I’ve yet to solder my first SMT component, but I think my current project will use them. But not exclusively. One thing where I feel like I might want to hold out and stick with through-hole are for the IC sockets. I still like the idea of using sockets for ICs, so I want to know if such an animal exists. I did find this socket on Mouser:
The picture is wrong for that, but if you look at the datasheet, you can see it is indeed a surface mount. But the holes look weird to me. Will that socket work with most ICs? What holds the pins in place? If it matters, I am looking for a 20 pin socket to hold a TPIC 6A595NE shift register.
Sure that will work, The pins are held in place by friction, they are standard turned pin sockets.
But for £6 I would give it a miss and try SMD chips, SOIC at 1.27mm pitch are quite easy to solder, with regular iron and a low mag magnifier, like a “helping hands” etc
To echo @bobc, it will work but I would also recommend just using the SOIC.
To answer your question: The Mili-Max sockets do look a little different due to being round (and nicer). The datasheet shows in the upper left a rectangular pin size of 0.010 x 0.018":
So you both think I should get over my fear of directly soldering an IC to a circuit board???
I’m ok with this. I think that in the past, it made sense to use sockets, but I think the chips are a lot more forgiving of poor soldering techniques now, so I can probably pull it off.
OK, you convinced me. I’ll try and do this with SMD chips.
Yes. If the chip is damaged simply remove it by cutting its legs with a sharp knife. (Use it at an angle such that you do not damage the board)
After that it is very simple to remove the soldered legs one by one using a soldering iron.
Alternatively you can use a hot air station with a heat directing thingy. Something like this:
