I recently made the switch to SMT and would like to improve my hand-soldering technique. I've been using the method of carrying small amounts of solder to the joints on the end of the iron; but it's slow and I find it hard to regulate the amount of solder on the tip. I end up putting too much on and having to wick it off.
As an experiment, I bought a syringe of solder paste; but I'm not sure how best to apply it. It has a little screw-in red cap. Am I supposed to make a small hole in this with a pin or a drill? It seems very hard to pierce. I've tried smearing paste along a row of IC pads with a pin; but it's hard to control. Should I be able to apply it finely with the syringe? I don't get it.
Any tips?
TIA