On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:52:12 -0000, you wrote:
>Recently, I started making electronic circuits as a hobby and now
>I want to do more complex stuff like FPGAs.
That's ok, and presumably they don't come in PLCC carriers (a shame),
but you might not want to use BGA's simply because of the soldering
problem. Any other alternatives?
No opinions otherwise, you're far ahead of my aspirations in this
respect. (if not others).
Harvey
>For that I need to solder BGAs. I'm considering buying a hot air
>rework station. So far I'm looking at either
> Aoyue 968 http://www.aoyue.com/en/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=359
>or
> Aoyue 99∗ http://www.aoyue.com/en/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=375
> The first one has a digital display and a soldering iron while the
>other one has a manipulator.
> I already have a good quality soldering iron. Do you think the
>manipulator would be more useful ?
>
> The goal is to be able to build prototypes with BGAs (maybe up to
>500 pins). I only need to build like two boards a year for myself,
>and I am not concerned about the time it takes, as long as I can be
>reasonably sure that it will work.
> Or maybe, I should make a temp controlled toaster oven and
>dispense with the rework station already.
>
> Could someone with more experience share their advices ?
>