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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Thru Hole to SMD transition: How to and What to get

From: James <bitsyboffin@...>
Date: 2014-07-24

I'd say any chinese soldering station which takes 900 series tips ( handle looks like this: http://imgur.com/Uwi6dXS ).

Any hot air station, preferably one that has an auto shut-off (note that it should not shut the air off instantly, it needs a cool-down period), some have fans inside the handle, some have diaphragm pumps inside the base unit, don't ask me which is best.

A combined station is fine too.

Atten, Yihua and Saike are perhaps the most recognisable chinese "brands" in terms of this equipment (but there are many many different badges for basically the same product, or copies of copies of...), just head over to ebay and search for those brand names along with soldering and you'll see what's available, set the low price to about $30 to weed out the tips and replacement elements and stuff.

Note that it is recommended to take your new station part and visually check the assembly for obvious problems, bad earthing, dodgy wiring, that kind of thing, before you power it on the first time :-)

Also grab a cheap pack of 10 900 series iron tips off ebay and see what you like best, somewhat it's personal preference, some people like big and chunky, some people like small and nimble, but having a few tips comes in handy, the very fine pointy one might not be much use in general, but when you really need to get into a tight spot it's nice to have it in your toolbox.



On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 4:02 PM, Stefan Trethan stefan_trethan@... [Homebrew_PCBs] <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
 

Look into getting a hot air rework station. Chinese will do.

You need small tips for the iron and multimeter.
I won't go into recommendations since I feel anything short of JBC is not worth my while and you did not want top of the line.

Steinel heat guns are good, I believe some Sears/Craftsman in the US are Steinel OEM.
Must have closed loop adjustable temperature control, not just two fixed power settings.

You may or may not need magnification, depending on eyesight.

ST




On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 12:43 AM, qz9090@... [Homebrew_PCBs] <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


First of all, I am a hobbiest so I am not looking to acquire top of this line equipment. With that said,

I would like to acquire some new soldering/desoldering/etc. equipment for electronic hobby purposes.


Obviously, whatever I get, I would like to be able to use it for a few years, so durability is key. Also, with more and more components being surface mounted, I would like to make sure the equipment provides me the ability to work with SMD components.


My first thoughts, just for starters, were:

1) a new soldering iron

2) new multimeter (but with what measurements other than the obvious)

3) heat gun (what kind and what temp range)


Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.


Frank P.