Lo-tech PCB Assembly - General Notes

Lo-tech PCBs are designed for home assembly by hobbyists - please see Terms and Conditions for more information.

This guide should help you achieve a working board.

General Process

• Thoroughly wash the PCB before assembly with Isopropynol
• Work from the smallest components to the largest, so that they are held in place by the work-surface when soldering
• The use of flux will make it easier to get good joints
• When soldering multi-pin components (such as the IC sockets), solder one pin (only) then check the physical placement before continuing, as adjustment later is difficult
• To fit ICs in sockets, note the orientation via the notch and bend the IC pins to 90°, for example with a chip pin aligning tool like this

After assembly, all flux residues should be removed. All components supplied in Lo-tech Kits are washable, so the assembled board can be either cleaned with a toothbrush and isopropynol, or submersed in an ultrasonic bath (or both). Of course, it should be fully dried before use in a PC.

Surface Mount Components

See SMT Soldering Notes.