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Great video on an important topic. Yes, it can be done! My hands have become quite shaky in recent years (not sure if it's age, or medication, or something worse), but I'm successfully dealing with _smaller_ parts as my tools and skills improve. A few strategies that have helped me: - Rest your palms on the table when you need fine control. This takes any shakiness in your wrists or arms out of the picture, so you only have to worry about your fingers. - Make sure you are seated comfortably, and the device you're working on is in the most convenient orientation possible. - Use a clamp/clip/stand/whatever to hold the device or part, instead of trying to hold it in your hand. I use 4-inch Irwin "Handi-Clamp" constantly for this. - For things like 603 passives, instead of placing it with tweezers, just drop it on the board and push it into place with a pick tool. - Don't let the frustration get to you. If it's not working, step back, regroup, and think about what you might be able to do differently. Good luck, everyone!

"A man's got to know his limitations." "Technique! Technique! Technique! Technique! ... Pelvic Thrust!! WOOOOOO!!!!"

The elbow method was awesome. Always learn a lot from your videos.

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

that's what they're here for!

Hmmm. I have hand shakiness. As well. Pretty sure it's called "essential tremor" I've had it more or less all my life. It only bothers me when I try and draw fine detail (or could relate to soldering I guess) and when people ask me what's wrong or if I'm on drugs... and just tends to make my self conscious and even shakier.

Yes…I’m 5 years late to the party, but, it’s only right to say Thank You, sir! It’s 2021, and people are still criticizing other people’s techniques. You making this video shows a great level of maturity and proficiency. You have helped me today.

i know you don't want to share about your hands... but both my father and I have essential tremor and ever since seeing you do this stuff with your minor shakes, I don't beat myself up so much anymore when it comes to my hands just not listening to me when I do something that requires fine motor skills. it's inspiring seeing you just keep on going the way you do and using strategy to give yourself all the help you can while you work.

Your opening reminded me of a lesson from a mentor back very earlier in my career. "A professional does his best work - when he least feels like it"

It's funny you should mention this. I've been watching your videos for a couple of weeks now, and I've always thought that I never would be able to do what you do because of my shaky hands. After seeing this video, I feel a little more confident that I may be able to do soldering at that level some day.

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

Go for it!!

@kindadim

3 ай бұрын

did you manage to get it figured out? :)

You have too many very much patience and understanding for stupid people. I can't believe you took the time to turn negative / obnoxious comments into such a positive, motivational, and all around good spirited 13 mins of content. Good for you sir. If only more had your intelligence and good heartedness the world would certainly be a different place. As always, thank you for your time and dedication to actually making a difference for so many people.

Been wanting to comment on this channel for some time and this is the perfect intro... first video I saw (can't remember which one) I thought I was watching some NASA scientist doing robotic micro-surgery and I was transfixed... and then 5 minutes later I was a subscriber. I've had MS for about 25 years so when I watch you work, to me it looks like brain surgery. And if you do have some medical issue... it's no one's effin' business but your own so carry on, brother carry on. I only wish I had as much insight as you do now when I started in the computer industry in 1984... two months after the first Macintosh rolled on the show room floor. Owned my own IT consulting business for 22 years so I've felt every pain, every whiny "what have you done for me TODAY" customer, every supply chain problem you share and it just gives GREAT pleasure to see someone else successfully doing what they love despite all the challenges. Don't stop.

Louis, it like watching Tai-chi when you do this stuff. You know how flux and solder behave so intimately all you have to do is give it a little nudge and it will dance into place for you.

I am fairly new to your channel but want to tell you that you don't know how refreshing it is to watch your videos. Your honesty, sincerity and work ethic seem to be quite rare these days. Your willingness to share your knowledge when you have little or nothing to gain from it is uplifting. I'm chronically ill and permanently disabled tech and I shake a LOT! Mostly from coffee but hey ... I LIKES my java. Folks give me a lot of defective electronics that I fiddle with on my workbench. While I rarely see an Apple I have gleaned a great deal concerning technique from you. Just want to let you know you're appreciated!

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

+D Pyles thank you! Best of luck to you with everything you fix

People ask me allot of personal questions too. I completely understand your hesitance of sharing your personal life. As always, nice to see another board working. Wow, one missed bill and ConED shut your power off. You must have those smart meters.

