The Quest for Practical and Affordable PCB Reflow Solutions

Exploring the depths of the internet, I’ve come across various vapor phase DIY experiments. Unfortunately, none of them appear to be practical, effective, or well-planned. Upon examining entry-level and higher-end commercial models, I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for the challenge they present. However, the cost of these commercial units, even the basic ones, is quite high.

Considering the nature of my work, which involves a mix of power and signals on small boards roughly the size of my hand, I am in search of viable DIY projects or affordable entry-level alternatives. The idea of investing around $1k in parts to construct a small reflow system to replace my current convection batch oven is appealing to me.

Do you have any recommendations or suggestions for suitable DIY projects or functional entry-level options that could meet my needs? Or is this simply wishful thinking?