I would buy a hot air (de-)solder tool and practice for an hour or so reworking surface mount components.
I grew up in the 1980s totally into electronics, etching my own PCBs and eventually made it a career. I soldered a *lot*, learning it with enthusiasm because it was a hobby.
My employer produces WCSP with 0.4mm pitch and frankly, I find it easier hand replacing a tiny WCSP chip with 20 solder balls than replacing one through hole part in a multi layer board without damaging something.
Replacing an SMD transistor is super easy, much easier than a through hole part. Just try it.
West Chicago, IL
