SMD re-work DIY tool

[Al_The_Man]

I came across a neat article to make a hot air re-work gun for SMD components, the problem is it is centred around the de-soldering gun sold by Radio Shack, model 64-2060.
R.S have pulled out of Canada for a while now so I am looking for another source of the this solder sucker, it is the type with the bulb attached and sells for ~$10.00 US.
Anyone know of the same item in Canada or anybody in the US living near a R.S. could ship one to me, I would be obliged.
The design reverses the S. S. to a heat gun.
Al.

[mcphill]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man I came across a neat article to make a hot air re-work gun for SMD components, the problem is it is centred around the de-soldering gun sold by Radio Shack, model 64-2060. R.S have pulled out of Canada for a while now so I am looking for another source of the this solder sucker, it is the type with the bulb attached and sells for ~$10.00 US. Anyone know of the same item in Canada or anybody in the US living near a R.S. could ship one to me, I would be obliged. The design reverses the S. S. to a heat gun. Al.

Any chance you can link or send me the article? I can send the part to you if you are interested. E-mail me at mike@mcpii.com

[Pandinus]

I think I have one of the desoldererererers in question, so a link would be nice

[Al_The_Man]

Mike, Thanks for the offer.
email on its way
Al.

[Al_The_Man]

This is the link
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/07/h...oldering-iron/
Al.

[RomanLini]

Dont you hate a smartass?

[Pandinus]

Better to be a Smartass than a Dumbass... or you could say better to be a smartOzz than a dumbOzz... doh, there I go
Thanks Al

[RomanLini]

Well at least the engadget blog credited the earlier thread even though they didn't credit me as the originator of the idea itself.

[Al_The_Man]

You have Radio Shack in Australia?
I always thought it was a N.A. company.
Al.

[RomanLini]

Yeah since I was a kid in the '70's, they licensed here under the name "Tandy" with most of the Radio Shack range. At the usual stupid prices, I remember buying 5 resistors on a little card for like $2 and in 1976 that was a lot of money. They've never been a successful electronics hooby supplier here in Aus they're a more of a gadget retailer in shopping malls.

The hot air thing came about in about 2001(?) some guys on the Piclist were discussing the high cost of SMD hot air rework stations, and I remembered seeing a crappy rubber bulb solder iron attachment I think we inherited when buying one of the TV repair shops and suggested just putting an aquarium air pump on it. It was Rob who did the testing and came up with the real clever part of stuffing the metal tube with steel wool to increase the thermal transfer to the air.

[Pandinus]

Another Idea would be to put a tee in the line with a small valve coming off of it... opening the valve would drop the volume of air blowing through the tip...IE a pressure relief.. hotter air for a smaller part...