Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Advice on hot air rework station. — Parallax Forums

Advice on hot air rework station.

mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
edited 2009-12-30 19:19 in General Discussion
I realy need a hot air rework station for fixing surface mount boards and removing qfn and bga parts put on incorrectly. Anyone have advice on something good and as cheap as possible. Or maybe someone have one for sale or loan?

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
24 bit LCD Breakout Board now in. $21.99 has backlight driver and touch sensitive decoder.

Comments

  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-12-04 00:52
    Been using HAKKO's for all hot air rework for about 10 years. HAKKO 850B Hot Air Rework stations have been the standard at my last three employers. A used one is on eBay right now for $99. You can buy Chinese knockoffs much less but you WILL get what you pay for. They will work, but will not give you the long haul satisfaction you will need for a hot air rework station. At work, we also use an ERSA IR/PL550 Rework Station for larger BGAs.

    I'll poke around my contacts to see if anyone has a demo unit for sale or a loaner.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Andrew Williams
    WBA Consulting
    WBA-TH1M Sensirion SHT11 Module
    Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, Mar 20, 2010
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2009-12-04 16:59
    We just bought a Weller WR3000M for work...literally just set it up two days ago!
    Haven't tried it...but it has lots of options!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    <FONT>Steve



    What's the best thing to do in a lightning storm? "take a one iron out the bag and hold it straight up above your head, even God cant hit a one iron!"
    Lee Travino after the second time being hit by lightning!
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-12-06 02:47
    I made a post several weeks back about low cost Chinese rework stations available on ebay.
    Search for it, you will find it a useful post I think smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Where am I? Where am I going? Why am I in a handbasket?"
  • SeariderSearider Posts: 290
    edited 2009-12-06 04:25
    I think this is the thread that Holly is talking about

    http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=15&m=360823

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

    Searider
  • James LongJames Long Posts: 1,181
    edited 2009-12-07 08:22
    We bought an Aoyue hot air rework station, and have never had a problem with it.

    store.sra-solder.com/product.php/6264/26

    We do not use the vacuum at all, but the hot air parts works flawlessly. Have a huge number of tips for the station.

    Not the best price for a hot air station, but a pretty good price for what you get.

    James L

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    James L
    Partner/Designer
    Lil Brother SMT Assembly Services

    Are you addicted to technology or Micro-controllers..... then checkout the forums at Savage Circuits. Learn to build your own Gizmos!
  • IRobot2IRobot2 Posts: 164
    edited 2009-12-07 14:05
    I have an Aoyue too, it is the 968 version and I could not be more happy with it. I have had it for about 2 years now and not a single problem. I won't sit here and say it is any where close to the best, but on the cheaper side of things I think I have got MORE out of it than I paid for.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Alex Burke
    "Beware of computer programmers that carry screwdrivers." -Leonard Brandwein
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-12-07 23:02
    I was thinking of getting an 852A, but they seem to be out of stock everywhere.

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-12-08 02:43
    I recently picked up a 968 also. I've not had enough time with it doing SMD to make a valuable judgement but first impressions are quite good. It does what it says on the tin and it was *cheap*.

    I've got a couple of good soldering stations already, including the Hakko my parents bought me while I was at school (a few years ago now), and even the iron on the 968 does a credible job.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    If you always do what you always did, you always get what you always got.
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-12-15 17:40
    got this in an email today:

    http://www.circuitrework.com/features/628.shtml
    www.circuitrework.com/features/628.shtml

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Andrew Williams
    WBA Consulting
    WBA-TH1M Sensirion SHT11 Module
    Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, Mar 20, 2010
  • Jim FouchJim Fouch Posts: 395
    edited 2009-12-16 02:12
    I bought a 852D+ from ebay for ~$100 and it works prett well. I'm no expert, but like others have said, you get what you pay for.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200357778023&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Jim Fouch

    FOUCH SOFTWARE
  • SeariderSearider Posts: 290
    edited 2009-12-17 02:02
    I was thinking of getting a de-solder station with a suction pump but I have a question.

