Hi,
I need a preheater to work on multilayered boards and other things with large heatsink. Currently I own a T8120 preheater which does it job, however when it operates, it awfully stinks (like a $5 chinese frying pan when overheated). Not wanting to get cancer, I am willing, if needed, to spend more money on a preheater, however would prefer not to significantly exceed $1000. I would like to ask the community to recommend a preheater, preferably convection one (but I am fine with an IR). There are two types of choice:
Option one is something smaller along the lines of JBC PHS preheater with approx 15x15 heating plate (approx $1100)
Option two would be something along the lines of JBC PHB convection preheater with a heating plate slighly larger than A4 paper (pretty pricey - at least $2500).
Is there a "serious brand" equipment which will not stink or in general give me cancer in a different way with these parameters, but something cheaper than JBC? My google searches tell my that there seems to be a major gap between $200 and $2500 equipment (with a few Ayoue models for $500).
My workflow would be hot air station in one hand, tweezers in other, and preheater under both of them (so controlled size of the heating plate would be a nice option).