1 Apr
2017
1 Apr
'17
9:27 p.m.
On 04/01/2017 07:41 PM, John Wilson via cctalk wrote:
- I do QFPs (0.5mm and 0.4mm) using a cheap eBay
binocular
microscope, Ameritronics solder paste, and a toaster oven controlled
by an Arduino with a homemade shield on it (with a MAX6675 for a
K-type Sparkfun thermocouple which I position touching the PCB
somewhere, START and RESET buttons, a header for LCD status display,
and terminals for an SSR which turns the toaster oven on/off). It's
*fantastic*. Push the START button and everything's done when you
come back (it follows the usual temp profile automatically). I often
have to do some soder-wicking afterward (maybe I should be using
thinner stencils, and I always overdo it when I use a syringe
directly), but the chip stays aligned as the paste melts and the
success rate has been excellent. And solder bridges are
self-fixing.
That's interesting, John. I've heard about the toaster oven thing for
several years now, but never tried it.
What do you do about boards with SMT components on *both* sides? I
can't see how it would work with a toaster oven.
--Chuck