EEVblog #167 - Atten 858D Hot Air Rework Review

[T4P]

Precisely, the cheap ones are nasty single diaphragm pumps. That said, aoyue's got a turbine pump version
http://www.aoyue.com/en/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=382 It's the 857A++

[soren]

I just bought an Atten AT858A because I like rotary knobs and it was slightly cheaper than the D version.

I half expected it to be the same microcontroller design but it is all analog, which should be a little more repairable.

The switching frequency is such that the front heater LED provides a good indication of the thermal load.

Otherwise identical to the 858D and with the same caveats like poor chassis grounding and inadequate strain relief at both ends of the handpiece cable.

[zapta]

Is it practical to use a unit like this to reflow SMD boards instead of a toaster oven? 

This is for a few one-of boards by an hobbyist, not a serious production, and with packages like this one

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/ATA6614Q-PLQW/ATA6614Q-PLQWTR-ND/3903739