[Elecraft] SMD soldering help

[P.J.Hicks]

I have done a bit  of 0603/4 but mostly 0805 size. What works for me is a small "helper" I made. Actually the first of two; the second is much more elaborate. 
  
I do my boards flat/horizontal in a holding fixture so it doesn't move around. 
  
Then I made a 'T' shaped wire 'holder' that rests on the 'T' crossbar. The leg of the 'T' is long enough to bend into a 'C' as big as needed to reach the part. The end of the leg is sharpened to a small rounded point about 2/3 the width of the SMT or 0.02" and rounded with emery paper. A weight is added to the leg an inch or so above the point. In use I place the part with tweezers or other tool and then set the holder tool working end on top so it holds the SMT part in place. Careful use of the solder pencil tip does the trick. Takes a bit of practice but worked well for me. My newer design works better but is, as I say, more complicated to build but as simple to use. Same principle though. 
  
PJH, N7PXY