Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Hello
I'm a new member, a software developer and tinker-er. My latest
tinkering has taken me into smd and I need to put together a small
rework setup. I want to know what equipment I need. So far it looks
the primary equipment is a stereo boom microscope and a good fine
point hot air solder station.

I'm thinking of picking up a second hand Leica sz4 which seems to be
the old standard. But, I see reasonably priced Amscope units on Ebay
and am wondering if there any good. Does anyone own an Amscope? Any
opinions out there on a low cost scope for smd work?

For a soldering station, I'm thinking of a Weller wad101 or Edsyn
971ha. But I want to get some opinions. Here at work, even though
the guys do most of the rework with regular temp controlled irons.
The consensus seems to be that a good fine point hot air iron is a
must. Any opinions?

Thanks