    Can a· Hot-Air Rework station also work with Through-hole components or do you need both and de-solder and hot-air to work on both surface mount and Through-hole ?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

    Searider
  • Jim FouchJim Fouch Posts: 395
    edited 2009-12-17 06:04
    I've used mine to solder through-hole components. You just have to be careful not to heat up other components around where you're working.

    Some people prefer using a hot air station to desolder. I prefer using my Hakko 808. It makes quick work of through-hole components.

    I can salavge a motherboard of all its through-hole components in less than 5 minutes using it. smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Jim Fouch

    FOUCH SOFTWARE
  • SeariderSearider Posts: 290
    edited 2009-12-17 12:28
    Jim,

    thanks for your experience. I figured that a desoldering system was much faster at removing Through-hole components.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

    Searider
  • OakGraphicsOakGraphics Posts: 202
    edited 2009-12-19 16:14
    I read "desolder" and "re-work" for a hot air rework station. What about actual soldering of SMD / SMT / BGA stuff? This is still the way to go - right? Or are you doing an oven / hot plate approach for this? I guess my question is would a hot air station be good enough to 'assemble' all surface mount parts including any propeller chips?


    Seems like the really small stuff might 'blow away'.

    I am thinking of soldering luxeon rebel stars in a matrix and was wondering if this is the way to do it 'at home'.

    Post Edited (OakGraphics) : 12/19/2009 4:19:37 PM GMT
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-12-19 17:07
    They were originally intended for removing and replacing failed or incorrectly placed parts, but they work just as well for the assembly of single boards. Virtually all parts can be assembled using them. They aren't used in manufacture, of course.

    The parts are held in place by the solder paste. You need to keep the air flow down, of course, for smaller parts.

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
  • OakGraphicsOakGraphics Posts: 202
    edited 2009-12-30 19:18
    what do you guys think of this one?
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200357778023&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

    Product Description
    SMT SMD Hot Air Desolder Rework Station /Model: AT-852D+, this product is as good as our other products ever before. Please kindly refer to the details as following:
    Features

    Temperature rapidly rise and adjust conveniently, temperature digital display.
    The temperature is very accurate and reliable, will not affect by air blowing.
    Perfect stand-by function, when the handle is placed on the handle shelf, now the system is on stand-by state, No matter in what location of wind establishes, will blown out breezy to makes the life longer. When get up handle will be on stand-by state.
    Anti-static design, prevent static electricity or the electric leakage form PCB damage.
    Untouched soldering mode, avoid components shifting and thermal shock.
    The air flow and the temperature can be adjust greatly and it can solder or de-solder the QFP and SOP, PLCC, BGA type IC
    Use the import heating element, the spray nozzle is in line with international standards
    It uses the good-quality and high-speed motor to produce cyclostrophic wind, make the heat uniform distribution and has big dynamic range of the thermal power.
    Blow cooling system automatically after shut down equipment, prolong the service life of machine.

    Specifications

    Power Consumption: 280W
    Fan: Soft whirlwind
    Capacity: 23L/min(Max)
    Hot Air Temperature: 100°C~480°C
    Outer Dimensions (W x H x D): 187×135×245mm
    Weight: 4.5KG
    Input

    110V 60Hz or 220-240V 50Hz
    All unit will be sent with input voltage adaptor comply with buyer's country's standard, unless buyer contact us with special request prior to payment made.
  • OakGraphicsOakGraphics Posts: 202
    edited 2009-12-30 19:19
    I am debating between that and the one from sparkfun: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=76
    •Includes four nozzles (A1124, A1130, A1196, A1197)
    •Hot air gun adjustable from 100-500°C (212-896°F)
    •Iron temperature adjustable from 200-480°C (392-896°F)
    •Independent control of flow rate, gun temperature, and iron temperature
    •Independent power switches
    •1 year manufacturer's warranty
    •110VAC Standard Power - 450W (max)
    •ESD Safe
    •12 lbs. shipping weight
Sign In or Register to comment.