DigicoolThings Forum

Are you using just a Heat Gun for your SMD Reflow work?

Many hobbyists use converted ovens for Reflow, but I’ve always wanted a hot-plate style Reflower.

If you have limited space, the size of an oven can be an issue. But I think there are other advantages too!

If you have any interest in SMD based electronic maker projects, then join me in this 3 part journey.

In PART 1, I review some available Preheater sizes, and I get started by opening up my newly delivered UYue 946-1010 Preheater to see what makes it tick. I then dive straight into trying out a manually controlled PCB Solder Reflow.

Then, in PART 2 of my Solder Reflow using a cheap Preheater, I proceed to a full teardown and discovery of my UYue 946-1010 Preheating Station internals.

Finally in PART 3, I rebuild my UYue 946-1010 Preheating Station, adding a proper Reflow Controller to provide an easy to use automated PCB Reflow solution.

Find out more here: Solder Reflow using a cheap Preheater

Any chance you might be interested in doing some kind of show & tell on how one might set themselves up to get into retro 8-bit hobby systems, maintenance and original builds? This seems like a good idea with this series of reflow ovens/heat guns and building of your reflow station - maybe further videos or series, something along the lines of entry level equipment and priority to acquire, and maybe the type and level of knowledge and learning to get (i.e. KiCAD/FreeCAD, Visual Studio, ASSIST09) and perhaps even a way to get to these levels via Youtube or online courses, or for that matter, any decent user groups that might serve to facilitate that, either locally or on-line?

Even if you had several lines of learning and utilities video series in between builds, such as a dedicated video on building gerbers out of KiCAD to suit JLCPCB or PCBWay, etc.? Or a video/series on the first computers you started on, and the systems that you were brought up on, especially in between building the cards and systems you're basing on them? That in itself would hold some interest, surely, especially to give a foundation on what you're doing in these builds you're working on, and why you/they built the systems the way they did, some problems or show-stoppers leading to their success/failures, and how you apply your philosophy to your version? I'd be interested in these kinds of videos - if you had the time, that is...

bugeyedcreepy wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 5:52 am Any chance ...

All good ideas. My biggest challenge is my available time, particularly considering how long it seems to take (for me, anyway), to plan, record, and edit YT videos. Hopefully, I’ll get more efficient with this over time.

At the moment, I’m also trying to resolve camera overheating issues (A dummy battery is on order!).

I did do at least one video on an early wire-wrap board, that I built in the early 80’s. I also have several of my earliest 8-bit computer builds, recovered from storage, which I need to clean-up and try to get working again. I have thought that these would make interesting videos.

As regards learning content, several years ago I was nearly tempted to make a Udemy course, given I wasn’t happy with the quality / content of existing courses. I’d even started writing the course material.

But, as usual, I'm always over enthusiastic to do more than I currently have the time or energy for.

Currently, I have a number of projects already queued-up for the video making process. I’m currently about 80% through my next video, which has been slowed by the end-of-year / Christmas preparation chores.

But certainly, I've lots of plans and notes for future content!

Editor wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:10 pm

bugeyedcreepy wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 5:52 am Any chance ...

All good ideas. My biggest challenge is my available time, particularly considering how long it seems to take (for me, anyway), to plan, record, and edit YT videos. Hopefully, I’ll get more efficient with this over time.

At the moment, I’m also trying to resolve camera overheating issues (A dummy battery is on order!).

I did do at least one video on an early wire-wrap board, that I built in the early 80’s. I also have several of my earliest 8-bit computer builds, recovered from storage, which I need to clean-up and try to get working again. I have thought that these would make interesting videos.

As regards learning content, several years ago I was nearly tempted to make a Udemy course, given I wasn’t happy with the quality / content of existing courses. I’d even started writing the course material.

But, as usual, I'm always over enthusiastic to do more than I currently have the time or energy for.

Currently, I have a number of projects already queued-up for the video making process. I’m currently about 80% through my next video, which has been slowed by the end-of-year / Christmas preparation chores.

But certainly, I've lots of plans and notes for future content!

Awesome! Standing by to stand by...