[rescue] Sick Dreamcast hacker

[kamakazi]

Yeah. like I said, a fairly high entry threshold.  I didn't say really
difficult, but I was comparing to the "old days" when you could function
with a $30 weller iron and a $15 manual wirewrap tool, and the magnifier
was unnecessary.  Nowadays the $30 weller iron is $50-60, but it isn't
one I would try SM stuff with. :-)  SM boards are a little fussier to
prototype also, the fudges that you could get by with in through hole
boards don't fit in the tolerances of SM stuff.  Got to admit though, an
entirely SM board is neater and easier to troubleshoot than a 3 layer
wire wrap board, even if you color code your wires.  As long as they
don't change the smell of solder its all OK.

Tim

On Tue, 18 Jun 2002 13:00:03 -0400
Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> wrote:

>   I agree on most points, but surface mount simply isn't the obstacle
> that everyone seems to think it is.  Invest in a high-quality Metcal
> or Hakko soldering station, lighted magnifier, and a good (not cheap)
> pair of tweezers, take your time, and it's actually quite easy.  I do
> it nearly every day.
> 
>           -Dave