Homebrew PCBs

I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a pain to solder with my iron. I've been thinking about getting a cheap soldering station, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000HDG0AO, but I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last. (anybody have personal experience in this area?)

Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this: 
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?

Nathan:

Biggest thing for me is that my heat just blew the darn part right off the
board. I also could not get a consistent temperature at the joint. Moving
the heat source even a few millimeters would change the temperature
drastically. I tried applying glue to hold the part down (bad part about
this is you can't fix it later), but I found that the parts were so small,
applying more glue than is needed would coat the pad with plastic cement. I
gave up on this method and went for reflow oven or hand solder. I can hand
solder almost anything now. The Curious Inventer You Tube is excellent for
this.


Chris

On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 9:00 PM, nathan_h_tna <nathanhooyagroups@...>wrote:

> **
>
>
> I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a pain to solder with
> my iron. I've been thinking about getting a cheap soldering station, like
> this one:
> http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000HDG0AO, but
> I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last. (anybody have
> personal experience in this area?)
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I've had an AOYUE Int 2702 (similar to the 968) for about three years
and have been quite satisfied with it.
Cheers,
- Jan

On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM, nathan_h_tna
<nathanhooyagroups@...> wrote:

> I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a pain to solder with my iron. I've been thinking about getting a cheap soldering station, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000HDG0AO, but I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last. (anybody have personal experience in this area?)
>
> Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this:
> http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
> to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

I should add that the solder sucker on the Int 2702 doesn't work very
well, so don't bother with that. But the hot air nozzle and soldering
iron part work fine.
- Jan

On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 8:15 PM, Jan Kok <jan.kok.5y@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've had an AOYUE Int 2702 (similar to the 968) for about three years
> and have been quite satisfied with it.
> Cheers,
> - Jan
>
> On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM, nathan_h_tna
> <nathanhooyagroups@...> wrote:
>> I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a pain to solder with my iron. I've been thinking about getting a cheap soldering station, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000HDG0AO, but I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last. (anybody have personal experience in this area?)
>>
>> Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this:
>> http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
>> to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

I have done this, but usually only for the removal of parts, rarely for the
actual application. I find if you narrow the cone with aluminium foil
and aluminium tape, it helps drastically, as well as reminding yourself NOT
to set it right on your unexposed knee when done. :) Another tip: Use LOTS
of flux paste. get a couple cheap nylon brushes and dab it on like no
tomorrow. I have found that you usually don't need any heat gun unless you
are attempting BGAs or crazy chips like that.

On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 8:21 PM, Jan Kok <jan.kok.5y@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> I should add that the solder sucker on the Int 2702 doesn't work very
> well, so don't bother with that. But the hot air nozzle and soldering
> iron part work fine.
> - Jan
>
>
> On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 8:15 PM, Jan Kok <jan.kok.5y@...> wrote:
> > I've had an AOYUE Int 2702 (similar to the 968) for about three years
> > and have been quite satisfied with it.
> > Cheers,
> > - Jan
> >
> > On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM, nathan_h_tna
> > <nathanhooyagroups@...> wrote:
> >> I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a pain to solder
> with my iron. I've been thinking about getting a cheap soldering station,
> like this one:
> http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000HDG0AO, but
> I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last. (anybody have
> personal experience in this area?)
> >>
> >> Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this:
> >>
> http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
> >> to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ------------------------------------
> >>
> >> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> Photos:
> >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Mon, Jul 04, 2011 at 01:00:10AM -0000, nathan_h_tna wrote:
> Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this: 
> http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
> to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?

Yes. I have a similar heat gun which on its low setting seems perfect
for reflow with leaded SMD solder paste. It's also great for desoldering
all kinds of ICs off old boards, including through hole parts.

Unfortunately it's not really hot enough for unleaded solder paste
and will blow parts away on its high setting. I've had to revert to
flux pen and drag solder.

I have the Aoyue 906 - and it is 'just fine'.

