Thoughts on this 3-in-1 IR rework station? *Now with unboxing!!!* - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2010, 01:07:40 pm
content: I was looking around tools for hot air rework since I'll be doing some SMTs in the future and came across these. For the price they look almost too good to be true, yet the same vendor's been posting vids of them in action on youtube for years now given by the dates.These can be found for about 340'ish AUD around on ebay. So if you bought a Rigol this is definitely in your affordability range.The basic model that does 18x18 mm BGAhttp://www.puhuit.com/main/page_products_t862_bga_station.html

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2010, 10:07:08 pm
content: I've used a much more expensive PDR station in my last jobhttp://www.pdr-rework.com/xt5a.htmlOK, but the PDR stations are overkill unless you are removing parts from PC motherboards (or anything with large heat absorbing ground planes). The one you mention may be Ok for small mobile phones or similar size devices. However you have to make sure the optics are of good quality so the IR can be focussed properly.Might be worth a try. If you buy one let us know what they're like.David.

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2010, 02:39:09 am
content: Well, I ordered the version one step up that also has a hot air station built in on Thursday (my birthday! Self present FTW)It was supposed to get here today but I got a notification from DHL that the DGC guys got my address wrong...-I clearly told DGC I live in RM2 68 XXX Street-Service girl at DHL told me DGC wrote RM268 XXX St on the slip...So I won't receive it till tomorrow.

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 03:23:25 am
content: Here it is! The unboxing!!!Pretty tight tapingThree stacks of polystyrenePaint job on the soldering iron is a bit chippedThey probably ship enough volume to the US that they only stock US plugs, when selling to AUS they just throw in a converterFully assembled+++?Ceramic preheaterPCB mounting frameQuick test with the IRSo, what do you get for 450USD?11 assorted tips (a sharp one comes with the iron)spare IR bulbspare heating element for the iron and hot air7 hot air nozzlesOne bigger aperture IR filter about 30% larger than defaultT-800 vision!How the hot air heating element protection works, there's a magnet in the seat, when the blower is placed the mag switch cuts power to the heating element, the station base keeps the fan on till it drops to 100CThey missed a space there, hence why I got that package one day late. Strangely enough the big label on the box had the right address.Concerning the IR OPTICS... THERE AREN"T ANY!!! And there are no clamps on the bulb itself, it just sits loosely in the tube end.All there is is an IR filter, coverage is controlled by how much you lower the thing! And the IR height adjustment thing is a bit funny in that if you lower it too much it kind of loose grip with the rail and you can't spin it back up without a helping push until it locks again.A quick test with a QFP100 BoB I had had it melting the surface at 300C setting with just the lamp within 10 seconds, for just 450USD for an all in one, I'm not complaining.

author: img
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2011, 03:02:07 pm
content: It's been a few months, and the welder is now not new and shiny anymore. I wonder how it's doing. Going strong? Any complaints?

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2012, 04:04:33 pm
content: This is a quote from another threadQuote from: Dave.S on May 15, 2012, 08:49:22 am

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2012, 04:30:31 pm
content: They are certainly good value for money, especially with all the parts that came with it. I was in uni when I started this thread and I brought it to the lab so we don't have to compete with others for the SMD workshop which was booked full as everyone rushed to finish their senior projects, the guys had nothing but praises for it.Funny thing with the preheater, it gets so hot that I can do skillet style reflow with it.IMO this is a great kit for any hobbyist with a small bench since everything is integrated in one package, perhaps with some modding potential too. I'm thinking about making a custom controller board that will have feedback for the IR with a thermocouple. Perhaps even a fume extractor built in, there's space available under the preheater for that, especially if I can replace the current board with an even smaller one.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2012, 08:32:38 pm
content: I see the base unit is running around 300 usd (does not have hot air).I do think it's a good unit. The modifications you noted would be very nice, and not complicated to pull off. Even so, it does do it's job. Mine was used in a working shop for a year, so probably more than a hobby machine in my eyes.External temp probes would be great....mike