Homebrew PCBs

I do not own this tool, but i have made my own vacuum pick from a
ball-point pen and a syringe needle.
From that i found too that making a hole in the side will indeed not
always release the components, since some residual vacuum pressure
seems hold them.

The solution:
push a piece of balled-up paper tissue into the handle, in front of
the hole, so it restricts the flow between hole and needle. This
introduces enough resistance so the parts are released cleanly. When
the hole is covered there will still be ample flow through the
high-tec calibrated paper tissue flow limiter.

I must admit i do not remember where i put the tissue, it is just
possible i put it behind the hole on the hose side. It would limit the
flow there too and might have a similar effect. Simply try around,
small pieces of paper tissue are relatively cheap, if you bulk buy and
cut them to size yourself ;-)

ST

On 8/24/07, brainerd@... <brainerd@...> wrote:
>   I just got the Aoyue 968 about 2 weeks ago.  I don't have any experience with other units to
> compare to.  I am currently assembling my 995x board which has several several QFN
> package IC's, some ssop packages with .65 mm pin spacing, and an AD9954 with .5mm
> spacing.
>   I used the temperature controlled soldering iron for most of it.  I bought the smallest tip they
> offered.  It is small enough I can solder individual pins on the 9954 under a microscope.  It is
> the first temp. controlled iron I've used and is very nice.
>   I also ordered the vacuum pick-up attachment.  I tried it, but found that it would not release
> the part when I uncovered the hole on the side.  I had to knock the part off of the tool or turn
> off the vacuum.  This makes it pretty much useless for placing parts on the board.
>   I used the hot air and solder paste on a smd oscillator and a QFN device.  With the air set at
> 250 deg. C and the air flow just above minimum, it had no trouble melting the soldering
> paste.
>
> Dave - WB6DHW
> <http://wb6dhw.com>
>
>