Jernej Simončič �Jul 12
Gus

Do I know any Australian #electronics nerds who could use a small IR reflow oven? Yours for cost of postage.

This is a Qinsi QS-5100, purchased in 2013. Used only a few times, and probably not for ten years. I just fired it up and the heating element, fan, etc. all seem to work as expected - but it could use a thorough test at minimum.

A lot was written about these ovens back in the day, particularly by Ian of Dangerous Prototypes.

If, like me, you only assemble boards in ones and twos for prototypes then TBH you probably don't need this (I use hot air and a preheater). If you do frequent small assembly runs and can be bothered dialling the temp curves in (in theory a one-time process) then it may be of interest.

Jul 12 at 1:01amWeb
Show threadSteveJul 12
@projectgus I currently use a converted toaster oven, how does it compare to that (I produce small batches around 100 boards at a time)
Show threadGusJul 12

@lilstevie I don't know, probably worth looking at the contemporary forum posts about it to see if anyone has a direct comparison. I guess it also depends on the details of the toaster oven & its conversion.

My guess would be minor differences: might heat up faster(?), you can't see the boards while they're in this style of oven without pulling out the drawer, may be a little more compact, and this has an exhaust fan for faster cool-down.

The most-discussed downside of these units was/is uneven heating across the whole tray area - it works better if you don't have boards loaded all the way to the edges. I used to think about replacing the controller and having it blip the fan occasionally during a run to try and mix the air in the drawer, but never tried anything.

Show threadSteveJul 12
@projectgus this is the current thing I’m using so I wouldn’t be opposed to something a little less hackerish 🤣
Show threadGusJul 12
@lilstevie Well, all yours if you're keen enough to pay postage!
Show threadSteveJul 12
@projectgus send me an email, lilstevie (at) lilstevie (dot) geek (dot) nz and we’ll work something out :) thanks cant imagine shipping should be too bad, if you’re profile is accurate ish im only like an hour away so lets see how extortionate auspost is 🤣
Show threadAlastair McBain Jul 12
@xssfox ⬆ ?