Buying advice? Anything good in between Hakko FR-810B and 858D's? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TnF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 09:34:45 am
content: Hello guys. I am doing a custom pcb prototype that has many smd components of various sizes. I planned that i would probably been able to solder them by hand using my genuine Hakko FX888D but after i received these in the mail yesterday i think i'll need to get a hot air stationhttps://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-files/3484/3484_Datasheet.pdfThese rgb leds are known to be quite sensitive to soldering parameters so i don't want to buy some junk. On the other hand i can't justify 600eur + shipping for a Hakko FR-810B (i only have a laptop gpu to fix assuming re-flowing fixes it). Plus i'll need to get some accesories like a magnifying lens or a microscope to be able to work i guess.858D's are quite cheap like 50eur shipped, but are they worth it or not? Are all made the same btw? I don't want my house burnt down. I would say MAX budget is 250-300eur. I like to buy quality tools. The FX888D was only 100eur when i bought it and i know it will last me a lifetime.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 10:45:43 am
content: Just for home use? The 858Ds all vary in quality so there is no general consistency. I recommend if purchasing anything like this checking them out internally for your own safety. Don't leave any cheap Chinese tools connected to powered mains if software switched/controlled for long periods. So in other words confirm that the mains is fully isolated if leaving unattended.It's hard to say if you will struggle without knowing the circumstances but preheating is much more gentle on the components and pcb. So you could also add a cheap preheater as well to improve performance and reflow consistancy.If you look at a lot of examples on youtube people are endorsing going straight for the component and blasting as much airflow and heat they can get away with (often doing repair work and following others techniques). Instead I'd be trying to stay as close to the manufacturers reflow profile as possible.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 11:00:11 am
content: Quick 861DW works better and is cheaper than Hakko.QuoteUnlikely to be a fix, more like kicking the dead. Assuming GPU itself is really faulty. Also it's not a right tool to work on GPU, especially without preheater. If it does not work completely, and not just artifacts, my suggestion is before frying GPU, at least check power voltages on GPU and VRAM.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 11:05:32 am
content: Here is a video that you might find interesting as well, no so much for paste free reflow but more about developing technique rather than brute force.

author: TnF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 01:31:52 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on June 14, 2019, 11:00:11 amno it actually shows artifacts but works, could be the mobo but i will need to check.And yeah this hot air station looks good:) I will check the reviews after work:)Quote from: Shock on June 14, 2019, 11:05:32 amwell i didn't plan on using solder paste either way since it is not worth getting a stencil for a prototype..i am thinking of doing the louis workflow: tin the pads, place component on top, shoot it with hot air and should solder in place by itself?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 02:07:46 pm
content: Which GPU model is it?

author: TnF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 06:42:20 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on June 14, 2019, 02:07:46 pmi don't need it for the gpu but for the custom project i am making, just said i could also use it to fix my gpu..it's an amd 7970m (MXM slot)