Ordered a PCB with SMD connections instead of THT - Help!

[savethewhales]

Hey!

I am building a guitar pedal and I've ordered a printed circuit board from jlcpcb, but I have THT components and I accidentaly ordered some smd pads for some of them.

All of the resistors, the polarized capacitors, and a diode are on this situation..

Now, what can I do? Is there any way to solder my THT components on the "smd spaces"? If so, cutting the legs of the components and try to fit them in the "smd spaces" designed for them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Greetings,

Fred

[11-90-an]

Is there any way to solder my THT components on the "smd spaces"? If so, cutting the legs of the components and try to fit them in the "smd spaces" designed for them?

Well yes, there is a way, but there is also a chance you can't, so we need pictures pleez... 

[Big Monk]

Hey!

I am building a guitar pedal and I've ordered a printed circuit board from jlcpcb, but I have THT components and I accidentaly ordered some smd pads for some of them.

All of the resistors, the polarized capacitors, and a diode are on this situation..

Now, what can I do? Is there any way to solder my THT components on the "smd spaces"? If so, cutting the legs of the components and try to fit them in the "smd spaces" designed for them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Greetings,

Fred

My opinion? Accept the loss and reorder the correct board. I have almost always, and universally, had better results using the right tools for the job rather than trying to make due with something non-ideal. These are proto boards anyway and are not very expensive.

[savethewhales]

Guys thank you so much for the answers.

I'll post a pic as soon as I can (when I'm home).

This whole post is because I'm lacking of time and maybe couldn't afford taking another week to get my hands on another pcb.. Not even mentioning that I paid 6 euros for the PCB plus 21 for the shipping = 27 euros..

[savethewhales]

Here it is, the circuit.

Don't judge me please as I'm alreading doing that, though it's my first pcb.

[11-90-an]

yup, listen to Big Monk. buy another board...

also, your components are smd... you would probably have to make a new layout too..

you could actually solder the components... but it would be impractical and time consuming...

[Big Monk]

yup, listen to Big Monk. buy another board...

also, your components are smd... you would probably have to make a new layout too..

you could actually solder the components... but it would be impractical and time consuming...

It's always a tough pill to swallow when you have taken the time to put something like this together and it gets goofed up but believe us on this one: It will be so time consuming and stress inducing to try and adapt this that you will look back on the new board as money well spent.

Go back to the drawing board and use the correct footprints in your design software and get yourself a new board.

[savethewhales]

Guys, thank you very much for your words.

I will take a little time (hours lol) to think about this, but heavily considering ordering a new board and paying for urgency.

The resistor pads are close to each other and I fear not having space to not let the resistors touch each other (because I would have to use normal resistors and they occupy more space than a smd.

[kraal]

Hi,

I agree that you should use the right footprints and reorder a board. However, before doing it I highly recommend reading articles looking at videos presenting PCB layout best practices. And even before doing the layout of your PCB, try to split the schematics in logical blocs. This will help you design the layout then (place related components together in a logical way.) A good PCB layout should be rather easy to read.

Back to your question you can try soldering TH components in this case in place of SMD components (you have Rs Cs and diodes), but it won't be straightforward.
What you can do if you really plan trying to save your investment is the following:

- keep the legs as short as possible
- pre-tin one pad of each SMD pad
- keep the components in a vertical position
- bend the tip of the legs to have them have a "L" shape (see image below) (if the pad has the shape (LEFT) (RIGHT) I would try to have left pin "L shaped" oriented to the top, and right one "L shaped oriented to the bottom", it should provide more stability
- pre-tin all component legs to be soldered to a SMD pad
- solder the pin to the pre-tined pad keeping it in place with pliers, once fixed, adjust the second pin, keep it in place and solder it, beware of not creating shorts
- hot glue all pins once the result is working
- cross fingers because the layout is difficult to read and thus to debug

Good luck.

