![[CyberMegaDesk Sketch - Equipment.png]] #### Basics **Soldering Iron:** TS-100 is good for most things already it seems **Hot Air**: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1869 **Microscope**: https://a.co/d/1ObPsqp **Desoldering**: https://a.co/d/8Rp0Pev ##### Review of ZD-915 ``` Ive had the anesty zd-915 for a year now and its been a workhorse.Ive replaced hundreds of capacitors on dozens of boards in that time.Full recaps of several consoles and many crt monitors.Ive had one blockage and it was my fault.I dont understand the negative reviews.Ive worked on mostly leaded older soldered boards which flow better than new leadless solder. If your working on newer boards then look into low temp easy flowing solder and flow that onto the solder joints your going to remove.Also, add a dab of flux before desoldering. Keep your nozzle tinned and clean, dont use exsessive heat, and dont leave the unit on for extended amounts of time if your not using it.Ive had no issues at all doing the above.Like anything, there is a bit of maintenance,prep, and a learning curve..... Take the time to learn these and this tool will serve you well! ``` #### PCB Preheater A **PCB preheater** is used in electronics assembly and rework to uniformly warm up a PCB before soldering or desoldering. The preheating process improves soldering quality and minimizes thermal stress on components and boards, particularly for PCBs with large ground planes, multilayer construction, or components sensitive to rapid temperature changes. https://www.antalife.com/2018/10/project-hot-plate-mod.html ``` ```I decided to go with the ZB2020JR as it: 1. Uses a ceramic heating element 2. Has a pretty good power per area. Others heaters offered a higher wattage but I had a feeling their numbers were skewed 3. Has a proper PID controller (ZB102-6411) 4. Has enough room for upgrades ;^) ``` Unfortunately can't find the one he got so instead i get the nameless amazon one ![[Pasted image 20241211075934.png]] Seems to be the 946C. $60. #### 4-in-1 Option https://www.amazon.com/YIHUA-Soldering-Desoldering-Suction-Station/dp/B07RNL7YT9?ref_=ast_sto_dp Really seems like it might be the best option here. Product Dimensions 11"D x 7.3"W x 5.3"H 11"x7" is about the same as my helping hand platform. ![[Pasted image 20241211082104.png]] #### SMT Component Feeders https://youtu.be/ZLHwxQyl5rA - Psychogenic Technologies https://youtu.be/Gm1oQjoRitc - Stephen Hawes https://youtu.be/75hHtclelN4 - Psychogenic https://github.com/colinoflynn/MeatBagPnP https://savageelectronics.com/smd-components-dispenser/ - cassette based https://www.printables.com/model/525822-smd-component-dispenser https://hackaday.com/2016/02/11/clearly-the-best-way-to-organize-smd-parts/ hackaday methodology for SMDs designs for a storage rack as well as a PnP Vacuum Tool ![[2f0f3ae762344c85a3379e59d0a931d4.jpg]] #### PCB Stencils for Solder application How to order and use a solder paste stencil https://youtu.be/uXvXwzQf1gU need a squeegee too I imagine https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/comments/ivrx72/details_about_stencils_and_solder_paste/ `You can get stencils of different thicknesses, I find 0.15mm works well for things like 0805 and 0603 but can be a little excessive for 0.5mm pitch pads. 0.1mm is probably a better choice for fine pitch. You can also change the paste specs on your pcb design and get a new stencil done. Then there is methods like changing the temperature, dabbing a little extra flux on the problem area, using a different solder etc` `I've also found the exact same, I switched to a Henkel T4 paste on 100µm stencils, used a little lighter pressure and have had excellent results at .5mm pitch, the only bridges I've had are bad placement and bad pad design.` #### Dispensing Solder Paste https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/manual-solder-paste-dispenser-recommendations/ Good thread with creative solutions Dentist Composite Dispensing Gun Tech Syringes Hot glue guns etc. ![[4ff9a5514b.jpg]] ![[t3ikHab.jpg]] shouldn't be too hard to figure out. I have syringes laying around. https://eleshop.eu/jbc-dpm-b-manual-paste-dispenser.html - JBC DPM-B manual paste dispenser ![[dpm-b.jpg]] #### Reflow Oven Sparkfun Analysis of all the different ways you could do a reflow oven And the many ways of soldering SMD parts https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/59 Lots of good info and good info in the comments as well There is also the Controleo3 Reflow Oven Build Kit for ~$350 https://whizoo.com/collections/controleo3 $1200 to get a prebuilt. Pretty interesting tbh. Lots of people on reddit cosigning it. https://www.reddit.com/r/PrintedCircuitBoard/comments/syqvr7/what_is_the_current_best_reflow_oven_for_under_1k/ #### Stuff I can't afford https://hakkousa.com/fr-872-ir-pcboard-preheater.html https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Desoldering-Tool/dp/B07BKSLLG9#customerReviews #### Stuff I can make ##### Resistor Bender https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1022337 https://www.printables.com/model/601121-resistor-lead-forming-tool https://www.printables.com/model/275510-resistor-lead-forming-tool-component-bender-plieur