Ditched my hot air station for a preheater on those多层 boards

I used to think hot air was the only way to remove those big QFN packages, but after destroying a $300 control board from a Siemens PLC last Tuesday, I caved and bought a cheap preheater off Amazon for $45. The difference is night and day - the preheater warms the whole board evenly so the chip lifts off without cracking the solder mask or burning the nearby caps. Anyone else find that bottom-side heat saves more boards than a fancy nozzle setup?

3 comments

3 Comments

sean_cooper581mo ago

Bottom side heat is a game changer for sure.

the_diana1mo ago

@sSeen_cooper58 must be out here saving boards while I'm over here melting mine into modern art.

elliot_gibson271mo ago

Funny how a $45 Amazon special saves more boards than my steady hands ever could.