Yeah, someone else did this joke with a dollar or fifty cent piece, but this thing terrifies me.
Its the LPB1 boost SMD board from Chromesphere.
(http://i.imgur.com/SrSHVEE.jpg)
I ordered that board and when it came it was so small I didn't know what it was. Took me a minute to finally get that it must be the SMD board from Chromesphere. you get no concept of how small it actually is from his website.
Still haven't had the nerve to start on it. Scariest thing I've ever seen.
I bought two, because I know I will destroy the first one.
I too am completely terrified by the one i ordered.
I've got opamps that are bigger than that PCB....
Great googly moogly.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Sorry to hear you guys arent enjoying your first foray into smd :(
When i first had that board fabricated i remember i got a piece of paper and outlined how big it was to see what size to expect. Even in diptrace, you dont get an appreciation for how small these are.
I honestly thought i would have no chance putting it together without some sort of visual aid. I was amazed when on first attempt, it worked! I've built 3 and they all work. I'd almost go as far as saying, smd is MORE FORGIVING then throughhole. for me personally, it seems harder to solder bridge. But you have other challenges though (tombstoning and moving components being one of them).
Paul
Do they call coins nickels in America? I've heard collections of coins called shrapnel before, or rats and mice.
That explains Nickelback... I was always confused at why a band would name themselves after nickle-cadmiun NiCad batteries, I wouldn't pick a name translating to Halfbattery-back, I'd pick something like Steelspine.
As for the SMD -- it scares me. I've got a self-designed half-smd muff (that was badly designed for a kick-off), and it doesn't really work. My iron is probably too big and too powerful for it (40W non-fine-pencil tip), but it works perfectly for TH, so I'm holding off on any more SMD until I get to the point I need a magnifying visor :)
Either that or taking Seeed up on their new service of populating boards at 5c/pad ;)
This video might give you an idea of the size (for those that havent seen one). skip to about half way. This was version 1 of the board with the errors, (new boards dont have those errors):
Paul
I agree that the boards are tiny! Soldered mine up the other day, haven't put all the offboard stuff on it yet though. Didn't mind doing soldering on it though.
I'm thinking about getting a hot air soldering gun, and trying again. From videos on youtube it looks extremely easy, and you should be able to get more complicated builds onto tiny boards and into the 1590A really easily.
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Quote from: alanp on August 08, 2013, 06:26:01 AM
Do they call coins nickels in America?
The American 5-cent piece is called a nickel. It's 25% nickel / 75% copper.
More info, for the curious:
http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/?action=coin_specifications
Quote from: chromesphere on August 08, 2013, 06:33:42 AM
This video might give you an idea of the size (for those that havent seen one). skip to about half way. This was version 1 of the board with the errors, (new boards dont have those errors):
Paul
is that.... A Tictac mint?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
I was also a bit apprehensive seeing the tiny boards when I got them, but I found it a great learning experience and actually not as bad as anticipated. I got two of them also thinking I might completly obliterate the first at least, but they worked both great straight away!
Give it a go I'd say!
Great circuit to put into a tight space in an existing stompbox/circuit as additional boost or so too, so will certainly find a great use somewhere for me.
Big thumbs up for Paul to put this as a learning challenge out there!
(http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w650/cooder3/P6010001_zps02c59730.jpg)
(http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w650/cooder3/P6010002_zpsced2bfeb.jpg)
(http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w650/cooder3/P6010004_zpsf17735ed.jpg)
I too appreciate the availability of Paul's SMD boards.
It's just quite shocking at first.
Yeah... it really helped me to use a flux pen (pickdropper recommended that on here, can only totally agree), applying some first onto pad and component, holding component in place with a toothpick and let solder from iron tip flow onto joint. Worked good for me.
Really slightly different approach than through hole.
Quote from: chromesphere on August 08, 2013, 05:54:52 AM
Sorry to hear you guys arent enjoying your first foray into smd :(
Don't feel bad. You putting together these practice boards is so helpful. It's just shocking when you first see it. Eventually we'll all overcome our fears, put on our big boy soldering pants and get it done.
I agree with cooder. Its the same process i went through. I was apprehensive to even try when i saw how small the board / chips were. I started putting it together, thinking to myself "i'd be surprised if this even works". It's almost like soldering half blind or something. But they have all worked so far! I didnt want to turn people off by saying that a flux pen is pretty much essential, but yeah....its essential. Dont even try until you get one.
Conquer those fears chaps. A microscopic boost awaits you :D
Paul
Oh hey, on another point, i've discovered that 9mm Tayda pots fit the pot throughholes on the smd boost quite well. Cant remember if i did this on purpose, but neither the less, it works. Which makes the build even smaller!
I have done a few SMD things now, there is a little bit of 'learning the knack', but once you get it, it's super easy, and you don't need half as much solder on the joints as you think!
Dive in guys, it's not as bad as you think, get a flux pen though! Order one now! ;)
George
Quote from: chromesphere on August 08, 2013, 11:01:57 PM
Oh hey, on another point, i've discovered that 9mm Tayda pots fit the pot throughholes on the smd boost quite well. Cant remember if i did this on purpose, but neither the less, it works. Which makes the build even smaller!
I noticed that as soon as I opened the bag. That's the reason I wanted to try the dual boost in a 1590A.
Great layout. :)
Quote from: hammerheadmusicman on August 08, 2013, 11:26:02 PM
I have done a few SMD things now, there is a little bit of 'learning the knack', but once you get it, it's super easy, and you don't need half as much solder on the joints as you think!
Dive in guys, it's not as bad as you think, get a flux pen though! Order one now! ;)
George
+1000. It's a lot of fun once you get past the unfamiliar.
And definitely get a flux pen. Worth their weight in gold with SMT and useful for other things as well.
I just finished my first of two lpb-1 boards I picked up. Fun stuff. I don't have a flux pen so I just filled a syringe with flux. Worked like a charm. :)
(http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj545/haveyouseenhim/DSC08570_zps75e946c6.jpg)
Hey Mike, what are you planning on doing with those (2 of) little suckers? 1590a?
Paul
Quote from: haveyouseenhim on August 14, 2013, 02:46:03 AM
I just finished my first of two lpb-1 boards I picked up. Fun stuff. I don't have a flux pen so I just filled a syringe with flux. Worked like a charm. :)
(http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj545/haveyouseenhim/DSC08570_zps75e946c6.jpg)
Cool Mike!
Yeah, I sometimes use a syringe with flux as well. It works just as well as the flux pen. In fact, it allows for more precise application.
Quote from: chromesphere on August 14, 2013, 02:58:24 AM
Hey Mike, what are you planning on doing with those (2 of) little suckers? 1590a?
Paul
Maybe........ ;)
(http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj545/haveyouseenhim/DSC08574_zpsc7433b9b.jpg)
NICE! :D
There may be a clipping switch on the second boost if I can pull a rabbit out of my ass and find the space for it.