So I'm thinking -- how about mounting a PC fan in a
small plastic box (like a hobby electronic project
enclosure), and running the tubing from there.  The
airflow can then be controlled by varying the
voltage to the fan, and we wouldn't have to futz
with the steel-wool etc.

Cheers,
-Neil.


Johnathan Corgan scribbled:
>
> I've recently tried this with (very) limited success.  The comment the
> article makes about being sensitive to airflow is true; I've tried a
> variety of flow "restrictors" (minced desoldering wick, steel wool,
> etc.) and I still either get lots of cold (well, not hot enough) air, or
> so little air that it can't heat up anything (except the tip of my
> finger, ouch :)  It's been able to melt bare solder placed directly in
> front of the airflow, but not solder or solder paste applied to a
> board/component.  Still tinkering.
>
> A couple of things learned along the way--the air inlet tube is slightly
>   too big for standard aquarium pump tubing, so you have to go up a
> size. Also, the tubing gets a little soft when heated so you have to be
> careful not to jostle it or it will literally rip (I put on a strain
> relief to the handle of the soldering iron).  There's a warning about
> turning off the iron and leaving the airflow on until it cools off to
> avoid melting the tubing, but for me this hasn't been a problem.
>
> Incidentally, I've gotten the toaster oven method to work, at least in
> principle, but need to figure out a more repeatable method for
> controlling the temperature profile other than "ooh, it melted, better
> shut it off now." :)
>
> -Johnathan, AE6HO

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