Homebrew PCBs

I have done several boards using solder paste and a cheap, non
convection  toaster oven. My most recent was a LQFP176. I have not
lost a chip yet to excessive heat or popcorning. I sometimes have to
wick solder bridges, but that is easy.
You still should have a good soldering iron, but using smd's and a
toaster oven makes things much easier in my opinion. 


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <alienrelics@y...>
wrote:
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Stefan Trethan
> <stefan_trethan@g...> wrote:
> > On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 02:55:46 -0000, Moore <pminmo@c...> wrote:
> > 
> > > Want to hand solder 44pin qfp's.  Need a new soldering iron that
> > > won't break the bank. (less than $50).  Suggestions?
> 
> > Why not apply paste and bake it in the oven? much quicker...
> > 
> 
> Have you done this yet? I've followed the EZ Bake list and it's not
so
> simple. To get repeatable results, you need a time and temp
controlled
> oven that can heat up and cool down quickly (which means convection)
> and programmed soak and bake cycles. The goal is to keep the board
at
> solder melting temp as short as possible to avoid destroying
> components, while still getting 100% good soldered joints.
> 
> Steve