Larger (than 50x50mm) reflow hotplates? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Svgeesus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2025, 03:44:45 pm
content: What is out there for 100 x 100mm or larger reflow hotplates, without breaking the bank or rolling my own with hardware-shop hotplates and aftermarket/DIY controllers? Ideally something I can just buy, to avoid the yak-shaving recursion of projects that need projects that need projects to be built first.I do have an MHP50, and it works fine for smaller boards, but even then the outer 10mm don't heat to the same temperature as the center. I do like the one-button reflow profile, rather than sitting there with an IR thermal probe and a stopwatch to tweak the temperature manually.I don't have the space for a toaster-oven style enclosed unit, so smaller size is preferable.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2025, 09:20:57 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/recommendations-for-prototyping-reflow-oven/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/reflow-oven-for-small-production/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/recommendation-for-smd-hot-plate/- without profilehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/has-anyone-tried-any-of-these-china-pcb-preheaters/- without profilehttps://www.atten.com/product/st-7800- PC required for profiles I thinkThe T-962 style ovens are not very big, 30x30x17cm.You haven't mentioned any budget.

author: Svgeesus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2025, 11:24:20 am
content: Thanks for the links! I am looking for something for individual hobbyist use, not for batches or for even small-scale production. I also don't have a machine shop nor the skills to use one, so upgrading a death trap is an unattractive proposition.The Atten ST-7500 looks maybe interesting in terms of size and price, but it claims to be a preheater only.https://eleshop.eu/atten-st-7500-preheater.htmlI'm surprised there is so little available at this sort of size and $500-ish price point.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2025, 09:06:23 pm
content: Quote from: Svgeesus on September 19, 2025, 11:24:20 amWhether its called a preheater or not doesn't matter if it reaches the temperature you want.I use the gordak/yihua 853 for board reflow, but I usually have to set the temperature twice, which you don't want.There are some cheap controllers that could do it for youhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003659363220.htmlQuote from: Svgeesus on September 19, 2025, 11:24:20 amPrior to the MHP50, there weren't really any options with profiles, everything was DIY, and if you wanted something premade you'd get a small oven like the T962, as that allows double sided load, more consistent results, and easier venting.Its definitely doable for $500, but I don't know if the market exists. Maybe something will come out in the next few years.

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 03:52:07 am
content: I waste money on lots of stuff, but so far I haven't bought any good hotair stations, or hotplates and ovens.I have a toaster oven that I've used for pre-heating. I need to make some controller circuits for it.I also have a little coffee-maker with a hotplate, but it has a raised rim. But one of these days, I'll have to try it on something and make a controller circuit.Same for a 500W halogen lamp I have, I've seen people reflow stuff and remove huge IC's with them, so with some real temperature regulation, that could be useful too.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 07:50:16 am
content: In addition to mentioned 7500 that is IR, there is also this:https://eleshop.eu/soldering/preheaters/atten-st-7800-hotplate.htmlThis is aluminium hotplate. They share software.Judging by the manual, it actually have "sort of profile", where you have cycle that you start and it has 2 temperature points and dwell time. It is not really clear how it works exactly Also they support external thermocouple.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 07:57:34 am
content: Make sure you consider the height if you want to use the microscope with a PCB on the hotplate.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 08:53:34 am
content: Quote from: Psi on October 01, 2025, 07:57:34 amThis is exactly why these 2 Attens caught my attention. They are 73mm high.

author: Svgeesus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 03:57:55 pm
content: On the Atten website, the previous ST-7800 link is 404https://www.atten.com/product/st-7800and there is a new ST-7700 which only goes to 250°C, as opposed to 350°C for the ST-7800https://www.atten.com/products/cid-81.htmlhttps://www.atten.com/products-detail/id-53.html

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 04:00:24 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on October 01, 2025, 07:57:34 amThat's sounds like a guide on how to get second degree burns.Do you often use your hotplate like that?

author: Svgeesus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 05:06:36 pm
content: Personally I use a microscope for hand soldering (through hole or SMD), and for placing SMD components for reflow, and for inspection. Not to watch the solder meltalthough I know some people use tweezers for any repositioning or un-tombstoning during reflow.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2025, 03:23:02 am
content: Quote from: tszaboo on October 03, 2025, 04:00:24 pmmy 300x300mm hotplate not so much, but my 50x50mm quite often.You don't need to have the bed that hot to really help with reflow/repair. 60C for example really helps.But i've worked on boards at 125C on the hot plate without burning myself before, its not that hard to avoid the hot area

author: BennoG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2025, 02:13:36 pm
content: I have this one it will go up to 350Chttps://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005377738031.htmlBut I have to admit that 99% of the time I use the 50x50 mm hotplate.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2025, 10:22:57 pm
content: I wonder if there's a market for a thin PCB mat for under microscope which has an XY array of load resistors embedded in it, along with XY array of pressure sensors.You press a button and then push your PCB into the matt so it can sense the location of the PCB and then it preheats only that area under the PCB.Probably a bit of a gimmick, but seems kinda cool for working on PCBs under microscope on a large matt without burning yourself.Probably best for just preheating i don't think you'd ever make the concept work for reflow.Stabbing the mat with stuff and breaking the connections would be an issue.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2025, 10:51:28 pm
content: There's also this style of somewhat dubious mains voltage PTC plateshttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005583116330.html