SMD Bench Repair Capability

[WD4MTW]

Those of you that do board level repair, how invested are you in equipment and do you have a limit to the rework level that you're willing to do?

 

[KE3WD]

At the repair level, get to know and use Chipquick for removal, a good iron with a needle tip and a headband magnifier.  That's what I use on the pro test bench and there really isn't a problem. 


73

[K9MHZ]

Ditto what KE3WD wrote.  If however, you do get interested in board building and heavier experimentation, the hot air systems today are all pretty nice....even the Chinese/Taiwanese clones of Hakko.  Probably better to drop coin relative to your interest and amount of anticipated usage.....watch eBay for deals.  A genuine Hakko still rules, IMHO.  But again, for simple and infrequent repairs.... follow KE3WD's advice.

Good luck,

Brad, K9MHZ

[KE7KPB]

My shop or hobby room is set up for the repair of tube equipment. How hard would it be to move into a little SMD repair and what kind of test equipment would you recommend for occasional work?
Robert.

[N4ATS]

I use a Metcal SMT station in my shop

www.N4ATS.com

[LA9XNA]

The basic thing for SMT is.
- fine tip solere iron. I use this one with the finest tip. http://www.ersa.com/art-0760cd-358-1799.html
- lense lamp. I use something like this one without  the floor stand. http://www.amazon.com/Daylight-Bulb-Magnifying-Lens-Floor/dp/B001IBDCTG
- reverse tweesers like these. http://www.tedpella.com/twzr-sc_html/twzr-sc.htm
- solder 0,3mm.

The most important is to have a steady hand while putting the components on the board.
My methode is to put soder on one solder pad and solder down one pin of the component when it is alligned, then i solder down the rest of the legs.