Hot take: I think hot air rework stations are overrated for most jobs

Tried doing a simple QFN chip removal with my 858D last week. Took forever. Wasted 15 minutes just heating the board. Switched to my $30 soldering iron and some Chip Quik low melt solder. Chip came off in under 2 minutes. No board damage either. Why does everyone push hot air as the only way for SMD work?

2 comments

2 Comments

schmidt.eva18d ago

Hot air has its place but the 858D is a budget unit, takes forever to get the board up to temp. A better station would've done that QFN in like 3-4 minutes, not 15.

keithbennett17d ago

Ugh, that's brutal. Really feel for you on that one.