Showerthought: I was wrong about using a $15 heat gun for SMD rework.

I bought a cheap one thinking it would be fine for small jobs, but after it overheated and nearly cooked a board last Tuesday, I'm saving up for a proper station with temp control. Anyone have a good budget station they'd recommend under $200?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_joseph18d ago

Yeah, I hear you. I had a similar scare with a cheap heat gun myself, it just wouldn't hold a steady temp and I nearly lifted a pad on an older board, so I feel your pain @iris441.

iris4412mo ago

Yikes, my buddy tried that and melted a whole row of resistors (it was a real mess).

fionarodriguez2mo ago

That sounds like a serious power issue, @iris441. What kind of circuit was your buddy even building to get that result? Melting a whole row isn't just a simple mistake.