[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by [527]phil

... I don't use solder paste, i just heat up some solder until i get a small bead on my soldering iron tip. then i touch it to the part to be soldered (very carefully)

Phil,

I strongly suggest that you put a very small glop of solder flux under the pads if you are going to use this method. The flux core solder you use to create the small ball of solder on your iron will be "flux free" after heating and will not do its job of cleaning the oxidation from the component and board pads.

Without the flux (or a very complicated cleaning under inert gas process), you run a good chance of the solder not flowing completely under the pad.

JMHO,

Mike