Reddit reviews Hakko CHP 3-SA Stainless Steel Non-Magnetic Precision Tweezers with Very Fine Point Tips for Microelectronics Applications, 4-3/4" Length

Not to worry, they're all still waiting for their Amazon order to arrive, so they won't be needing this quite yet.

>Nah, regular tweezers are less narrow most of the time.

these suckers are my go to, are $5 a pair, are insanely strong, yet are so dang narrow that I regularly stab myself to the point of drawing blood while aimlessly twiddling them

https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-3-SA-Non-Magnetic-Microelectronics-Applications/dp/B00FZPEWI6

but yeah, the msafe jack is a series of tiny neodiddlys covered by a thin piece of plastic. but yeaher, if you have five bones to spare and want to expereince the best bang for your buck tweezers money can buy, I can't endorse these guys hard enough. I used to be big on aven which are a budget japanese brand and cost 5X more, yet aren't as well built or rugged. CHP for life

Someone posted what I use but deleted their comment so:

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Tweezers: https://www.amazon.ca/Hakko-3-SA-Non-Magnetic-Microelectronics-Applications/dp/B00FZPEWI6/

I use a hot air station: https://www.amazon.ca/WEP-858D-Soldering-Station-Suitable/dp/B0055B6NGE/

Pcb Holder: https://www.amazon.ca/Circuit-Holder-Adjustable-Soldering-Repairing/dp/B075DCBR24/

Microscope to find bad joints and loose solder balls: https://www.amazon.ca/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/

Solder paste: https://www.digikey.ca/products/en/soldering-desoldering-rework-products/solder/262?FV=ffe00106%2C2dc186b&quantity=0&ColumnSort=-1000009&page=1&pageSize=25&pkeyword=solder+paste

I like these to clean paste or flux https://www.amazon.ca/MG-Chemicals-Tapered-Cotton-Length/dp/B008OA8488/

Conical Tip for small pin fixing https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/578-ETS

Beveled tip for drag soldering if needed https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/577-EW-511

ST-Link-v2 (programmer) https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/stmicroelectronics/ST-LINK-V2/497-10484-ND/2214535

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What I do is put a glob of paste on a piece of paper and dip the syringe tip lightly to make a smaller glob hang off the tip, then place the small glob from the tip on the pad I'm doing. I know this isn't the right way but its the easiest I've done.

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When the pieces are in place I set the hot air to 450ish and lower air flow so it doesn't blow pieces off the board. When the solder solidifies most the time everything gets aligned to the pads (capacitors will randomly stick straight up but is fixed by poking it with tweezers)

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I start with Ic's then check under the microscope for bridges or loose solder balls. then resistors/caps. Double check again for anything wrong and if its good program it with the st-link. Once thats good I put on the pots/buttons/leds

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For faceplates, I tried at first to 3d print them. Didn't look the best, made it look cheap. So I just order faceplates when I order the pcb's now. They cost a lot but I want them to look nice when done.

For flush cutters/snippers (don't need two tools really) get either:

• https://www.amazon.com/Xcelite-170M-General-Shearcutter-Diagonal/dp/B0002BBZIS or
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CHP-170-Micro-Cutter/dp/B00FZPDG1K
  
  Even the cheapest ESD tweezers are ok for holding components, get a kit that includes angled ones if you're going to do a bunch of SMD.
  
  These are good also: https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-3-SA-Non-Magnetic-Microelectronics-Applications/dp/B00FZPEWI6

This is the same thing I posted in response to a similar question a while back.

I'd suggest the Hakko FX-888D as it is a cheap temperature controlled station and you'll get better results quicker than with a cheap iron. You certainly can go with a cheaper Weller station but you may end up fighting with it a bit if you move beyond very basic work. For solder, stick with leaded 60/40 or 63/37 as it will flow out easier and at a lower temperature. Don't forget useful things like solder wick/desoldering braid, tweezers, and cutters.

To practice, start collecting old electronics and removing parts. Once the parts are out, put them back in. This will get you comfortable with the techniques without risking something valuable. The other option is to go to eBay and buy cheap kits from China for a few dollars and build them.

Pace has some outstanding soldering videos on YouTube. They are a bit old but are quite well done and still relevant. I'd suggest you start with these then look up the NASA soldering specifications to see the extreme end of things. You won't do much of what is in the NASA spec but it will give you some good background info.

iFixIt has a soldering tutorial (though it has a few bad habits in it).

Really thin tweezers probably. Maybe drill a thin hole, and screw in a thin screw to pull it out. If you can't you might have to replace the jack.

Edit: Hakko CHP 3-SA Stainless Steel Non-Magnetic Precision Tweezers with Very Fine Point Tips for Microelectronics Applications, 4-3/4" Length https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPEWI6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-k2SCbAXPW0HV

Here are some thin tweezers lol

Right before I graduated from college I was getting into soldering and decided once I got my diplomas I would treat myself to some nice HAKKO equipment using the 30% discount while I was still considered a student. The stuff below is what I purchased. Note that the 30% discount is only applied to the soldering station nothing else. Anyway, if you can splurge, I highly recommend the FX-951-66. It is truly fucking AWESOME. If you are on a tight budget and not sure if soldering as a hobby will stick, get the cheapest HAKKO they sell and it will still be a good unit. I am a huge fan of hakko so clearly I am biased but they are a well-known reputable brand

Hakko Soldering Station, FX-951-66

Hakko T15-JS02 Conical Bent Tip R0.2 / 30deg x 1.6 x 7.9mm for FX-951

Hakko CHP 3-SA Stainless Steel Non-Magnetic Precision Tweezers with Very Fine Point Tips for Microelectronics Applications, 4-3/4" Length

Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutter, 1.5mm Stand-off, Flush Cut, 2.5mm Hardened Carbon Steel Construction, 21-Degree Angled Jaw, 8mm Jaw Length, 16 Gauge Maximum Cutting Capacity