I'm always trying to improve my skills and have recently started learning how to solder teeny tiny SMD parts onto boards. I think that since new machines are starting to ship with more and more SMD boards I should probably try and figure this stuff out. I'd rather repair a board then throw it away and some of these boards will probably be fairly expensive. I cringe at the thought of needing to replace the large Playfield PCB's in MMr and AFMr because of a dead LED.

So I've started buying these cheap diy electronic kits. There fun to build, I even had my daughter (6yr) excited to be helping with sorting parts, learning their names and watching me solder. I've made a couple kits, but so far they've been fairly simple. I've built this cheap oscilloscope

https://www.amazon.com/JYE-Oscilloscope-Handheld-Pocket-size-Electronic/dp/B00YZWF2J8/ref=sr_1_7

My next kit will be

http://www.banggood.com/DIY-DS1302-Rotation-LED-Electronic-Clock-Kit-51-SCM-Learning-Board-p-956298.html?rmmds=search

Does any one have soldering tips to share? Any diy Kits you'd recommend?

So far with my little knowledge I've found what works for me. To install a SMD part I'll put a drop of solder on one of the PCB pads, use tweezers and place the part onto the one pad, then once in place I'll solder the other side. Same with a small IC, I'll solder one leg on each side to get it lined up and then go back to finish it off.

Seems pretty easy, I just like the practice now, before it's needed on an important fix.