Anyone have a good source for scopes/magnifying, solder/rework equipment? Thinking about a little upgrading as parts get smaller.
what are you guys using?
Anyone have a good source for scopes/magnifying, solder/rework equipment? Thinking about a little upgrading as parts get smaller.
what are you guys using?
Relatively inexpensive, good enough optics for work and inspection [*], LED illumination with 3xAA rechargeables in the base, includes case.
Tools over at
-- Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
Madell
We've got Mantis microscopes
-- Rob Gaddi, Highland Technology Email address is currently out of order
Expensive. Of course, John L. certainly has a lot to say about how well they work and I completely believe him about it. They are out of the ballpark for some of us hobbyists.
Jon
There are a number of different visors that I have used, but I found that the focal length was very short (I have a problematic neck) which resulted in some discomfort after an extended period. I managed to persuade my employer to cough up for a pair of dental loupes (Dimension 3)from Orascoptic
These are custom made so there should be no eye strain and the focal length can be chosen as well as the magnification. Unfortunately I chose the lesser magnification because at the time I was working with 1206 /SO8 type sizes. As things have shrunk, I have felt the need for greater magnification.
I didn't go for the head lamp because it was so bright, it washed out all ID on the devices.
The only problem is convincing your boss that you are worth a couple of thousand dollars. They are certainly worth it to me.
Digitus also make a microscope/camera which I got from Digikey
-Aubrey
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Thanx all Doesn't seem like there's much new in 'boom scopes'/etc. The cool looking stuff seems really pricey. Some units very similar to what we have now. But some stuff looks higher quality. I'm passing this along to the bosses. They can decide what demos to bring in.
thanx again!
I've been using a 10X/30X Paragon from LW Scientific for about
8 years. Relief between lens and focal plane is about 4"---more than enough to get in soldering iron and tweezers. I almost always use the 10X setting. I use a $20 adjustable lamp from Staples for lighting. (60W equivalent CFL bulb).I often solder all except the very fine-pitch parts with one of the 3X magnifying headsets available in the tool department of most larger department stores. I still use the microscope for final inspection, though.
IIRC scope cost was about $200 then. They are now available for $220 or so.
Search on microscopes and price from low to high.
For soldering, I use a fairly simple Weller iron---no digital display, etc. Just a temperature setting knob. Make sure to get one with a grounded tip and replaceable tips. I generally use the finest long conical point tips.
Mark Borgerson
and Metcal soldering
I will second the Metcal. I have used them in a couple of places and they are really nice. But you get what you pay for, they are not cheap. For hobby stuff, any 15 watt iron with a small tip will do the job. But I wouldn't use anything from Radio Shack.
Rick
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