HackerBox 0068: SAO Showcase

[HackerBoxes]

https://youtu.be/iTYPia6pGE4
https://hackerboxes.com/products/hac...8-sao-showcase

Assemble fifteen fabulous SAO kits, an SAO Power Badge, and a pair of six-port SAO Showcase boards. Work with a variety of LED technologies while honing your soldering skills.

[technoHerder]

This is an awesome box. I am happy to be a subscriber; thank you for all the fun projects!! Looking forward to more!

[hdanielson]

ordered and will be so fun !!

[dmr]

Hey, Hackerboxes, I took a look at the web page and I've got one question.

How difficult is the soldering on the small surface mount pieces? Can it be done with a good pencil type soldering iron and a steady hand? I had no trouble soldering that pin connector onto the round badge last year. Do I need more skill with small components?

Thanks. :)

[2PAC]

Hey, Hackerboxes, I took a look at the web page and I've got one question.

How difficult is the soldering on the small surface mount pieces? Can it be done with a good pencil type soldering iron and a steady hand? I had no trouble soldering that pin connector onto the round badge last year. Do I need more skill with small components?

Thanks. :)

Not speaking for Hackerboxes but from personal experience most SMD is doable with a normal soldering iron. Expect the SMD CTF SAO to be bordering on the level of impossible if you haven’t done a lot of SMD soldering before.

The best tip I was to apply some solder to one of the pads first, and use that to get the SMD part easily locked in place.

[dmr]

Not speaking for Hackerboxes but from personal experience most SMD is doable with a normal soldering iron. Expect the SMD CTF SAO to be bordering on the level of impossible if you haven’t done a lot of SMD soldering before.

The best tip I was to apply some solder to one of the pads first, and use that to get the SMD part easily locked in place.

Thanks. :)

[dmr]

For those who care (and for those who do not) I was actually able to get all four resistors and all four LEDs soldered in place and all of them work!

This was my first experience, ever, soldering surface mount electronics.

I do, however, have experience doing tricky soldering of other small things, such as in jewelry making and camera repair.