Thank you Louis for all the so informative and interesting videos!

your videos are amazing. they not only inspire people in related jobs/fields they are inspirational in general. I enjoy watching them to the end.

Love this channel man! Keep up the good work

Just found you and subscribed. You're great at what you do and I'm learning a ton!

Watching your video's its nice to see someone with common sense and honesty, nobody is perfect

Thank's Louis. I really learned a lot today from you. Keep it up

Louis Thank You for this video I'm in the early stages of starting a business repairing automotive electronics (dash clusters, control units etc) and have been watching your videos for soldering techniques and some of the T/s you do does cross over to the stuff I work with. One thing that has been holding me back is my hands shaking when doing small smd components. Like you I have good and bad days. Thanks for the encouragement I think I'm going grab some junk boards and practice. On another note I live in Texas, but from NJ wife from NY Long Island next time I'm in the city would like to stop by your shop and shake your hand if that would be ok. Thanks again for all your help

Thank you so much for this

Thank you Loise for being so giving with your time and expertise it is a very admiral quality

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

+Jody Cullimore thanks for watching

i have fairly severe essential tremors and love doing this kind of work. thanks for this vid

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

thanks for watching!

Louis, you have the best setup, work-wise and camera-wise. You never half-ass anything and that's why I respect the fuck out of you. Keep doing what you're doing man and I'll keep watching!

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

will do!

You're great! I love your stuff!

I loved this upload with this friendly message.

wow glad to know! thanks for this video

Thank you so much

You have encouraged me. Enough said.

Great video - Thank you

Thanks for making this

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

love your style and character.

Thanks a lot.

Louis, all i can say is that i wished my own hands were as steady as yours! Ignore the stupid comments. If you can get the job done neatly then what is the problem? No problem at all.

wicked bid, great subject.

10:20 Back is lookin' jacked sonnnn!

Louis your not the only one who's hands shake when soldering when I started a long time ago before you were born my hands shook now I am old and have arthritus my hands are not good but like you I found my own way of doing tricky soldereing good on you.

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

finding your own way to do your job is the most rewarding part of this

holy crap, awesome tip, thanks

love your vids bro

thank you

6:28 Given you have good flux, solder, and a proper iron tip. I seem to struggle with a few things: My flux paste is so thick I have to heat it with my soldering iron first to get it out of the needle My soldering iron does not like to hold on to solder very well (putting a blob on it and draggin it around is sort of impossible) Hot air specific: There is no way to reflow or reball a component without burning my fingers (how does everyone do it) No hate though, I seem to be getting better, even managed to fix up an iPhone 6 lately by swapping a few ICs. I should probably go and get a microscope next (dont ask me how Ive been doing it so far without one :P)

@Magikflame

4 жыл бұрын

"My soldering iron does not like to hold on to solder very well (putting a blob on it and draggin it around is sort of impossible)" Sounds like your iron temp. is way too high, the oppossite happens when its too low - just above solders melting point - some ~ 35 degrees hotter for lead free flavours.... Does it actually look like a blob when you put solder on the tip of your iron ? it's called tinning the tip and is important to be able to solder with ease. get into the habit of wiping the hot tip on either the moist sponge or the scrunchy metal kitchen lookin type scourer thing that you get in a small black dome holder effort. I find lead free solder horrible stuff personally.....

thank you louis, feels good man

Have had a tremor since I was young, but been working with my hands as a main focus for most of my hobbies and interests since - Shaky hands don't effect much once you're used to it. I also do surface mount work and board repair - I'm 30 and been in the business for a decade.

You are amazing!! I actually thought you were going to solder pin by pin..

I've got an essential tremor, and I'm still very young. Parkinson's also runs in my family. I've found that the best help for me is using magnification and good lighting, along with helping hands to hold things. I try to reduce any other difficulties that could arise, in order to make my work as consistent as possible. I've nearly perfected holding multiple things in my left hand at once (Holding wires, while feeding solder and securing the board), because my left is so much less shaky than my right. Before a lot of practice, even soldering full size components was very difficult, but with time it's become a lot easier.

im not sure what happened but I tried soldering on the iPhone 13 pro max LCD, it was a white screen and now it became black. not sure if the copper wire I used is insulated

This is a whole another level of ASMR...you actually gain knowledge from this...

