Hot Air Station suggestions?

I was looking for the same sort of solution. I ended up going with this from Tenma because it was under $150. The only down side I have with it the cabe to the iron, it's a bit stiff and so has a different feel than what yo get from a Weller. Other than that I have been happy with it

Kas

I have the Weller WXR 3000 workstation that includes  Hot Air rework and it is awesome, but as you say, it is very expensive WXR3003 - WELLER - Rework Station, Multifunctional, 450 °C, 120 V | Newark element14  , you can get the various parts separately and that will be way less money, for instance, just the Hot Air.

I produced a few videos on it (Sorry but mine was sponsored to me by Weller themselves along with RS-Components, so RS Logos are in the video) but you can also get this from Element 14 using the link above.

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RE: Tenma 21-10115 soldering station RE: Hot Air Station suggestions?

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What I think is important to look out for is the following

The FAN for the hot air is in the base, not the pencil, this makes it easier to wield and typically gives better range of Air flow. It is all too easy to simply blow away the part you're trying to re-work if the flow is too high. To go with this you also need a good range of temperature, especially if you also consider Lead Free Solder and big pads that double as heat dissipators.I have also a cheap EBAY Atten/SEIK  that works but is very temperamental with the Fan and will change speed as I rotate the hot air pencil. Now that i have tried the Weller, I see why paying more for good quality German Engineering is worth it.

As a separate note. I have been using the same Weller Iron for close to 40 years and it is still going strong, paid more for it of course but never needed to buy another for all this time. Lets hope the new one will last as long.

I know your plight. Which one you buy depends on how much you want to use it and what you want to do with it. The Tenma units are OK and I own one, but my biggest problem with it is it doesn't have an auto shutoff feature when you cradle the handle. If you are forgetful, make sure you get one that has the auto shutoff feature. I also have a Tenma soldering iron for my home and it has its quirks as well, like the tip coming loose after every thermal cycle. Basically I have to retighten the tip every time I use it.

I don't know about every brand, but the previous guy I worked for bought me a X-tronic all-in-one station. This was the biggest piece of junk I ever used. The power switch melted the first time I used it - and I mean really melted to the point where the switch failed.

Let's make a distinction - there is a difference between a hot air station and a hot air pencil. The station can deliver lots of heat and air and can ideally be dialed down to smaller flow and heat. The pencil is designed to target specific areas. If you are simply moving a few surface mount components or cleaning up the board a pencil is good. Pencils sometimes require another preheater to deliver enough heat for parts with large metal slugs on their underside. Pencils are good for reflowing boards with components that could melt. Hot Air Stations are harder to configure for reflowing boards with parts that could melt.

I currently use HCT2-120 - METCAL - DIGITAL HOT AIR PENCIL, 100-450 DEG | Newark element14 ($500) and it works fantastic unless I need ore heat than a pencil can deliver.

The Tenma is probably good, but if you already have an iron don't buy the combo unit. I think I own this one - 21-10125 - TENMA - HOT AIR REWORK STATION, 280W, 100V | Newark element14

Hi Al,

I have the same unit 21-10125 - TENMA - HOT AIR REWORK STATION, 280W, 100V | Newark element14  that michaelwylie  has. When I got it I modified it to include a shut off in the cradle. I was pretty disappointed in the quality of the circuit board. I have seen six year old kids who can solder better than this. On the other hand, once it was modified to suit me it has gone on to work without problems for a couple years now. I do not know if this speaks to the quality of Tenma but if solder jobs like this bother you then perhaps paying a little more for quality is a good idea.

John

Thanks for the great responses everyone, my internet is pretty flakey tonight so bear with me.

I have too many wants for the money I make.

I saw some replacement heater elements on e-bay, has anyone had much luck with a DIY hot air station?

With the price of components off e-bay and some of the new power IGFETS from Mouser, this should be a walk in the park, or am I missing something?

How critical is the temperature regulation? On a standard iron it's better to be too hot than too cold, are we looking at the same principle here or does the temp need to be pretty close?

I can just get away with a 900F (type J?) thermocouple yes?

Al

Hi John,

I ordered the same unit 21-10125 - TENMA - HOT AIR REWORK STATION, 280W, 100V | Newark element14

I probably wouldn't have if I saw your post first.  Anyway I noticed the description as "100V" after I ordered it.  Is that a typo

or does this thing require Japan standard 100VAC or does it come with a standard 120V standard USA plug? I've seen

models with the same part number specified for 220V and when I look on the TENMA website for the manual it throws

an error.  What manufacturer would have the exact same part number for devices that have different power requirements?

Regards,

Jim

Although out of your price range.

For hot air I use a JBC Air Tool. It has thermal profiling output and does a fabulous job.

For IR I use a PDR ChipTool. It does a fabulous job for small BGAs.

As Scotty Montgomery says - "Use the right tool for the right job!"

When using cheaper tools you'll find that the temperature regulation is absent and risk burning things and causing unwanted collateral damage.

I have the same unit as kas.lewis referred to Tenma  21-1013021-10130

it has the cutoff feature when you place the handpiece down, and the picture doesn't show it, but includes a temperature controlled soldering iron.

I've stopped using my Wellers and use this as the main soldering iron now.

I haven't had any issues.

The other item to add to your wish list is a preheater.

http://www.newark.com/tenma/21-19640/quartz-preheater/dp/47Y6405

It acts to bring the board up to temperature before adding the rework gun to melt the solder.

Mark

I followed your link to the preheater and noticed that Tenma had a sticker that gave a voltage range of 100-130V on the back.

I'm hoping this explains the "100VAC" specified on Newark's website for the hot air station I ordered ...

21-10125 - TENMA - HOT AIR REWORK STATION, 280W, 100V | Newark element14

100VAC is the Japanese standard, so I thought I might have inadvertently ordered a station suitable for Japan or require

a step down.  I wish the "specification section" actually showed the specifications .  Sigh ...

I wish the "specification section" actually showed the specifications .  Sigh ...

Agreed. They suck.

For what it's worth the Tenma site is just as bad, and the links to the manuals are broken ....

Mine came from England and is 220v, so I didn't have the same issues.

Mark