# 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:** 1070
**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:** [May 25, 2022, 5:40am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/1070 "2022-05-25T05:40:30Z")
# Flattening Solder Ahead of Time Further to post #1015. > [@Share tips you have come across](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/1015): > > Solder Flattening with Parallel Pliers. Further to post #1010. Also see post : 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. 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 ahead of time. Prepare few meters so it is ready to go when needed. See the following images for this technique. ![A](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/4/5/0/450d13b08a77d4b21c34748ec6abb4374813c8c6.jpeg) ![B](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/2/4/6/24661350ff4907788eb771edbffacc93623f2c34.jpeg) ![C](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/f/5/9/f59734aac1d4e37b514fa505d76ceba98163a06c.jpeg) ![D](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/d/1/7/d1705fa89e00463234b4e520f86022fe233a8d29.jpeg) --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745)._