Pace TF700 Rework Machine...is it okay?

Hi ya'll!

Well, I got the word that I can start looking for a rework machine now. Most of you know that I work at a start-up, so it goes without saying that we're not rolling in the dough. I've been looking at Pace's TF700 Thermaflow...seems pretty solid, Pace normally makes pretty good stuff. Do any of you have one of these units? Or have you ever worked directly with one? What I like about it is that for one, it's inexpensive, you can get everything you need for well under $10K and that includes a pretty good assortment of nozzles, and 2, it's not overly complicated to use like some of the other machines that have all the "bells and whistles" on them.

So whatcha' think? Should I buy one?

-Steve Gregory-

P.S. The picture is of me putting out Pascal Picotte's bike after a rookie stuffed him coming out of turn three going into turn 4 up at Sears Point Raceway during the AMA Nationals (he didn't get hurt BTW). I turnwork for the motorcycle races they have at Sears Point in Sonoma and Laguna Seca down in monterey, it's about as close as you can get to racing without actually doing it...a little somethin' I do other than build printed circuit assemblies...

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Glad you let us know about the picture. I thought that maybe this was a new technique for post wave cooling that everyone's been talking about

N

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Steve, We are in the same boat--small and limeted on fund.We have a TF200 that pace is letting us demo, seems like good tool that we can add to as we need to.We are going to buy one.Great shot at the races wish I was there. P.S.I can't spend too much money on rework stuff.I am picking up my new BLUE R1 on saturday.

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Steve,

I was expecting a closeup like Bob's picture.

Tenison

| Hi ya'll! | | Well, I got the word that I can start looking for a rework machine now. Most of you know that I work at a start-up, so it goes without saying that we're not rolling in the dough. I've been looking at Pace's TF700 Thermaflow...seems pretty solid, Pace normally makes pretty good stuff. Do any of you have one of these units? Or have you ever worked directly with one? What I like about it is that for one, it's inexpensive, you can get everything you need for well under $10K and that includes a pretty good assortment of nozzles, and 2, it's not overly complicated to use like some of the other machines that have all the "bells and whistles" on them. | | So whatcha' think? Should I buy one? | | -Steve Gregory- | | P.S. The picture is of me putting out Pascal Picotte's bike after a rookie stuffed him coming out of turn three going into turn 4 up at Sears Point Raceway during the AMA Nationals (he didn't get hurt BTW). I turnwork for the motorcycle races they have at Sears Point in Sonoma and Laguna Seca down in monterey, it's about as close as you can get to racing without actually doing it...a little somethin' I do other than build printed circuit assemblies... |

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Love the picture.

We are considering the PRC 1500. It combines a thermoflo unit with a MBT 250A which we currently use. Does anyone know the difference between the TF200 and the TF700? This is the first I have seen the TF700 mentioned.

Also, what kind of system do you recommended in replacing the part? Do you need a special vision system to replace the part?

Nancy | Hi ya'll! | | Well, I got the word that I can start looking for a rework machine now. Most of you know that I work at a start-up, so it goes without saying that we're not rolling in the dough. I've been looking at Pace's TF700 Thermaflow...seems pretty solid, Pace normally makes pretty good stuff. Do any of you have one of these units? Or have you ever worked directly with one? What I like about it is that for one, it's inexpensive, you can get everything you need for well under $10K and that includes a pretty good assortment of nozzles, and 2, it's not overly complicated to use like some of the other machines that have all the "bells and whistles" on them. | | So whatcha' think? Should I buy one? | | -Steve Gregory- | | P.S. The picture is of me putting out Pascal Picotte's bike after a rookie stuffed him coming out of turn three going into turn 4 up at Sears Point Raceway during the AMA Nationals (he didn't get hurt BTW). I turnwork for the motorcycle races they have at Sears Point in Sonoma and Laguna Seca down in monterey, it's about as close as you can get to racing without actually doing it...a little somethin' I do other than build printed circuit assemblies... |

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| Love the picture. | | We are considering the PRC 1500. It combines a thermoflo unit with a MBT 250A which we currently use. Does anyone know the difference between the TF200 and the TF700? This is the first I have seen the TF700 mentioned. | | Also, what kind of system do you recommended in replacing the part? Do you need a special vision system to replace the part?

Hello Nancy!

Thanks for the compliment on the picture! I really like working the races, it's a real rush to be standing next to the track when these guys scream by you at 140mph instead of being behind a chain link fence that's 50 yards away like happens when you're a regular spectator. The real cool thing about it, is they pay you too!

Anyways, the TF-700 is the latest offering from Pace that incorporates the thermoflow head with a really nice board support table that has X/Y adjustment capability, that also incorporates bottomside preheaters...a real must for BGA. Although it doesn't have vision, it seems to me that the X/Y table would be accurate enough so that you could pretty much eyeball things when putting something back down...I'd like a have a chance to play with one for a bit and try removing and replacing some parts myself. But it does look like this a is real solid, but no frills machine.

-Steve Gregory-

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