How to Practice SMD Soldering (SSOP, TQFP etc.)

[Samgotit]

So there's some great how to's out there:
http://tangentsoft.net/elec/movies/
http://www.infidigm.net/articles/solder/#floodandsuck

I've got one SSOP under my belt, but what I'd like are ways to practice, especially where flooding is the "only" option (SSOP, TQFP, etc.).

I'd like to keep practice parts as cheap as possible, but I'm willing to do what it takes to become proficient.

I found a few relatively cheap adapters one could use to practice SSOP:
http://www.futurlec.com/SMD_Adapters.shtml (I believe they have international offices)
Just need some cheap 28 or 48 pin ICs.

Something like this would be nice, but it's entirely too expensive:
http://www.beldynsys.com/p507.htm

Could a single layer practice board with a bunch of repetitive SMD packages be done cheaply by a board house?

The above are just some random ideas. Any suggestions for cheap parts or other ways to practice are greatly appreciated?

If you want to throw in any tips on soldering SSOP, TQFP, etc., please feel free.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Garbz]

My local electronics shop sells SMD practice boards with lots of different SMD pinouts for a wide variety of chips. So grab one of thoes grab a cheap SMD buffer or flipflop and start soldering.

Mind you I picked it up failry quickly. I've only ever ruined 1 board and i had a spare.

 

[DaKi][er]

Tips? Use lots of flux !! Buy some flux paste and use it, the flux in the solder core isnt enough for smd work. I realy dont know what I would do without the stuff

 

[jcx]

look for dead consumer electronics, pc, pc cards ect. curbside, city recycling center, town dump or ask at computer shop

paint stripper hot air guns can remove most smt chips cleanly - temp controlled are best

some plastic parts - esp film smt cap will melt but chips and resistors, ceramic caps should lift off easily

mop up with solder wick and try to put it back together again

I find optics and bright lights helpful - desktop magnifier lamp with an additional loup for inspection

 

[diredesire]

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...p?number=C6719
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...p?number=C6725
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...p?number=C6758

saw these a while back... maybe they'll help?

 

[ATAT]

Daki][er's suggestion is really good... flux helps alot when you're doing high density smds.

you can find em on old pc boards, you can find them easily at the back of tech stores.. ask if they have any scrap..Desolder using heat gun, re-solder.