<div dir="ltr">If the epoxy is a thin enough layer, that method works ok, and keeps the parts in place. Soldering is another matter. I need the gold standard in soldering tips, a steady hand, and lilliputians to do the work. <div>By the way, I did find To220 parts, so I think I'll switch to them... Nothing in between To220 and SOT23 in size, which is a shame.</div><div>I am beginning to think SOT23 can only be soldered by robots.</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, Jun 19, 2021 at 10:42 PM George Bowden <<a href="mailto:gtbowdeng@gmail.com">gtbowdeng@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Hi all<div>Not quite ready to make pcb that accommodate SOT23 devices, I made these breakout boards</div><div>First I spread a thin layer of epoxy on a thin strip of aluminum (cut from roof flashing).</div><div>Then I dip a finger in solder paste to pick up the SOT23 voltage regulators legs up, and press them lightly into the epoxy.</div><div><br></div><div> <img src="cid:ii_kq4r6ggj0" alt="20210619_192414.jpg" width="471" height="194"><br><div><br></div><div>Then i cut into the aluminum towards the ICs just enough to jam 30 gauge wire to hold in place while I solder the wires to the IC legs.</div><div><img src="cid:ii_kq4rgacg1" alt="20210619_211401.jpg" width="471" height="438"><br></div><div>To me it is frustrating that i cannot find fixed 3.3v voltage regulators in larger size packages with dropout voltages less than .4 volts (3.7v-3.3v = 0.4v) </div>-- <br><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">George Bowden 250-893-7423<div>Victoria BC</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">George Bowden 250-893-7423<div>Victoria BC</div></div></div>