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