Peter Hiscocks wrote:
I'm considering purchasing a hot-air soldering station to help solder SMC
boards. The Madell 8502 (for example) is a fraction of the cost of some of
the other 'big name' hot air soldering stations. Does anyone have any
experience with this brand?

No comments on this unit, but IMHO you will greatly benefit from a
pre-heater when using an air pencil. It will make the air pencil much
faster / easier to use, and completely eases the struggle with
(de-)soldering to large copper pours. See http://www.zeph.com for some.

Richard