[Elecraft] OT - Hot Air Soldering Guns for SMDs

[Byron Servies]

Years ago QST had an article on calibrating and using a toaster oven
and a multi-meter with a k-type probe for reflow soldering.  I have
been using that successfully for years, for about $35.

73, Byron N6NUL

On Sun, Oct 20, 2019 at 5:16 PM Gwen Patton <ardrhi at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I was a backer for the ReflowR computer controlled SMD hot plate a few
> years ago. I had to cough up a little extra for shipping because the
> creator munged up his figures and didn't leave enough for shipping, and was
> selling the things on Tindie to build up cash to send units to his backers
> -- which caused people to get really cheesed off at him. I did get my
> ReflowR, however, one with built in Wi-Fi for control with an app, or it
> has a bunch of preconfigured profiles in it for most reflow jobs. This was
> before ovens like the one you got were available so cheap, so there's only
> a LITTLE buyer's remorse.
>
> It DOES work pretty well, though. Combined with my I-Extruder pen for
> applying solder paste, it makes SMD work much easier. The I-Extruder can be
> used as a vacuum pick-and-place tool as well, or for applying flux in
> controlled amounts. Since I don't work a lot with SMD yet, I use it for
> applying Amtech Tacky Flux (Thank you, Louis Rossmann!) to my thru-hole
> components for good soldering with much less flux application mess.
>
> I also have one of those cheap Chinese WEP hot air reflow stations. Cost me
> $60 on Amazon, and it works like a champ. I use it primarily for
> heat-shrink, though. Used with that marine-grade heat shrink that's lined
> with hot glue, it's a total wizard's tool.
>
> 73,
> Gwen, NG3P
>
> On Sun, Oct 20, 2019 at 7:01 PM Mark Goldberg <marklgoldberg at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I have a well used hot air gun (OK Industries SMT-1160) but I use my Metcal
> > iron and hot tweezers a lot more. They have an infinite selection of tips
> > for almost anything. They are expensive though, even used.
> >
> > For us old farts with unsteady hands and bad eyes, a vacuum pickup, lots of
> > tweezers and a binocular microscope are a huge help. A flux bottle with a
> > dispensing needle tip and a bottle of Isopropyl  Alcohol are musts too. I
> > have some tiny solder, solder wick and solder paste for my reflow oven. The
> > reflow oven is the bees knees if you are building a lot.
> >
> > Youth and delicate hands also helps, I have neither but I get by.
> >
> > Look at my qrz.com page for my setup and links to more info.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Mark
> > W7MLG
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Oct 20, 2019 at 12:33 PM Dauer, Edward <edauer at law.du.edu> wrote:
> >
> > > I am thinking about trying my hand at building a kit with a bunch of
> > > SMDs.  I don’t yet know the gauge.  Any suggestions about the brand or
> > type
> > > of hot air soldering gun I should buy?  Any other tools I’ll need, like
> > > narrow-gauge solder, wicks, whatever?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Ted, KN1CBR
> > >
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