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Recommend low cost reflow oven? — Parallax Forums

Recommend low cost reflow oven?

LarryGLarryG Posts: 50
edited 2010-07-22 08:26 in General Discussion
I am just doing low volume hobbyist type of stuff, currently using a hot air station and a quarts pre-heat station. I am thinking of stepping up to an oven. But my pockets are not too deep. Can anyone recommend something less than $1,000 that would perform OK for my needs? I see some cheap units on eBay for $400, but not sure of quality.

Thanks for any input.

Larry G.

Comments

  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2010-07-16 15:21
    I use a convection oven for low volume production. Quisinart Exact Heat, around 100 - 150. With lead, set timer to 3 minutes at 300, then 2 minutes at 450. Never had a problem. Unless you needed an oven for larger boards than it can take (10x12?) I am not sure why you would need to spend more for a small operation.

    Post Edited (T Chap) : 7/16/2010 3:29:24 PM GMT
  • LarryGLarryG Posts: 50
    edited 2010-07-16 15:34
    Interesting, thanks T Chap. Do you set the board right on the rack in the oven, or do you use some kind of tray or sheet?
    Should I get one that has the convection feature?

    Post Edited (LarryG) : 7/16/2010 4:00:42 PM GMT
  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2010-07-16 16:35
    www.abt.com/product/38826/Cuisinart-TOB155.html

    I put the boards right on the rack with no trays, slide the tray in after placing the boards carefully on the rack. Too fast and you might displace a part.

    Press "convection bake", press "temp", bump it to 300, press "timer" and set to 3 min, press "start". At 3 minutes it will beep to let you know the timer has stopped, then press "temp" and bump it to 450, press "timer" and set to 2 minutes. It beeps when done. Flawless every time. I always use convection, makes for nice heat coverage.

    You would think this oven was designed for reflow.

    Post Edited (T Chap) : 7/16/2010 4:41:15 PM GMT
    C174-1045-main-af.jpg
    300 x 300 - 58K
  • LarryGLarryG Posts: 50
    edited 2010-07-16 17:19
    This is cool T Chap! I just need to keep my wife from trying to bake cookies in it [noparse]:)[/noparse] Looks like they have them at Best Buy. I going right there from work. Hopefully get my board assembled this weekend.

    Thanks again.

    -Larry G.
  • LarryGLarryG Posts: 50
    edited 2010-07-21 17:46
    OK, bought one from Amazon for $129 USD, could not find it locally. Followed T Chap's baking instructions and it worked great!
  • dredre Posts: 106
    edited 2010-07-21 18:35
    Larry,

    The July issue of Everyday Practical Electronics [noparse][[/noparse]a British publication found in some bookstores] has an article on soldering surface-mounted devices. In it there is a discussion on using a toaster oven.

    cheers, David
  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2010-07-22 08:26
    LarryG - glad your toaster oven soluation worked for you. I have used a toaster oven I bought in Hong Kong for a couple years now on my prototype runs. I built my own controller for it though with an LCD and soldering profile entry and a thermocouple.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Timothy D. Swieter, P.E.
    www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" 16:9 LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT, PropNET, PolkaDOT-51
    www.tdswieter.com
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