# Share tips you have come across **URL:** \ **Category:** General Electronics\ **Created:** [January 4, 2017, 7:20am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745 "2017-01-04T07:20:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 1015
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/1015 "2022-03-04T00:40:02Z")
# Solder Flattening with Parallel Pliers. Further to post #1010. Also see post : > [@Share tips you have come across](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/1070): > > Flattening Solder Ahead of Time Further to post #1015. It can be difficult to source thin solder for SMD work. Very thin solder seems to not have an appropriate amount of flux. .5mm is a bit too large for soldering SMDs and usually results in using too much. Parallel Pliers work well for flattening solder as you go; the main problem is it cuts into your soldering productivity and your soldering rhythm. If you have a hard plastic or metal roller you can flatten solder quite fast and do it … You can flatten solder to aid in hand soldering of small SMD components. Use cleaned parallel pliers to flatten a length of .5 mm solder. With the flattened solder, you have an easier job in limiting the amount of solder applied to your PCB pads. ![A](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/9/4/8/948460f731229ac3f40e6df143fed8e7061ffb60.jpeg) ![B](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/9/c/a/9cae9582cff4fb52e298b56713df5580edce7227.jpeg) ![C](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/c/8/2/c8229085281c3f092b09fb158b23967680dddb7f.jpeg) ![D](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/5/4/3/5436e72520b4bb7d1ea7346d1798f20ee67f741e.jpeg) ![E](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/6/f/b/6fb32df93aa68ac1b1ca60ca8f3e0597a67d74ba.jpeg) --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745)._