How different in size can you go for SMD capacitors?

[SluggerB]

I'm working on bringing an old cell phone back to life. During the repair of the actual damaged part, I accidentally desoldered a few tiny (like grain of sand tiny) cap's off the board which are now forever lost on my basement floor.

I have the schematic of the board so I looked them up and got some replacements, and despite a half dozen attempts, these damn things are WAY to small for me to get on the board. Every time I try it just gets screwed up, the cap flys off from the hot air, I try to put pressure on it and it pops out and goes flying, etc. I don't have the tools needed to work with stuff this tiny

Could I get some larger SMD's with the same specs and use them, as long as I can make contact with the solder pads?

[petehall347]

Re: How different in size can you go for SMD capacitors?

try holding them down with flux when blowing hot air .

[R_J]

Re: How different in size can you go for SMD capacitors?

Sometimes I lay a needle tip across the smd and lay something on it to apply a bit of pressure. the needle tip will hold the smd in place as the solder melts.

[mmartell]

Re: How different in size can you go for SMD capacitors?

try holding them down with flux when blowing hot air .

This works for me as well. If the pads are tinned the component will fall right into place.

[petehall347]

Re: How different in size can you go for SMD capacitors?

with the flux there i find i can add solder if needed but a little tricky to get it right . have tried solder paste but getting the right amount is white man's magic to me . can never get it so it's not too much .