Well, guys, I'm afraid that SMT is here to stay in the pinball world. I've got my WOZ and there is no shortage of SMT components. And as we all know SMT stuff has been used on Stern games since SAM was introduced, and we're going to see more of it when their new boardset is introduced. And if I'm not mistaken, SMT is used on Stern's LED boards. So we're going to need to be able to work on this stuff.

I have a Pace MBT 250 and I have the SX-70 extractor and the PS-90 handpiece. This is all fine for through hole work. I've been looking at getting the necessary stuff for SMT work using my MBT 250, but piecing it all together means finding a bit of stuff. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good rework station for SMT components that we are going to typically find in pinball machines? Or should I pick up the necessary stuff for my MBT 250 and run with it?

I didn't start this to bitch about SMT reliability or complain about SMT, I'm asking about the equipment to fix it. SMT is here. If you want to keep the LEDs working on your game's inserts, you're going to have to be able to replace SMT components. Yes, it is coming to this. This stuff is going to break at some point, bitching about it isn't going to change this. So either some of us guys learn to do it and get the equipment, or we become dinosaurs. It can be done, I just want equipment recommendations.

Yeah, I'm not too worried about it. I just want to make sure I get the right stuff to do it. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions so far.

I'm always kind of leery of stuff like this as you usually get what you pay for. And I'd like something that holds up well and will serve me for a long time and have replacement parts available. But if someone had firsthand experience with stuff like this I'd like to hear about it.