Infrared Rework Stations

[divelectservices]

Has anyone used any of the cheap Chinese infrared rework stations such as the T-862, or any other brand?
There are several videos on YouTube showing them being used.  Do they really work?  How do they compare to the traditional hot-air devices?

I am skeptical about them, but the price is really compelling if they work.

 

[Hypernova]

Here's my 862D+, I had a thread here last year when it first arrived but it seems to have disappeared. I can repost more pic's on the accessories if you want.


The silicon sealant on the preheater gives off a toxic smell when it goes over 100C so I don't use it . I took it to the Uni's lab and all the guys liked it, especially when you don't have to try book the SMD lab as the thesis deadline draws near.

[Psi]

you could try running the preheater outside all day, the smell might go away after its been broken in

[FreeThinker]

you could try running the preheater outside all day, the smell might go away after its been broken in

I agree. It is more than likely that it is oil or such on the heating element, new electric cooker elements have the same issue when first used ,goes away after 5 mins or so.

[Hypernova]

Well, I had it on 180C for an hour when I first got it, while it has reduced some what you can still smell it. And now that I have moved to Taiwan I have yet to unbox the thing and do another burn in (since I got access to a lab at work). I'll get around for full day burn this time once I find a transformer since it isn't 110V compatible.

Here's how bad it was when I first got it, you can see the smoke very clearly. 

[FreeThinker]

you could try running the preheater outside all day, the smell might go away after its been broken in

I agree. It is more than likely that it is oil or such on the heating element, new electric cooker elements have the same issue when first used ,goes away after 5 mins or so.

Hmm! Daft question but you did remove ALL the packing material? Sounds like something getting overly hot. 'Burn in ' should be in the range of a few mins any longer and I would be investigating further.

[FreeThinker]

Looking more closely at the photo and I feel that the white cover on the preheat may be a plastic protection which peels off. Normaly this would be blue but just check that you cannot peel this off, seems strange that it is not a brushed aluminium base.

[Hypernova]

Looking more closely at the photo and I feel that the white cover on the preheat may be a plastic protection which peels off. Normaly this would be blue but just check that you cannot peel this off, seems strange that it is not a brushed aluminium base.

Nope, the ceramic preheater really is like that with a hard shiny finish, I've also once dial up the heat so high that you can use it like those home made SMD hot plates. It's definitely the silicon sealant around the edges. They probably used off the shelf plumber types that wasn't mean to be heated.