From the sounds of everyone this is a pretty simple thing to do… Has anyone used a cast iron skillet as the heated surface? My hotplate has electric stove elements and I chose the skillet as they give very even heat distribution but I’m wondering if somehow that my be my issue. I’m going to test the calibration of my meter tonight and mock up a smd board and try to reflow with less aggressive heat and a standard surface.
How long can FR4 stand the heat? Components can not handle an extreme increase in heat and I imagine the FR4 could only handle say 15min at high temperatures.
EDIT:
All right I tested my temp probe and it is plenty accurate. 99C(211F) to a rolling boil and 1C(33F) when frozen inside an ice cube. Ill give my board a try in an aluminum pan tomorrow.
Should I try again with my 1/32" 0.5oz board or up the size to 1/16" 1oz?