of 2085
7/3/09 at 5:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by smeggy View Post
I think the pens are cheap enough to not worry too much about drying. By the way, where do you get that solder melting stuff from? I'd like to get some for my mista.. erm , chip rolling
chipquik? I think mouser stocks them
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post #119 of 2085
7/3/09 at 6:06am
Digi-key (#SMD1-ND) or maybe at Fry's if you have one near by (# 2644632)

BTW the flux that comes with that kit is kinda neat because it's tacky but I dunno about the smell.
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post #120 of 2085
7/3/09 at 10:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterX View Post
Can't say I have ever left a flux pen unattended long enough for the tip to dry out.
I meant over the course of several months, not in a single soldering session...
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