Dave said:
After quite a few years away from electronics repair, I'm going to get
back into it as a hobby. I'm going to focus on computer and LCD monitor
repair, specifically to donate my parts and labor time to needy
organizations. So I've started gathering tools for the workbench to
handle SMT board repairs.
Good luck getting monitor parts. LCD monitor repair is almost exclusively a
board-level endeavor and most manu's only supply parts to authorized service
centers.
As for the SMD work, since it doesn't seem you'll be doing high volume work,
you can get by with ChipQuik kits:
http://www.chipquik.com/
From reading this group for the last few weeks it, here are the tools &
supplies I've seen recommended so far:
- Digital Volt Meter
- Oscilloscope with regular and high voltage probes
The o'scope can be useful for certain work, but all you really need for a
quick look inside digital circuitry is a logic probe. This is far more
field friendly than a bulky scope, too. Of course, if you intend to
directly compare waveforms, you'll want a DSO.
- ESR meter
- tweezer probes
- various jumper clip leads
- soldering station with adjustable heat
- liquid flux
- supply of thin solder wick
- solder sucker
- screw drivers, nut drivers, wire strippers, various cutters & pliers,
etc
And here come the questions:
- Are there any FAQ's or lists available with suggestions of tools and
supplies needed?
- What am I missing from the list above?
- Any particular tools and brands to stay away from? I like buying good
tools.
I find Xcelite hand tools to be among the best out there for electronics
work, priced accordingly. I've used lots of other brands and can assure you
if you skimp here, you'll curse the cheaper stuff in short order.
I know lots of people enjoy slamming Weller, but my WTCPS station has
performed exceptionally well for many years. I haven't used the newest
Weller stuff. Maybe it's crap, I dunno. The older models appear regularly
on ebay and seem reasonably priced. If you want a station with an
adjustment knob and a readout, don't bother, as this series of Weller
stations is tip controlled (different tip = different temp).
As for the solder sucker, a good compromise between the costly vac stations
and garden-variety teflon-tip suckers is the powered sucker. The vac
chamber is pretty much identical to a normal sucker with the typical
button-operated plunger. Unlike with the average vac, the desoldering
process can be done with one hand. Since the tip melts the solder, you can
set it directly atop the joint for a perfect seat and you don't have to
worry about the metal tips melting, ever. These also work wonders with
plated-thru holes. The typical wattages of these vacs is 30-45W and they
can be had for as low as $20US.
Don't skimp on the wick. I find Tech Spray's "Pro Wick" and Easy Braid's
"Quick Braid" to have the fastest wicking action and longest shelf lives. A
reasonable alternative in a pinch is Velleman, but it isn't nearly as
cooperative as the first two. Avoid Pro's Tool wicks like the plague.
Liquid flux. I hardly ever require it. If you need to solder a large area
such as a thick ground braid to a metal RFI cover, yeah, you'll probably
need some extra flux. For 25+ years, I've consistently made beautiful pcb
and terminal (pots, switches, etc.) joints using quality rosin-cored solder.
Liquid and paste flux is at best overhyped for general electronics work. At
worst, it's a time waster. It's one extra step in the soldering process you
can eliminate simply by using quality cored solder, the right iron temp and
proper technique (ensuing flame fest to be summarily dismissed
Granted, flux requirements are different for lead-free applications, but if
you have a cored flux that's identical to a bottled flux designed for the
task, you should be able to achieve good joints with the same small amount
of flux delivered by the solder wire as with leaded cored solder for leaded
apps. For more on lead-free considerations:
http://www.kester.com/en-us/leadfree/flux.aspx
