Through-hole stuff is a bit stone-age but I still enjoy playing with it even if the results are oversize.
You can get a descent hot-air rework station for less than 100 bux these days though... makes surface mount pretty easy.
“You can get a descent hot-air rework station for less than 100 bux these days though... makes surface mount pretty easy.”
I’ve done a few things for myself in surface mount but it’s a PITA. I have a hot air system but no oven. I can repair surface mount stuff, though. But I’ve seen surface mount parts as small as a grain of salt! That’s pushing my eyes too far, even with a magnifying visor. During the worst part of the (now permanent) recession, you could get an (amazingly good) Chinese stereo boom microscope for around $300. I ALMOST pulled the trigger.