SMT prototyping/DIY reflow ovens

[ScaleRobotics]

I set the temperature for around 350 F and the timer for 15 minutes. Place the boards in the cold oven. When the timer goes off I leave the board in the oven with the door closed. The slow cool down seems to have less oxidation than a fast cool down.

Thanks Dave, I guess I could have saved some money then! Although I was making boards with rgb surface mount leds that are supposed to be pretty sensitive about being baked. Here is the profile for the solder I was using. They say optimum performance is below 5.5 minutes to peak temp, and show it in reflow zone for 75 seconds.



I notice most manufacturer's specs are quite short. Here is some info from Microchip.


But perhaps I am being too worried about cooldown. And just keeping the door closed would be more gradual cooling.