Small Batch Wave Soldering

[rfe1]

Hi

Recently I am producing batches of 10 to 50 PCB's and I am a little sick of hand soldering the few THT Components (mainly Connectors).

I would like to have a small Wave Soldering Machine where I don't need to heat up 10s of kg of solder in order to solder a few connectors.

Is there any simple device with a fluxer and a small soldering wave that would be feasable for that job?

[Jackster]

What you want is a solder dipping pot.

They come in all sorts of sizes. Pair it with a spray bottle of flux and you can do 100s of boards an hour.

I have one of these https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oEFSLiz
Works great and you don't need to fully fill them to the brim for them to work.

These look a bit better though I have not tried one myself.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omWUTId

[jmelson]

Jackster is right.  I got a large solder pot and made a "claw" out of galvanized thin steel to hold the board by the edges.  I place all the through-hole parts and then dip the board at a slight angle, then make it flat on the surface of the solder, then tilt it the other way and slowly raise it from the solder.  There is a bit of technique to have the lift angle and lift speed just right so you don't get solder icicles.
Oh, yes, I preheat the board on a 100 C hotplate for a few minutes before the dipping.
But, it works amazingly well.
Jon

[Smokey]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/who-has-a-selective-solder-machine/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/desktop-selective-soldering-desktop-wave-soldering/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/wow-never-knew-these-even-existed!-selective-soldering/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/benchtop-wave-soldering-machine-anyone-using-one/

[IconicPCB]

I invested in a small solder pot fountain with exchangeable nozzles designed to handle various tasks.

A squirt of flux step on the timer activating pedal and the fountain activates for a presettable time wetting only the required area ( manual selective soldering ). Tasks which used to take hours are now dispensed with in much shorter order.
Do Not shy away from a reasonable solder pot volume, it gives a less variable soldering process.

[Smokey]

I invested in a small solder pot fountain with exchangeable nozzles designed to handle various tasks.

A squirt of flux step on the timer activating pedal and the fountain activates for a presettable time wetting only the required area ( manual selective soldering ). Tasks which used to take hours are now dispensed with in much shorter order.
Do Not shy away from a reasonable solder pot volume, it gives a less variable soldering process.

Link?  Which one did you get?  Would you recommend?

[IconicPCB]

Initially I spoke to Wenesco

WENESCO INC.

DIVISION OF LDS INDUSTRIES LLC
930 W. NATIONAL AVE
ADDISON, IL 60101
773 283-3004

Later however I spoke to a supplier in China and eventually purchased the Chinese product; budget constraints etc.
Would have preferred the wenesco product but it was USD4900.00 plus import and freight charges to Australia.
The Chinese product was AUD3000.00 and lower costs of importation.

And yes I would recommend it wholeheartedly.
Google TSPL3010

[rfe1]

Thanks for all the answers.
Has anyone worked with the Proma machines? I attached a picture, it looks like that would be a good starting point as it is relatively cheap.

I assume as there is no pump having the right level of solder is crucial for good results?