What Is Best For Inspection Work For A Hobbyist On The Cheap - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: NeoMorph
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2013, 05:34:04 pm
content: Today I spent over 4 hours trying to figure out why my latest prototype wouldn't work and it was all due to a damned sneeze.No, I didn't get snot on the PCB... I just managed to splash a teeny, tiny bit of solder that bridged two tracks and I couldn't see it for the life of me. It was minuscule.So I think it's time to get some sort of microscope I think. Would something like this be any good?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150910990937My problem is I hate jewellers loupes and also wear specs. I would love a Mantis but only get disability pension so it is way out of my price range.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2013, 05:41:10 pm
content: For lowest cost inspection a desk magnifier like this is hard to beat

author: NeoMorph
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 01:48:36 am
content: Mike, I don't know why I never thought of this. Simple yet effective (and has a lamp in too). Sometime the obvious fix is not obvious to the person near to the problem. Forest, trees situation.Cheers!

author: jeroen74
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 08:56:40 am
content: I use a jewellers loupe. I don't like those desk magnifiers. I have one, but I only use it for the light.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 09:02:35 am
content: I find desk magnifiers inevitably wobble and rarely give enough magnificationI've tried various alternatives and have yet to find anything this side of a Mantis that works as well as one of these coupled with an ordinary desk lamp or torch:http://uk.farnell.com/coil/5404/magnifier-eye-glass-x4/dp/201870

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 11:17:28 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on January 27, 2013, 09:02:35 amThose small ones (popular with nail bars apparently) are pretty stable and often have an inset higher magnification lens. Main limitation is lack of room to work under, but for inspection they're not bad, and very good value at around $20

author: NeoMorph
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 01:31:46 pm
content: I was going to buy a desk clamp one and then thought of the wobble issue and instead decided on a floor mounted one. As I am on concrete (no wooden floors) I won't have wobble issues (hopefully).This is the one I have decided on...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGNIFYING-LAMP-MAG-FLOOR-STANDING-RIGHT-LIGHT-TATTOO-SALON-BEAUTY5X-/190785553473?pt=UK_HealthBeauty_Other_RL&hash=item2c6bb48441

author: delerious
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 03:45:45 pm
content: I bought one of those cheap LED headband magnifiers. It has 3 lenses (1.5x, 1.5x, 7x)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V4RX42/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i04. The headband is kind of so-so, but it works good enough for the price (<$11 with shipping).

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 07:36:59 pm
content: I use binocular surgical loupes. I have one pair that claims to be 3.5X but is really 2x that's fine for general work. Surface mount needs something better, a real 3.5x or 4x. I have a cheap pair of 4.5X which I really don't like; it has a depth of field of about 1cm. That's hard to keep your head at the right distance so things are in focus. If you're funds limited, don't buy before you try.In general, though, I like them. With an 16-18 inch working distance, you don't get your nose burned by your iron and you don't have to hunch over a fixed magnifier.

author: dermitza
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 08:46:51 pm
content: I found this recently:http://www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch/messtechnik-im-online-handel/messgeraete-fuer-alle-parameter/mikroskop-meade-instruments-europe-gmbh-co.-kg-mikroskop-biolux-icd-20x-det_28471.htm?_list=qr%2Eart&_listpos=31It looks too good to be true for 50 euros, but Ill go for it soon. My only worry is that I'd somehow need to fit a plate to make it work for larger boards.

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 08:58:55 pm
content: I use one of those lit ring CCFL magnifiers that mike posted. I don't use the magnifier much, the light makes all the difference though.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 10:24:16 pm
content: Skip the magnifiers and go straight to a binocular stereo inspection microscope. You won't regret that one, even if you are just a weekend hobbyist and especially if you are doing surface mount. Assuming you don't totally abuse it, it won't really lose value and you can always resell it. You don't need a mantis. You can regularly find used stereo scopes on ebay for around 100 bucks. If you want to go new, check out amscope for just a bit more. Straight from china, but really good quality for the money. There are some reviews here on the forum for the amscopes. I use a trinocular one at work all the time.Things to keep in mind:1) 0.7-3 or 4 zoom with 10x wide-field eyepieces is all you really need. I usually work on 0402s at around 1x zoom with those 10x wide-field eyepieces. Anything higher is mostly for inspection. You can even get away with a fixed magnification and a couple sets of eyepieces. I really don't zoom around that often.For the ebay specials, watch out when they say stuff like 10x-80x. That's probably not zoom. They are just saying its a fixed mag head that comes with a set of 10x and a set of 80x eyepieces or something like that.2) Don't neglect the stand. The more steady it is the less jitter and less eyestrain. Even that said, a home built stand with a decent stereo scope head is better than a magnifier. A lot of ebay specials are just for the head, so keep in mind you are going to need some way to mount and focus it. You don't need a boom stand, but it's nice to have.3) Get a ring light that will fit on the bottom of the scope head. I like the LED ones more than the florescent but either will work. The cheap ones are fine.4) Above all else, it makes your lab look cool! Just like having that old Tek mainframe in the corner, a good microscope gives you instant geek cred.Do the ebay search for "stereo zoom microscope", so even just "stereo inspection microscope" for fixed mag ones.