Thank you. Bring a problem for me

Quick question: when anchoring the video connector, why don't you put solder on the anchor pads beforehand, like you do when soldering caps and resistors? Wouldn't that help avoid solder leaking into the connector?

I think a lot of your people do not realizes HOW SMALL those component's are may be show them a tip of a ink pen and one of the resistor ... I think you do a great job

I don't have steady hands but I replaced my old gameboy color's speaker with an olds DS lites speaker :D (had to solder wires) (my first try pretty much failed a long time ago. but I've been watching your videos lately and tried again and it works now)

The first TSOP flash chip I soldered, I used a $8 Gaojie iron.

Teaching us a lot as always, bravo and thanks! So... If you don't want to use that blob of solder to connect two of your pins, how do you get rid of it? Touch the hot iron only on the blob and suck it on the iron?

Your video microscope quality thing is gorgeous.

What are some really good video microscope would you recommend for microsoldering?

I know this is an old video louis but the slower you get the work to your head and the higher you can lift you arms greatly helps in steadiness. Look how watchmakers work. They can rest the entirety of their arm so there is fewer muscles to shake around and be shake less because their back is stressed less too. I'm 6'3'' so I got a watchmakers desk, and put it on top of two smaller other desks to each side, then fashioned a chin rest. Shaking basically doesn't happen anymore for my watch and electronic work despite me turning 40.

Black shirt and red background. Perfect. Any screen shot from this video.

Dear Louis. I won't ask what the shakiness is caused by, but out of care and interest, is it possible that it might change (for better or worse) with time? And is there potentially anything that could be done if it were to get worse, if that might happen?

man ignore the comments ur good at what you do just keep uploading love your content

Great Video! I got shaking hands to. Louis, I wanna buy soldering stantion Lukey 868 . She have Hakko solder and no name hot air blower . The stantion need little upgrade but it simple for me (and she cheap). So what you say ? Good for enter to the SMD world ?

Having shaky hands might affect the way you work but it still can be done, also soldering has actually helped me steady my hands

Would using a bevel tip make it easier to apply that elbow method?

I'm the seventh person to comment within the last year so this is what it feels like to be on the front of the line (this video was recommended to me and will probably be recommended to thousands of other Louis Rossmann group fans because there was a question about shaky hands in a recent upload)

Nice Notorious B.I.G. reference!

I have to admit I don't get it. Who has steadyer hands than you? x45 microscope makes a brainsurgeon look bad! ffs. Also, with that shirt on you look like Vin Diesels little brother. :D in a good way.

@Steamrick

8 жыл бұрын

I don't doubt that his handshake problems are real - my brother also has really shaky hands - but you're right, x45 magnification will make anyone look unsteady.

@JanCiger

8 жыл бұрын

He is *not* soldering under the 45x magnification. That is only the zoom of the camera he is using for inspecting the work and for video. The optical microscope he has likely magnifies only 5-7x maximum, you don't really need more than that for soldering. Soldering with 45x magnification would be next to impossible, because you wouldn't be able to see where the soldering iron's tip is relative to the work until you literally hit the part with it. The field of view is important and at such magnification it is very small.

@ZeroG84

8 жыл бұрын

+Jan Ciger, What ever the number, I just don't see it. :)

@numbah12time

8 жыл бұрын

it is actually 420x magnification dude.

@JanCiger

8 жыл бұрын

I think you have missed a decimal point, dude. Those components have usually pin pitch (distance between two pins) on the order of 0.4-0.5mm, 420x magnification would make two neighbouring pins appear 16cm (!) apart. 400+ magnification is the highest magnification that is commonly used by lab microscopes to count blood cells or to check cancer cells (for example).

Hey Louis, you probably answered this already somewhere before... What type of soldering iron (small tip) is that? Thank you

@fabiuh991

8 жыл бұрын

Sorry, just found online its a type B tip right? That would make my day everyday =P Must be somewhat xpensive. Any particulary recomendation for the smt rookie?

how does this elbow method work? how does it automatically solder it perfectly??

