MAKE: Surface Mount Hand Soldering

Learn SMD soldering basics, then build your own holographic spinner! Hands-on, beginner-friendly, no experience needed.
About this Event

Surface Mount Hand Soldering: Practice Board to Holographic Spinner

Surface mount components are everywhere in modern electronics, and once you know how to solder them by hand, a whole new world of projects opens up. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of SMD (surface mount device) soldering using the right tools, the right technique, and a healthy dose of patience.

We'll start with the basics on a practice board, working through solder, flux, and tip selection so you understand not just how but why certain combinations work better for different jobs. From there, guided demonstration and supervised practice will help you build the dexterity and confidence needed to handle small-format components without frustration.

Once you've got the fundamentals down, we'll put your new skills to work building a holographic spinner, a fun and satisfying project that shows off exactly what SMD soldering makes possible. Along the way we'll also cover soldering safety, industry standards, and how to choose the right component packages for your future projects.

Whether you're a hobbyist looking to level up your electronics projects or just curious about what's involved in modern circuit assembly, this class will give you a solid foundation to build on.

What You'll Learn

• How to choose the correct solder, flux, and tips for clean, reliable joints
• Proper technique and handling for small-format SMD components
• Industry standards and safety practices for SMD soldering
• How to select component packages for future projects
• Hands-on practice building a working holographic spinner

What to Bring

• Reading glasses or magnification if you typically use them for close-up work
• Closed-toe shoes are required

Class Details

• Skill level: Beginner, no prior soldering experience required
• Class size: 4

Policies

• This class is open to ages 12 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Adults who are only supervising do not need to purchase a ticket. Adults who wish to participate must purchase their own ticket.
• The Liability Waiver must be signed prior to participating in this class.