Homebrew PCBs

I also would like to prototype BGA's.

.review of the (dirt cheap) Aoyue hot air station 
http://www.picbasic.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7948

A hot plate may also work.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/present.php?p=Reflow%20Skillet

Norm



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: electronut 
  To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 1:52 PM
  Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] BGA Soldering: Hot air rework station


  Recently, I started making electronic circuits as a hobby and now
  I want to do more complex stuff like FPGAs.
  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 ?



   

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