Always wondered, what consideration do you take regarding ESD? I Know it's a problem people love to overhype, but I just wondered due to you being in the field.

I have watched surgeons on TV doing operations that had really shaky hands. They still manage to undertake very delicate surgery. Strategies and technique can help to achieve a goal. I think I have days when I am very bad and others when rock steady Alcohol is the worst and coffee can be too.

I have essential tremor and have always used little tricks to be able to accomplish fine motor skill tasks, I also would drink a few beers before working on things, but my hands keep getting worse, its to the point now where i am constantly burning and cutting myself.

the elbow method works great every time i did my first ever micro solder job on a USB sound board thingie ripped out of a USB headset still working ill see if i can find photos if not ill take some and send them to you its a cluster fuck of a job but eh was done with a $10 soldering iron and crap lighting

my arm is usually a lot more unsteady when I'm not balancing with my wrist. think of it like writing on paper vs on a chalkboard

I have a tremor and do SMD soldering. It takes longer but I can do it. Not sure about iPhone soldering...

Do you have a video where you go through the role of all the different tools and methods you use? When you use the soldering iron and the solder and the flux, I haven't a ucking clue why the solder doesn't just leak all over the board or why the plastic doesn't melt etc!

Hi, me again. Ah, technique! But also perhaps working with magnification. I've found that if I use say a x3 glass my shakes have just one third of the amplitude. Never occurred to me to try more magnification. I know, very sad case - but then, I'm in my retirement years. If you pick this up and have the time can you advise what that microscope is, what power(s) you use, which irons you like best and why? My late Dad had Parkinsons and I just hope and pray I don't. It's rather distressing, losing the ability to do a hobby I greatly enjoyed. Cheers Louis, and thanks for posting. It's quite a brave thing to do. Bob UK.

Early onset parkinson's! LOL

@tallredmaple9224

8 жыл бұрын

It may even be

@angus6858

8 жыл бұрын

***** I fucking lost it when he said that

@angus6858

8 жыл бұрын

I just thought some people might have unsteady hands due to not being that co-ordinated. He did say that he didn't play much sports so I think he didn't develop much co-ordination

@12345shipreck

8 жыл бұрын

#Dyspraxia

Hi Louis, You're literally under the microscope in the public eye's. Haters going to hate, I've been working in the tech field for a while now and I didn't even notice anything about your hand movements. I look and the solder joints, on that connector and they are wicked fine, they are perfect joints. Your also right people only like to get their "best work" on display, and you can tell you don't edit your video's much, I kinda like watching the "in-betweener's", I think it's more natural and it flows better, and it's kinda funny as hell! It's all apple's fault anyways. Thanks for posting your videos Louis :)

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

i agree, it is all apple's fault anyways :)))

I have essential tremor myself which increases with anxiety, propranolol helps keep a steady hand, you should see a neurologist if you haven't.

Nice hakko back there :) I use hakko everything i can get my hands on XD

tip: hang the solder with rubber band to create a tension. it will act like spring and shock absorber. or add some weight.

Something that plagues me a lot is replacing the tip on the iron. While I'm pretty well versed in such things as redressing a tip or replacing it others might not be. This leads me to think that this might be a good topic for your channel. I've known several people who will grind a tip down far beyond what it should be. This can cause the tip to become too hot if it's the type that screw in. If it's the kind that are held in by a set screw it might not have enough thermal mass or enough contact with the heating element to work at all. It might also be a good idea to discuss types of solder and various gauges for different jobs.

Hi Lois. I'veonly got 90 seconds in so far and I like your channel! That microscope looks interesting.....Bob UK.

Have you heard about Tekserver Louis? Sadly closing down, and I feel like it was the only other service place that was reliable in the NYC area. :(

@rossmanngroup

8 жыл бұрын

sad what's sad about it, they talk about unauthorized facilities like we're scammers. good riddance.

wow, a hakko iron!?! I was expecting to see some huge $3k microprocessor controlled induction rework station with N2 purging and automatic wire feeding. That's cool. I want one of those hakko irons really bad. they used to be dirt cheap until everyone realized how good they are and the have substantially increased the price. too bad I didn't get in on the ground floor with those as they've almost doubled in price.