However I use a $30 toaster oven for smd's. This guys turorial works like a charm, and is more reliable and easier to do than with a heat gun. Do the smd first, then through hole manually. It is much more straight forward than it looks.-

http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/200006/oven_art.htm

The timing is not so critical as it may seem and I have not 'ruined' any boards yet. Although I suspect I have fairly tolerant components.  And I guess if the results don't work well for you, I noticed that SparkFun now do a toaster oven controller for reflowing (I havn't tried it though...). 

http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/60



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Dylan Smith <dyls@...> wrote:

>
> On Mon, Jul 04, 2011 at 01:00:10AM -0000, nathan_h_tna wrote:
> > Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this: 
> > http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
> > to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?
> 
> Yes. I have a similar heat gun which on its low setting seems perfect
> for reflow with leaded SMD solder paste. It's also great for desoldering
> all kinds of ICs off old boards, including through hole parts.
> 
> Unfortunately it's not really hot enough for unleaded solder paste
> and will blow parts away on its high setting. I've had to revert to
> flux pen and drag solder.
>

I had Aoyue 968 before, for the budget it's not so bad. Consider buying a preheater (Aoyue 853 is ok), it will make soldering or desoldering easier. Also get all the nozzles you might need at once. Temperature control is not very consistent, I recommend using a thermocouple to get the real temperature. Mostly it was working ok for qfp100 packages, don't expect it to unsolder or solder big packages or BGAs.

I had one for five years and it didn't break, the same for their preheater.



On 4 juil. 2011, at 03:00, "nathan_h_tna" <nathanhooyagroups@...> wrote:

I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a pain to solder with my iron. I've been thinking about getting a cheap soldering station, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000HDG0AO, but I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last. (anybody have personal experience in this area?)

Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this: 
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have an 852+ so lacking the vacuum pickup and extra iron. Keeps good
temperature but have not used enough to assess reliability...

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of nathan_h_tna
> Sent: 04 July 2011 02:00
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Would a heatgun work for soldering smds?
> 
> 
> I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a pain 
> to solder with my iron. I've been thinking about getting a 
> cheap soldering station, like this one: 
> http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000
HDG0AO, but I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last.
(anybody have personal experience in this area?)

Anyways, I read today about how someone used a heatgun like this: 
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100371401/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId
=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
to reflow parts, and now I'm curious if anyone has done this?



------------------------------------

Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links

The uk qrp club published a design to hold smt parts using a spring loaded
knitting needle. Lets try ascii art
So we have a base board say 6" x 4" x 3/8" (I think 150mm x 100mm x 10mm)
Cut a "L" shaped piece of similar material (3" x 2") and mount on the base
board, so we have something like below (bit like sewing machine arm). Take
knitting needle or similar rod with tapered end. Drill hole in end of L and
feed needle through. Fit spring and collar so needle will hold part in place
on board placed underneath...

                                    I -> knitting needle - lift to place
board
                                    I
    I =====================================
    I                                     I
    I                                     I
    I   I==================================
    I   I                           S  -> spring
    I   I                          <I> -> collar
    I   I                           I
    I   I                           v
    I   I                    PCB board with device
===================================================
===================================================

Hope this is enough to build....

I tend to use locking forceps ....

Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Kleeschulte
> Sent: 04 July 2011 02:12
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Would a heatgun work for soldering smds?
> 
> 
> Nathan:
> 
> Biggest thing for me is that my heat just blew the darn part 
> right off the board. I also could not get a consistent 
> temperature at the joint. Moving the heat source even a few 
> millimeters would change the temperature drastically. I tried 
> applying glue to hold the part down (bad part about this is 
> you can't fix it later), but I found that the parts were so 
> small, applying more glue than is needed would coat the pad 
> with plastic cement. I gave up on this method and went for 
> reflow oven or hand solder. I can hand solder almost anything 
> now. The Curious Inventer You Tube is excellent for this.
> 
> 
> Chris
> 
> On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 9:00 PM, nathan_h_tna 
> <nathanhooyagroups@...>wrote:
> 
> > **
> >
> >
> > I have some boards with smt parts that will really be a 
> pain to solder 
> > with my iron. I've been thinking about getting a cheap soldering 
> > station, like this one: 
> > 
> http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital-Rework-Station/dp/B000HDG0AO, 
> > but I don't know if it will work well or how long it will last. 
> > (anybody have personal experience in this area?)
> >
> >
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, 
> Files, and Photos: 
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>