SMT soldering station

[Konrad]

I’m looking to join the 21st century! While I have a good soldering desoldering station I have to admit it is dated. That is I’ve had it since the 80’s. This is fine for power application. But, today in the 20’s there is little that is still made with through board technology. This is forcing me to upgrade if I want to be able to work with todays Surface Mount Technology.

So little electrical stuff can be serviced I don’t see the need for a multi hundred dollar set up. (I won’t be working on life critical components). I’d like to ask what you guys are using as a soldering station for servicing SMT. I see SMT heat guns as low as $50. I’m not averse to spending a lot more, if it will help ensure that I won’t damage the SMT board. I’ve learned with tooling that being penny wise is often dollar foolish!

Also I’m new to the lead free soldering pasts. What formulations now work (low heat and high flow)?

Man the tool using animal.
Konrad

 

[Wayne]

Konrad,

Next time you are in the office chat with Sean about the unit he bought for the office. He is out this week to support his wife, but should be back Monday. Sadly he does not get onto the forum much. It works well and the price was very reasonable.

 

[Konrad]

"support his wife", I hope all is well. I may be up north this Friday. So this is a warning that I may be darkening your door to take a look. I'll also be looking for the brass ballast Chris said he found for the Redshift.

 

[Wayne]

Yeah, he found it sitting in my office after I brought it in for you. Sadly you have actually stopped by when it was here, but I forgot to give it to you until later that day.. D'oh!

 

[Konrad]

Not a problem, I'm still reconfiguring the V-tail. So it will be awhile until I "need" the ballast.

 

[Dennis]

Can you share what SMT station you have with the rest of us?

 

[Konrad]

I'll take photos, if that isn't considered industrial espionage.

 

[HENNY]

Can you share what SMT station you have with the rest of us?

Ebay has plenty under SMD solder station.

 

[Konrad]

Yes, but which are the good ones? And what features are needed verses nice to have?

I find that asking guys that actually use the product, is much better than most of the Flea Bay and Amazon (paid) reviews.

 

[Dennis]

Yes, but which are the good ones? And what features are needed verses nice to have?

I find that asking guys that actually use the product, is much better than most of the Flea Bay and Amazon (paid) reviews

I agree that's why i am asking would appreciate the picture's
Dennis

 

[Wayne]

We have a cheap-o Ebay/amazon special from a company called Zenny. Not sure what model. It has yet to let us down. I want to say it cost under $100, but it has been a while and my memory sucks... At the time we got it I didn't see a need for it, now I am happy to have it. I had never done any SMD work myself, so glad we had Sean on staff that had done SMD work in the past. We will be using a fair bit if we are going to be swapping the ISRM on the X10 radios.

I will add that I am so impressed with how good even very cheap soldering gear is these days. So much better than the Radio Shack stuff or high end brands from a matter of years ago. Constantly amazed at how easy it is to solder with these new style gear. I have tossed most of my old soldering irons and replaced them with $15 or less units. LOL I will never use another soldering gun in my life!!

 

[HENNY]

Soldering GUN yuck. That was used in the 70,s You must be a similar age to me?

 

[Konrad]

Soldering Guns never were designed to be used to solder anything. Well, nothing electrical or with a large mass. The thermal mass, or lack there of, of the wire tip did not allow for any (proper)heat transfer to the two components needing to be soldered. They were intended to be an artists tool used to blend "solder" the lead edging in stain glass windows.

Even in the 70's I had no problem with the soldering irons of the day. Well, only that it took a long time for them to heat up. Today with the ceramic heating elements the chance of a cold solder joint is greatly lessened as we don't have to wait near as long for things to get to temperature.

With the ceramic heating elements it is now practical to have battery powered soldering irons in our flight kits.

Portable Soldering Iron

This is a 30 watt battery powered soldering iron that runs on a 3 or 4s lipo. 3s is recommended for long sessions, while 4s works better on chilly days and is fine for quick repairs.Run time with this iron varies, with capacity and the age of your battery

alofthobbies.com

The Solder Gun is a good example of buying the wrong tool for the wrong job. This is what I want to avoid in the purchase of an SMT station.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Dennis]

if you look on Amazon there are a huge selection of soldering stations ranging in all different prices one thing about amazon is if you don't like it send it back.

Dennis

 

[Konrad]

I find that puts an undue burden on Amazon's supplier, for my lack of research. Also shipping crap allover the place isn't my idea of being environmentally conscience.

Yes, I hate Amazon for more than this "Drone" issue.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[HENNY]

Konrad, be happy and smile.

 

[Konrad]

What? Why, I just stabbed myself with a #11 blade?

What we have here with Amazon is a classic case of a rush to the bottom in the pursuit of corporate profits. The same goes for public’s search for the lowest price while not taking into account the true cost. In the case of Amazon we have lost the public use of our national airspace all for the benefit of the corporations. Yes, I’m a bit of a hypocrite in that I have a lot of my financial portfolio in the stock & bond market. But I refuse to patronize Amazon.

 

[Retired]

Guessing that the age group and “eyes” reading and discussing smd work stations, I’ll add one more important tool! SMD Soldering stations are about the same except for quality and price as discussed and you can pretty much find one to fit your needs and budget. This tool however is something I use weekly for all my hobbies and non hobby repairs.

 

[Konrad]

There are times I'm so happy I'm very near sighted. Flying toy airplanes isn't one of those times!

I wonder if my eye sight it what drives my enjoyment of this hobby. I prefer the building and engineering challenges to those of the art of flying. I often take to view that flying is just to prove the hypothesis. Ok, this is just an excuse for not being able to perform a rolling circle!

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to look at what Aloft Hobbies uses as their SMT station. Last Friday they were real short on manpower so I just did some combat shopping (in and out).

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Dennis]

I pulled the trigger and purchased a soldering station it's the Xtronics #3220-XTS it works great the XTS comes with extra tips it's adjustable heat range on a digital screen ceramic heater heats fast and all the parts are replaceable hope this help's in making a choice.

Dennis