Homebrew PCBs

Dave Mucha wrote:

> Another option is to google a little more.   I read a how-to on 
> taking a standard high watt iron, adding some small copper pipe and a 
> small fish pump to make your hot blow gun.
> 
> IIRC, he used steel wool to hold the copper away from the iron and 
> that acted to help pick up the heat.
> 


   I think the main goal for the wool was to transfer heat and to block most of 
the airflow so it wouldn't cool the iron too much or blow parts from the board, 
most aquarium air pumps have a pretty good output.  Have to agree that design 
looked very servicable and cheap, haven't built it myself since I use other 
means, but have an old desolderer and air pump on hand and keep the idea in mind 
if there is ever a need.  With good solder paste and technique it might do well 
for SM without the retouch step of solder and remove method, and not require 
firing up an oven for just the now and then SM part.

Alan