[Kevin Mitchell]

A couple tips even though you're not asking for criticism;

Modularize your schematic and let that reflect how you lay out the components. That way parts aren't scattered everywhere and the routes aren't running marathons.

Vias are helpful, but think of it as cheating. Don't route tracks(vias) through the board until you have to. This will help maintain your tracks and allow for easier debugging if something doesn't turn out OK.

Perhaps start by practicing etching your own boards so it's not a costly venture of trial and error.

Good luck!
-KM

[DIY Bass]

The other option is to buy SMD components and hand solder them.

[savethewhales]

Hi,

I agree that you should use the right footprints and reorder a board. However, before doing it I highly recommend reading articles looking at videos presenting PCB layout best practices. And even before doing the layout of your PCB, try to split the schematics in logical blocs. This will help you design the layout then (place related components together in a logical way.) A good PCB layout should be rather easy to read.

That is correct, my pcb is a mess, because I was in a hurry and didn't have enough time to make it look "pretty" (big mistake).

- bend the tip of the legs to have them have a "L" shape (see image below) (if the pad has the shape (LEFT) (RIGHT) I would try to have left pin "L shaped" oriented to the top, and right one "L shaped oriented to the bottom", it should provide more stability

"like this"?

- hot glue all pins once the result is working
- cross fingers because the layout is difficult to read and thus to debug

Ok, i'll buy one.
I've put some points to specifically do the testing after I solder everything. Outgate is one example, let's see if they'll help anything.

A couple tips even though you're not asking for criticism...
...costly venture of trial and error.

As I said up there , I was in a hurry and screwed up big time, however I've put some "test points" so let's see if they help me..

The other option is to buy SMD components and hand solder them.

Thinking about this. I hope the stores I go have them.

[kraal]

That is correct, my pcb is a mess, because I was in a hurry and didn't have enough time to make it look "pretty" (big mistake).

A good layout is not only about "looking good", it's about readability, about avoiding noise, ground management, current return path, length of tracks, widths of tracks, etc.

"like this"?

Yes something like this but try to have the short leg of the "L", as short as possible as the pad size.

Ok, i'll buy one.

If you don't have a hot glue gun, don't buy one just for this. Keep your money.

The other option is to buy SMD components and hand solder them.

Unless you plan using SMD for your future projects, it won't be worth it IMHO. Given how your layout it designed, you can have lots of different issues such as noise. Rather try with the components readily available. Use sockets for expensive ones, keep legs long enough in order to be able to scavenge your board if anything goes wrong.

You made a mistake yes, shit happens, Try to use it as an opportunity to learn and improve.
Next time do not hesitate to ask people here to have a look at your layout.

Regards,

[bluebunny]

Here's a long shot: assuming there's no trace on the opposite side of the board from an SMT pad, you could try drilling your own hole.  But not in the middle of the pad (since you'll have very little to solder to) but overlapping an edge.  Kinda like this:

  ____
|    |
|    O
|____|

[savethewhales]

Yes something like this but try to have the short leg of the "L", as short as possible as the pad size.

You're right.. I tried but not succesfully. The pad is WAY to small. 0603 smd.

Actually just bought a 0.5mm solder and a 0.5mm iron tip, and I'll test on one of the boards to see if it works.

If you don't have a hot glue gun, don't buy one just for this. Keep your money.

I bought a glue tube.. Does it help melting it in the board after everything is ok? Or am I tripping?

Unless you plan using SMD for your future projects, it won't be worth it IMHO...
...Next time do not hesitate to ask people here to have a look at your layout.

I actually haven't found, near me, smd components with the right size for my board, so no deal done.
But thank you very much for your words. I'll not hesitate sharing my layout next time (I hope to have some more time).

Here's a long shot: assuming there's no trace on the opposite side of the board from an SMT pad, you could try drilling your own hole.  But not in the middle of the pad (since you'll have very little to solder to) but overlapping an edge.  Kinda like this:

There are traces on the other side, unfortunately.