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[gepal]

First of all, this is not a reballing station. Second, it is clearly visible that more expensive item has preheating plate which is necessary for correct reflow.

But, I personally don't think that preheating plate with hot air station is worth $1k.

QUOTE(iKhan @ Dec 5 2011, 01:34 PM)

This is $135

http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B006FA481G

and
this is close to $1K

http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_3519wt_1304
So what exactly does a reball station do that a hot air rework station won't?
Chime in on this for a noob?

[bamarquez226]

QUOTE(iKhan @ Dec 5 2011, 02:34 AM)

This is $135

http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B006FA481G

This unit is only good for surface mount components, i.e. the small rectangular chips like resistors, caps, and some other chips. You can also remove a NAND with this if you are well versed in hot air station usage.

QUOTE(iKhan @ Dec 5 2011, 02:34 AM)

and
this is close to $1K

http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_3519wt_1304
So what exactly does a reball station do that a hot air rework station won't?
Chime in on this for a noob?

Its a hot air station with a bottom heater. This was the outdated way of doing a reflow before the IR methods came about.

Gepal is right, that's expensive for a hot air unit.  You can probably get a whole Aoyue setup, hot air and preheater setup for less than half, NEW.  

Let's get some terminology down, reball = replacing the solder balls on the GPU/CPU with leaded solder balls, and resolder to the motherboard. Reflow = remelting solder on the GPU/CPU so that it can reconnect to the motherboard.

Both need a similar setup where you preheat the motherboard, and a concentrated heating unit to melt the solder.

[Gokussj5okazu]

Aoyue hot air rework station, plus a Walmart griddle = cheap, improvised reball station.

No, it's not the best, but if you practice enough with it and use a GOOD THERMOCOUPLE, it can be done quite well.

[pure3d2]

QUOTE(iKhan @ Dec 5 2011, 11:34 AM)

This is $135

http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B006FA481G

and
this is close to $1K

http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_3519wt_1304
So what exactly does a reball station do that a hot air rework station won't?
Chime in on this for a noob?

Stay away from the Aoyue stations.  They are notorious for producing uneven heating.  I know firsthand because I own an Aoyue 968.  

The 852A+ and the T8280 preheater in the auction are what I consider a very entry level setup.  The 852A+ can be bought for about $150.  The T8280 preheater is about $250 shipped if you buy from SMTmax.com (California-based).  I recommend against buying the preheater overseas because the chance of getting broken plates on arrival is quite high.

The auction talks about a custom "heat rack" but doesn't show any pictures.  From my experience, I prefer to buy the board support plates made specifically for that board.  The adjustable ones are a pain, I've owned one.

The included Kester 951 flux is also inferior.  Amtech 4300 liquid flux is far superior.  For the $1k they are asking, it's a total and complete rip off.  Get it if you want to waste your money.

You can get an ACHI IR PRO SC with a reballing jig + stencils for about $1300 shipped.  I own a Hakko FR-802 and the same T8280 preheater and I reball with that set up.  With the Aoyue stations, I was never able to get good results.  I even bought the Aoyue INT 732--what a total piece of shit.

If you want to check out some of my work, check out my YouTube videos.

I've since retired from reballing so now I'm only offering my help for those who want to get into it.