@Boz1211111

7 ай бұрын

Have you got the iron? T12 clones are good buy now

Ive shaky hands as well and am actually even slightly younger. I dont mind except for the constant comments and most of the time it doesnt effect me but there are times when its really difficult to concentrate and steady my hands. Specifically in a lab when doing electrophoresis id have to use a large pipette (similar to a soldering iron but cant be held as a pen and has a button on top of it that needs to be pushed precisely) to insert a sample into a 1mm wide slot. Thing is the gel is super fragile and if you miss you can ruin the entire process. So yeah steady hands are huge advantage but the most important thing is to stop for a second and calm yourself because if you or someone else tries to rush you then obviously its only going to get worse.

@ibjessa

8 жыл бұрын

Jan--pipetting can be done with way more precision than microsoldering. Park your elbows on the bench. Lower your chair so you are close to the rig. Grab your pipettor as normal in one hand. With your other hand grab it near the tip. You are now making a very stable triangle--elbows, pipettor top, pipettor bottom. Use both hands to guide the pipettor from the tube to the gel and pipette with ease and precision every time. You're right, the shakes will kill you if you try to do it one handed with some sample you spent all day making!

@AltarenGalil

8 жыл бұрын

Jessa Jones yea ive done that whenever possible but quite often ill get remarks on how im too slow and i should use one hand to pipette and the other to handle microcentrifuge tubes or other stuff. Either way even with both hands ill usually struggle a bit cause im a pretty big guy and its still a strange position. Ill sometimes use one hand and then just stabilize the pipette by touching it and maybe holding it slightly. I think in general i do a good job but i did mess up a few gels and that was a bit of extra work i had to do so now most cases i just take my sweet time and do it slowly.

@AltarenGalil

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks, that always was my thinking. And its not really problematic just wanted to point out how shaky hands are pretty common and arent always a sign of something like drug abuse or disease like some people might think. Also really cool to learn that you have experience with biology, on top of working with electronics.

Louis F#$@k all the people that talk bad about your videos, or the way you teach,....thank you for your contribution to society,. and thank you for being a teacher..

Your the best don't worry about Internet trolls Keep up the good work

shaky hands - - less coffee :) or more coffee and better technique. "na your a pro" something that helped me is practice on old boards I can now solder stuff I thought I would never be able to do.. good video as always :)

Your smart. Your explanation is good too. You should also be an Under Armour endorser :D Great job man!!

i want to get into EE but i get a bit shaky when everyone is looking at me and if we have to work in a team i will shake my hands lmao. but i forsure can do it alone. np.

Yes I can, the question is: can you? ;) I have extremely unsteady hands, but found ways to get around that including my own special soldering iron handles. You need to learn to listen to your body and then compensate just at the right points, it is amazing what you can do with the right technique once you learned to know your body instead of seeing your hands as some tools that never do what you want ^^

what temps setting should i set if im soldering smd parts?

@rossmanngroup

5 жыл бұрын

What speed should I drive down a road?

Everybody's hands will shake some trying to stay steady working under a microscope. proper hand bracing or steady rest for your arms helps a lot. just like writing, you're handwriting will be much better working in the right desk setting that works for you.

as soon as he mentioned Con Edison I couldn't help but think of ERB for some reason

Is that from a Mac. It booted white screen

Regarding shaking hands, magnesium I can recommend highly.

Man, you're right! The most important thing starts at 12:02

louis why do you use so much flux does it not get in the way of being able to see. sorry if the question is a bit stupid.

After watching your videos for about a week, I'm starting to consider the possibility of getting into this line of work, but I'm already 20 and going into a 3 year degree course, meaning I'll be in my mid 20s before I can start working, do you think it would be worth it? I have no real experience with component level repair although I do have a decent brain for learning this kind of thing, and I've been around computers my whole life, how viable do you think it could be for me?

@bahaak.6684

8 жыл бұрын

You always do a little side gig with fixing iphones and customizing im 16 and do it makes great money

@bahaak.6684

8 жыл бұрын

+Wolf.Felix could always*

@emrys9547

8 жыл бұрын

Hmm, true but I don't have any equipment etc

@bahaak.6684

8 жыл бұрын

I dont have equipment either I just buy brand bew lcds and replace the whole screen and i can make the apple logo light up and etc