How do you guys flow your smd parts and what kind of paste or solder do you use.. I am possible looking to make a toaster into a reflow with a controller or use a pid controller.. I read alot of people just eyeball it and use a remote meter .

 

The highly technical way is explained here: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/pro...-to-become-a-thermocouple-measurement-system/

I have done a few SMD boards and had success with a $5 electric skillet from Goodwill an IR remote thermometer, and a dimmer control.

 

I normally use a soldering iron and a 7-30X microscope to solder SMDs (I've spent many an hour slaving under a hot microscope!). If the component is a BGA, or has bottom pads not accessible from the top, then I bump the pads with solder, then use paste flux and a Weller heat gun. This was all done in a professional product development environment and this technique works well.

The very fine pitch stuff can be a real challenge using this technique.

 

I saw the article but I got thinking and did alot of research .. I found I could use a arduino and LCD with k-thermocouple with amps chips..Then grab a servo for the door and a ssr and couple buttons .. All the parts can get cheap off eBay ..I can wire it up but my problems comes with writing the code and programming which I will most likely need help with..