I've been working with "fun" (insert PIA) QLP packages for some Chipcon ICs. The website www.sparkfun.com has some great articles on reflow ovens, and using hotplates for smaller boards. I splurged for a $30.- solid element hotplate from Target, bought some lead bearing paste, and went to work. The first 4 X 3" board I did came out just O.K., so I shelved it and proceeded to make a break out board for the 20 pin chipcon CC1100. It took me nearly three hours to solder by hand, which included an hour of making sure all pins on the 1100 were attached.
For the second board, I decided to retry the hotplate. Learning the lessons of the first hotplate experience, I pasted, placed the components, fired up the hotplate, and had a complete board (working) in under 30 minutes!
I will never go back for SMT work...NEVER! With the amount of prototypes I make, this fits in nicely with all the other household items I have mutated for PC work. An oven with temp control would do well for items with heavier connectors that would needed to be heated from the top and bottom. Hmmm, that George Forman grill of my wife's does just that! I'll get back to you ;<)
Ron
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