Chopstick style test probes? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 09:09:11 pm
content: Anyone know of any sharp pointed probes with the form factor of a Japanese chopstick?This is for in-circuit probing of passive components with an LCR or ESR tester.Having tried tweezers I'm not enamored of those for testing thru hole parts. My favorite DMM probes have guards which make getting the tips close together difficult.Thanks,Reg

author: JxR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 09:33:28 pm
content: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001015582230.htmlThe most chopstick looking probe set I've ever seen...

author: jeroen79
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 10:28:49 pm
content: From Fluke:TP2TL40TP88Are fairly slim with a small or no fingerguard.TP220TP80Can be used as well, just cut off the fingerguard.Ali et al will offer suitable copies for less money.For leaded through hole parts you can also use clips to grab or hook around the leads.How about some DIY?https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Variable-Spacing-Multimeter-Probe-From-Draftin/

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 11:18:12 pm
content: I just bought this:https://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-1-PAIR-Universal-Probe-Test-Leads-Pin-Digital-Multimeter-76cm-1000V/121655978139We'll see. No big loss if they don't. I may be able to reduce the diameter near the tips.The AliExpress ones look to be exactly what I want. I just wish they accepted PayPal. Not real keen on giving multiple websites my CC data.I learned to pick up a grain of rice with chopsticks almost 50 years ago. So setting two probe tips the proper distance and pushing them into contact is a breeze. And much faster than adjusting a divider whether screw or friction joint type.I just tried 3 chopsticks and I think with a modest amount of practice I can make that work for transistors. With a good in-circuit tester that would greatly speed up repairs on stuff without service data.Have Fun!Reg

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 10:17:44 pm
content: Quote from: JxR on May 21, 2020, 09:33:28 pmThe probes they are using are amazing, ultra-mini banana plug, hand soldered (?) to some sort of step down adapter.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 11:13:33 pm
content: Those look really nice. Thanks for sharing the picture.The system they are selling looks to be about the only sane way to connect an LA to the crazy fine pitch parts short of a major company budget.Have Fun!Reg

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 12:11:52 am
content: Quote from: rhb on May 21, 2020, 09:09:11 pmThis is what you want if you are doing LCR, this is a kelvin probe made by the smart tweezers companyhttps://smarttweezers.us/LCR-probe-connector.htmlI have them.. it works

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 12:21:02 am
content: Quote from: Elasia on May 23, 2020, 12:11:52 amHell yeah, if you're doing SMD then smart tweezers are the way to go however most are too shy to shell out the $ on a proper tool !Reg is probably more interested in a set of these from the same company:https://lcr-reader.com/SMDmultimetertesttweezers.html

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 12:34:10 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 23, 2020, 12:21:02 amExcept.."Having tried tweezers I'm not enamored of those for testing thru hole parts. My favorite DMM probes have guards which make getting the tips close together difficult.:"What i linked is at least a kelvin probe still, this is how i do anything not a typical smd partAlso I got one of those cheap Chinese LCR meters in the silver case XJ whatever.. uses these alligator clips but isnt good for smdhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/32340597812.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.43252d8fnuHwMG&algo_pvid=ec79b669-9a79-42b2-9751-04ca6f6dd971&algo_expid=ec79b669-9a79-42b2-9751-04ca6f6dd971-36&btsid=0ab6d70515901938288026568e37af&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 01:02:47 am
content: Quote from: Elasia on May 23, 2020, 12:34:10 amI hear ya and you should know SMD tweezers can be stretched to fit over the greater selection of TH parts with axial caps being the exception. My old ST3's can manage 1" no problem.It's the first tool I reach for measure any component on a PCB and whip DMM probes for speed hands down.Thing is with SMD tweezers, their cost is such that until you have a set you'd never know how versatile they are.They've certainly excluded any requirement for a dedicated LCR meter on my bench.YMMV

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 01:21:29 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 23, 2020, 01:02:47 amSame reason i got mineSo... million dollar question.. when is siglent releasing a cheaper LCR meter? lol Surprised they dont have one on their list yet.. anything that can do 1mhz+ still costs a dick and a ball

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 01:35:31 am
content: Quote from: Elasia on May 23, 2020, 01:21:29 amMaybe an SVA should be on your want list.Smith charts and all that stuff.TBH I get bothered regularly by Asian sellers wanting to push that stuff.....but no !

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 01:46:34 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 23, 2020, 01:35:31 amYou're completely right... i forgot i got handed one on a silver platter... might as well use it lolJust had a fixation on a bench lcr meter for a long time.. to much free wall space i suppose

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 01:52:26 am
content: I learned to use chopsticks a very long time ago. I can easily take a pair of needle point chopsticks and poke the ends into the opposite ends of a grain of rice. I doubt that it would take me long to be able to pick and place SMD parts with suitably shaped chopsticks. It's a very natural extension of your finger tips.I might well buy a tweezer LCR meter at some point, but right now I'm concerned with easily probing boards which are either all thru hole or a mixture of thru hole and SMD parts.The probes I ordered should work fine for LCR in circuit testing. They might need to be shaved a bit by turning in a lathe and filing but I should be able to get the tips to touch with ease.Fo' me i' be way mo' fast'.Have Fun!Reg

author: ferdieCX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 01:52:57 am
content: Quote from: jeroen79 on May 21, 2020, 10:28:49 pmI regret to have bought the TP80. The IC insulated cap is not exactly "precision work", the probe tip remains inside the cap and it doesn't make contact with the IC pin. For the price of this probes, this is unacceptable.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 05:07:27 pm
content: These came today:Quote from: rhb on May 21, 2020, 11:18:12 pmI can get the tips to within 1/8" as is, but removing a small amount of plastic at the shoulder near the tip will solve that. The leads are PVC rather than silicone and are molded on, so no chance of changing them.The tips are very sharp and a cap is included. I'll probably buy a few more sets for some of my $3 HF DMMs which I got for free and make up a set with coax to replace the EDS-88A tweezers.Not great, but not bad. They'll do for now.Have Fun!Reg

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 07:53:33 pm
content: A lot of things like that ( even the one yourself much cheaper )https://vterchina.taobao.com/?spm=2013.1.1000126.3.7285760cPBmn42

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 11:38:30 pm
content: Sure, but I got mine in 2 days with free shipping.I've read the "Tao te Ching" in English translation for 48 years, but I never learned Chinese :-(Have Fun!Reg

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2020, 03:15:11 am
content: BTW If you are a Chinese entrepreneur reading this, a pair of probes that allowed single handed probing from 0-40 mm (a rough guess at what I can do) with nice, supple silicone lead wires would be a fantastic product. Especially if you offered 34401A compatible banana plugs as an option. Obviously, in a world of 0.25 mm pitch parts, fat tips won't work.I can actually make the tips touch with these, but it's not the way I would normally pick up chopsticks. For low voltage tests it's far better than anything else.Sell me some,Reg

author: serg-el
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2020, 04:56:27 pm
content: Straight arms and a little patience. Done!

author: serg-el
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2020, 02:13:37 pm
content: And for RLC probes. The connectors can be replaced with any other.Made for a multimeter. For measuring parts and connectors with low resistance on the boards.A coaxial cable was used from the Tasker C139 cord. Soft and good shielding quality.