Non-Slip Probe Tips Now Available - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2018, 05:20:43 pm
content: Hi Everyone,In Dave's Mailbag post 1043 minute 36 he checked out a set of the Non-Slip meter probe tips that I developed. His review was favorable and he actually said he would buy a set. He also wanted to know where they were available. Here is a link to Mail Bag 1043 where you will have to skip ahead to minute 36 if you want to see what he had to say.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy_Qlx_djCU&feature=youtu.beThe Attached picture is what the current Non-Slip Probe tip Adapters look like.The GOOD NEWS is that the tips are now being marketed by Neil Sherman at Tag-Connect in California so you can order and get a set of them for your own lab. Here is a link to Tag-Connect Electronics:http://www.tag-connect.com/Non-Slip-TipsCheck them out and let me know what you think.John

author: Avacee
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 06, 2018, 05:41:12 pm
content: Looks good andAny plans to get a UK / EU distributor as Tag-Connect wanted $62.50 to ship to the UK

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2018, 09:53:39 pm
content: Hi and thanks for your inquiry. We are early in the process but I will keep your request in mind. Shipping is a problem for everyone it seems.John

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 11:01:47 am
content: Are those tips re-purposed engraver bits? Or a custom shape?Btw, gramophone needles are also good. A hard, sharp single point end, useful for very precise probing.

author: BillB
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 01:19:49 pm
content: Those look. But is it me or are all the pictures on the Tag-Connect website really small? I'd be really interested in seeing a close-up of these tips. Though at $30 + $10 for shipping, they might be a little too expensive for me.

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 02:10:33 pm
content: Hi,It is a repurpsoed dental drill technology. The tips are inverted six point crowns made of tungsten carbide. The crown shape gives added ability to lock onto vertical wire leads and pins. They are available in 4 sizes from 0.6mm to 1.2mm. Experiment has shown that the 0.8mm size works best for electronics troubleshooting. All my adapter tips are supplied with the 0.8mm size point. The challenge has been finding a way to build the adapter between the probes original tip at 2 mm dia. and the 1.6mm diameter of the new tungsten carbide tip. It was also important to have the adapter strong, short and stable while still allowing easy removal and also tip replacement.John

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 02:20:46 pm
content: Hi BillB,I can post bigger specific pictures just let me know what detail you are interested in. If you do any work with circuits where it is necessary to probe and measure with your multimeter I think you will be glad that you spent the cost to get a set. They make taking measurements less frustrating, more relaxing and just plain fun. The pressure needed to make and retain a connection in difficult positions is minimal so your hands will not get as tired. The tips will sit on top of header pins and allow one handed holding which frees your other hand to adjust trimmers or change meter ranges. Some times I need to find a matched set of resistors in my resistor bin. I can probe individual resistors in the pile without having to remove them and fight with them to get a reading. The points are also great for probing through solder mask and oxidized pads. If you have any specific tests that you would like to see let me know.John

author: JDubU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 03:16:44 pm
content: Electrical resistance from end to end?

author: BillB
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 05:47:52 pm
content: Hi John, actually I just re-watched Mailbag vid and saw a closeup pic of the tip in the letter you sent Dave and his closeup shots of the tips. Now I understand, an inverted cone dental burr!

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 06:03:15 pm
content: Quote from: jcw0752 on May 08, 2018, 02:10:33 pmSeems the typical inverted cone tungsten carbide drills for dental turbines.

author: ChrisLX200
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 06:36:03 pm
content: Jeez I have hundreds of these (the burrs) in a small drawer, I must be richI never thought of tungsten carbide as a great material for a probe though?

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 07:06:22 pm
content: NiceIn the past I made my own, based on INGUN test point tips.Let us know, when you have a EU distributor, I would like to get a set.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 08:59:37 pm
content: I also have a misc collection of these kinds of probe ends, from a bed of nails test set, gold plated. Never thought of using this way. Cool idea!Well, the resistivity data won't post right:http://www.sapub.org/global/showpaperpdf.aspx?doi=10.5923/j.cmaterials.20120203.04Reinforcement %WC MaxwellModelP.GKlemensModelExperimentalvalues024680.157000.157840.158700.159570.160480.1570000.1576200.1582500.1589070.1595680.157000.157500.158230.158960.15959

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 11:21:00 pm
content: Hi JDubU,The resistance is not detectable on any of my meters. Whether I put the original tips together or the tips with the adapters I still get 0 ohms or the same low non-zero reading that is the result of the meter leads. I am sure that the steel of the shank and the tungsten carbide tip do have higher resistance than copper but over a distance of a centimeter or less it is negligible for ohms readings and irrelevant when compared to the mega ohm input impedance of the volt meter. I do not probe for currents with my meters. If I am going to measure currents, where small resistances can make a difference, I usually connect the leads directly into the circuit so that the tips are bypassed.John

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 11:29:18 pm
content: Hi mcinque,Yes you have the right idea. The numbers may vary from country to country. Here is a picture that I have used in my promotions.John

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 11:32:49 pm
content: Hi HighVoltage,I will post a source of distribution as soon as my marketer has it set up.John

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2018, 12:20:56 am
content: Hello,being based in an eastern european country, shipping is super cheap for me. If you want to, I can handle shipping logistics.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2018, 11:11:26 am
content: Again, I'd be interested if there was a UK distributor. US companies often want stupid amounts for shipment. I can get small items from China for £3-4 including the item whilst I have required the same size/value item from the US and the postage was £30. That has the knock on effect of triggering import duty so they add on whatever that is AND the company adding the £2-3 import duty then add a fee for handling that cost which might be £12-15. Yes nearly £50 for something costing £3-4. I avoid buying from the US for this reason.

author: jcw0752
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2018, 03:50:06 am
content: Hi Cowasaki,My distributor hopes to have UK distribution in place in the near future. We will let you know.John