Through-hole vs SMD: how they differ in size, cost, strength, and assembly, when to use each, how to mix both on one board, and a practical decision guide for connectors, passives, LEDs, and high-vibration applications.
A complete guide to SMD package sizes: how the four-digit imperial and metric codes work, a master size chart for resistors and capacitors, power ratings, hand-soldering difficulty, and practical advice on choosing the right package for your layout.
What an annular ring is, how to calculate its width, the IPC minimums by class, why rings fail through tangency and breakout, and a pre-Gerber CAD checklist to keep yours safe.
