Homebrew PCBs

hey!, I haven't used a hot-air station yet but I have done the
over-reflow a bunch fo times and I would take the time investment into
making your own rather than the alternative- especially if you are
only oding a few boards per year! Elektor did a great version of the
taoster oven re-flow controlled with an AVR I think, lcd display,
programmable curves, precision control (within reason),, I think the
only complaint was lack of insulation, but you can always stuff with
rockwool or something.

 I have used old style black&decker toaster-oven without any
modification a few times but I got a better one now that I still need
to finish. gluk.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Harvey White <madyn@...> wrote:
>
> 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 ?
> >
>