Soldering Iron Tip

• Use a soldering iron tip that is thin, pointed and curved. The curvature of the tip helps in reaching the extremely small interface of SMD component's terminals and corresponding pads. The thin and pointed tip does not let the solder flow to nearby pads during soldering.
  
  

Magnifying Glass

• Use a magnifying glass with a stand while soldering. The SMD devices are very small and a magnifying glass helps in placing the soldering tip at the right position, thus eliminating the chances of under-soldering or over-soldering. Under-soldering may introduce resistance while over-soldering may result in electrical shorts with nearby pads and traces.
  
  

Tweezers

• Use tweezers to handle the SMD components and to keep them in place while soldering. Usually you melt a small amount of solder on one of the pads and, while it is in molten state, place the component in its place using tweezers such that the molten solder covers one of its terminals. Removing the solder tip then quickly solidifies the solder and fixes the component in its place. The second terminal can then be soldered while gently pressing the component from the top with tweezers to keep it in place during the process.
  
  

Soldering Iron Temperature

• It is never a good idea to overheat the soldering iron. Overheating can cause damage to the component being soldered as well as other components connected at that point. In general a temperature of 400 degree Celsius is sufficient, though experienced individuals who can solder very quickly sometimes go up to 450 degree Celsius. Keep in mind that SMD components are small and if the temperature is high, the heat can quickly transfer to the other side of the device and melt the solder there, thus dislodging the device from its place.