GikfunDIY SMD SMT Welding Practice Soldering Skill Training Board NE555 CD4017 Water Flowing Led DIY Kit EK1885

I bought this for its intended purpose: Learning how, but more importantly, practicing soldering a variety of SMD components. It was successful 5 minutes into the project as I opened the package and started looking at the miniscule bits and figuring out how to determine where they went on the board.The package included instructions, but they were in Chinese for the most part. That being said, the PCB is marked with identifiers that can be referenced against the parts list and you can figure out what needs to go where. The only part I was confused by was the fact that you are supplied with some extra parts for practice. I recommend using a portable device and Google Lens/Google translate to translate the Chinese instructions.I did get a pretty good laugh out of the translation for the second row of components that were included JUST for practice and were not necessary for actually making the LED circuit work: "The following components are the combat equipment for practice."Overall this is a really good kit for the price, the quality is great and robust, it's not going to be something that falls apart while you're trying to put it together. I'd say this is more intermediate level than beginner though. Understanding how to apply small amounts of solder and control your iron or heat gun is going to be vital for preparing the PCB for populating. If you aren't there yet, watch some youtube videos and practice just putting solder on pads and using flux to make things go smoothly. I would even buy these as gifts for electronics geeks that are curious about getting into electronics as a hobby or just want to put together a kit for fun!

If your starting off with electronics you may find this challenging, SMD component’s are normally on a reel for a pick and place machine and this is why you will find none of the cut of strips label up. Resistors are easy look up SMD resistor codes and you will find may calculators to help you. Caps are no so easy but if you look at the BOM you can match quantity’s with value or get you meter out and test one to find value. As I did you may find only one diode but not issue as they all do the same thing. LEDs have a green dot you align with board all in all a good bit of fun to test your skills with. I had one IC with a bent leg that lifted the IC and created an issue soldering but all part of the challenge.Don’t wade in and expect an easy ride have a good soldering Iron good grade of solder 0.5mm nothing bigger, good quality tweezers and paste flux grease RMA223 will help to flow solder or fix issues with poor soldering. Take your time start with resistors then caps, diodes, leds and last chips.Check as you go along solder a resitter check value with a meter same with caps and diode check LEDs so you know they are the correct way round.Open only a small section 1 to 4 component’s from a strip into a tray and take your time or you may loose a component and when it gone there is not second chances. Clean you table before starting and take your time.If you have a SMD heat gun and SMD microscope this will help loads as by eye this is not easy and you will solder the LEDs the wrong way round if you cant see the markings.Have fun I did and don’t forget you can strip other scrap SMD components of other boards and then use this board to practice more replacing them.

This board kit is extremely beneficial for enhancing your surface mount component soldering skills, but sadly, upon completion and a careful double-checking, the board did not function. I believe it was a resistor issue, as the components in the kit I received where not the same as the others I'v seen on YouTube.The company reached out to me offering a full refund/replacement which I found extremely honorable and greatly appreciated.My personal soldering skills have definitely improved with the use of these kits, this is my second kit.I also find these somewhat relaxing and therapeutic to build, as they require concentration.

Great for learning how to or refreshing surface mount soldering skills if you were once a master. Not sure what the lights are supposed to do once it's done. You do only get enough components for 1 attempt, no spares. However the chips at the side are not used in the circuit so I felt bad putting them on. No sorry, I put them on badly that was it.

it's a nice kit but no real instructions just a board diagram. i didn't have a problem putting it together but if you don't know what electronics are what then you will struggle but works good and fun little project