Has anyone purchased or gotten an opportunity to check one of these out? If so, what did you think? I've had it saved in my wish list for some time now. I've seen videos on YouTube of people using them to easily remove SMD parts from PCBs, as well as to reflow small PCB projects. Seems to work well. I am also wondering about longevity.
MHP50 Mini Hot Plate Preheater (https://a.co/d/i4rtOFy)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61imemtH83L._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
I have thought of different preheater options myself. I've seen stuff like electric skillets used, I imagine one could make one with a hot bed from a 3D printer.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on Aug 15, 2024, 05:19 PMI imagine one could make one with a hot bed from a 3D printer.
I'm not sure the 3D Printer Hot bed would get hot enough to melt solder. My understanding is they get up around 200°C, but leaded solder would need closer to 370°C. But it's an interesting thought and may have other applications.
While this device is a preheater and typically used to heat a board prior to desoldering / reworking, clearly they show in the video that you can use it to directly reflow or remove components from a single-sided SMD PCB. Just not sure how often I would do either. Many of the SMD boards I work with are double-sided (have components on both sides).
True but was just a thought. Though an electric skillet, maybe with DIY controls be good. Very min a good temp device attached on it.
Quote from: Chris Savage on Aug 16, 2024, 08:05 AMQuote from: JKnightandKARR on Aug 15, 2024, 05:19 PMI imagine one could make one with a hot bed from a 3D printer.
I'm not sure the 3D Printer Hot bed would get hot enough to melt solder. My understanding is they get up around 200°C, but leaded solder would need closer to 370°C. But it's an interesting thought and may have other applications.
While this device is a preheater and typically used to heat a board prior to desoldering / reworking, clearly they show in the video that you can use it to directly reflow or remove components from a single-sided SMD PCB. Just not sure how often I would do either. Many of the SMD boards I work with are double-sided (have components on both sides).
I remember seeing one made from a PCB (it actually had a thick trace which ran in a spiral around the board.) The thing worked well enough to do SMT soldering (and of course desoldering, too,) but you were supposed to change out the PCB heater after several uses - the heat destroyed the board after a while. The power unit and temperature control were still good, all you needed to do was disconnect the heater PCB, and plug in another. Still, considering how cheap PCBs are now-a-days, it might work for hobbyist use.
This was quite a while ago, if anyone is unable to find it, I can try out my google-fu and see if I can find it again.
Probly a few diff ways todo diy ones