Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

[tucocaps]

Hello,

I've had one of these weller soldering "stations" for years. This is just a iron holder with an pot to adjust the temp, and an extra power switch.

I've also gone through a few replacement irons. The latest one I have is a 40 watt (claim to go to 900 deg). Based on poor experience trying to melt solder on factory boards, I'm thinking these irons just aren't good enough for this work. Thanks for any advice on this.

[stj]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

how many wires does it use?

[tucocaps]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

Pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by "wires"?
This is the setup I have. Only thing different is the iron, but I think the weller irons i've been using are the same as the one included , which burned out years ago. It's you know, cheap

http://www.zoro.com/i/G0538632/?utm_...FWRp7AodyhsAcg

[tucocaps]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

I'm also trying to figure out the lowest cost route to replace this for what is VERY low volume work right now.

It looks like it's either "hot tweezers", a solder vacuum iron, or a hot air rework station. All of these vary in cost, but I wish I knew which one was likely to give me the most value. With the low volume, speed isn't a real concern ... but I need something I can use with limited soldering skill that won't easily damage components.

[stj]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

that iron you linked is just a 40w mains iron, the base drops the power with a lamp dimmer!

what type of stuff do you need to work on?

[tucocaps]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

Mostly TV boards. TV related stuff.

[stj]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

well you need a temperature controlled iron, $40-80 starting,

and a hot air system.
this is very good, and very cheap because it does not need a base.
http://www.dx.com/p/gongjue-8018lcd-...rk-blue-277080

so what's your budget?

[ratdude747]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

You only need hot air if you're doing a lot of smd work. But I agree the 40W is a bit skimpy... 60W would be an improvement.

[Sparkey55]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

You only need hot air if you're doing a lot of smd work. But I agree the 40W is a bit skimpy... 60W would be an improvement.

I use an old Weller SP-40 pencil iron to work on motherboards all the time. Just wrap some #10 ga. copper wire around the shank with about one quarter inch sticking out. 40 watts works fine for me.

[stj]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

40w isnt bad, but his isnt exactly 40w because it's not pulsed like ours, he has a dimmer on it that drops the voltage.
i know, i got conned with one in the past.

now to correct RD's first bit, if your working on other people's stuff, you use the right tools - saying "oops" and trying to repair the board isnt an option.

if it's just your own stuff then if you want to pull a 44pin chip with lowtemp solder like chip-quik spread all over it or lift a fet by cooking the tab - that's your risk.

[nojgib]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

......now to correct RD's first bit, if your working on other people's stuff, you use the right tools - saying "oops" and trying to repair the board isnt an option.

if it's just your own stuff then if you want to pull a 44pin chip with lowtemp solder like chip-quik spread all over it or lift a fet by cooking the tab - that's your risk.

I would say this is spot on.
When your are working on anything (especially for others) you need to have the correct equipment, and also know how to use it. Damage to components isn't necessarily going to come from the equipment itself, but instead from the lack of experience of the user. The more experience you gain the better you will be and the less damage that will occur.

As for equipment, each piece has it's own purpose. I have multiple irons at different wattages and different tips for each. I also have hot air, and I have an IR rework machine. Each one is used for a different task. I am into a lot more than you are so you wouldn't need all that. I'm just using it to make the point that when working with this stuff you need more than one piece of equipment.

Get the best you can on your budget. Good tools will save a lot of frustration down the road.

[dellxps15]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

for tv and those staff i'll reccomend atten 8586, plus a set of good tips.

i have that and for tv and normal soldering is ok. for rework and bga im getting a i-solder 40 with hakko tip.

sometimes for a good work, better spent some money and get good product.

[stj]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

i was going to recomend Hako FX-888D
http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html

but i was waiting to hear his budget first.

[Jooo]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

If you want a cheap desoldering station, I can recommend the Solder Peak SP-1010DR desoldering station. It is a cheap Chinese station and is available from several different brands.
I have used it for about 2 years and it has been excellent. Works well, plenty of power and only needed to replace the tip 2 times and filter 2 times. I use it about 2-3 times a week.

[tucocaps]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

thanks for the replies, guys. I really don't have a set budget other than "cheapest" I don't do any electronic work for customers at this time. The most that would likely ever come of that anytime soon would be a "fixed" TV being sold, or possibly a fixed board. In any other case, I'm just learning and messing around with my own stuff.

I'm just wondering now if I should go with a cheap chinese rework station (there are so many out there on ebay) ... or something like STJ recommended. I also use my iron for misc stuff other than TV, so I think I need to be putting money towards a better iron first.

[stj]

Re: Is a 40 watt weller iron enough to do any rework?

the hakko one is best in price-range - search the forum for lots of stuff about it.
but be carefull where you buy it - there areshit copies about that look real.