I use APC. Perhaps their finish is thicker than others, or maybe I'm just high.
I usually get enough solder to wick up to a 0805 resistor to produce a reasonable fillet. I then give it a good tug with a pair of tweezers to make sure everything is good.
My iron usually has solder on it from tinning (not a lot though, I wipe it on one of those metal ribbon pad).
With IC's I can usually watch the solder reflow and the leg sink a bit.
All that said, I don't hesitate to put more if it's not getting a good joint. YMMV.
You're right about the solder mask, I had my terminology wrong: the solder mask is the plastic stuff that they coat boards in. I was thinking of the solder finish on the pads.
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I use APC. Perhaps their finish is thicker than others, or maybe I'm just high.
I usually get enough solder to wick up to a 0805 resistor to produce a reasonable fillet. I then give it a good tug with a pair of tweezers to make sure everything is good. My iron usually has solder on it from tinning (not a lot though, I wipe it on one of those metal ribbon pad). With IC's I can usually watch the solder reflow and the leg sink a bit.
All that said, I don't hesitate to put more if it's not getting a good joint. YMMV.
You're right about the solder mask, I had my terminology wrong: the solder mask is the plastic stuff that they coat boards in. I was thinking of the solder finish on the pads.