At eBits, we’re always excited to share projects that mix creativity, hands-on learning, and practical engineering. This week, we’re spotlighting a particularly cool build from The Curious Scientist, who just dropped the first video in a new series where he sets out to create a fully custom reflow hot plate—from the ground up.
If you've ever soldered surface-mount components by hand, you’ll know how tedious it can be. That’s where reflow soldering shines—it automates the process using carefully controlled heat profiles. But reflow ovens can be expensive, bulky, and overkill for many hobbyists or small-scale engineers. That’s why this project is so exciting: it shows how you can build your own reliable reflow tool using just a few affordable components and a clever control system.
Liste over nødvendige komponenter:
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Arduino Nano R3 |
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MAX6675 K-type Thermocouple Module |
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TRIAC switch EK025 |
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1.8" inch TFT LCD Display |
In the first prototype, he uses an Arduino Nano as the brain of the system, connected to a MAX6675 K-type thermocouple module to read temperatures and a TRIAC-based switching circuit to control the heating element. It’s a simple on/off control approach for now—nothing fancy like PID control just yet—but for a first iteration, it works surprisingly well. The heater turns on when the plate is below the target temperature and off when it goes above. Straightforward, but effective.
What really stands out, though, is the effort put into the user interface. He’s included a full-color 1.8" TFT LCD that displays everything in real time—your custom-defined reflow curve, the actual temperature, elapsed time, and more. Not only can you set your own curve, but the software plots both the setpoint and live temperature over time as the plate heats up. It’s the kind of polish you rarely see in an early prototype, and it makes the experience much more intuitive and transparent.
This DIY approach is part of a larger tradition in the maker community. Back in the early 2000s, people started modifying toaster ovens or using hacked hot plates to reflow PCBs at home. It was a way to gain more control over the soldering process without investing in professional equipment. Now, tools and components have become so accessible that you can build something genuinely smart and capable like this in a weekend—with full temperature control and live feedback.
If this sounds like something you'd love to try, you can follow along with the project on YouTube. This is just Part 1, so expect the design to evolve with better control strategies, tighter tolerances, and even more features.
And if you’re looking for parts to start your own version—or to tweak your current setup—we’ve got all the essentials at eBits.dk. Projects like these are exactly why we do what we do. We love helping makers and engineers push boundaries, learn new things, and build tools that make electronics more fun and more accessible.
Let us know if you end up building your own reflow plate—we’d love to see it!
