Change stand for my stereomicroscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: robgerr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2020, 09:34:06 pm
content: Good evening friends of the forum. Sorry for my englishAs the title suggests I would like to change my stand of my Amscope microscope. I currently own this "Double Arm Boom Stand"210/5000I wanted to change this stand and take an articulated one but I saw that there are two types. One that is fixed directly on the table and one that is always fixed on the table but there is a tube that raises the whole standI wanted to ask what differences there are in particular. My concern is that the one with the tube is less stable. Has anyone tried it?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2020, 11:08:22 pm
content: Just a little advice. Hang onto your current double arm boom stand. I have tried to use the Amscope articulated one and it's just not stable enough for me to use. You may find you really like it. The one I used was mounted to a large base. The base was stable. It's the arm that I found to be a problem.

author: robgerr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 09:01:02 am
content: Thank you for the answer, but the one you had was this one with the wide base?

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 11:02:07 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on September 14, 2020, 11:08:22 pmI have a question as an interested bystander. Was the articulated arm stable enough at low magnifications, and if so, at what total magnification did it become a problem?

author: robertson.alan@gmail.com
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 07:19:53 pm
content: HIYes I am about to purchase a microscope as well, I was going to get the articulating arm with the desk clamp and pillar, but I am now wandering if it is stable enough for high mag smd work.looking for advice.ThanksAlan

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 08:26:45 pm
content: How much magnification and working distance?I have a 40x stereo microscope that is too much magnification, and even with WF eyepieces it's too narrow a field.The microscope sits on a standard base and I would like a boom mount of some sort so I can work on larger boards and even inside equipment. Sometimes removing a board is too much work and too risky so I'd like to move the microscope over the unit and work on it that way.Also, means of illumination is important. I cobbled up a few tiny lamps with a wall wart but it's not very good.I can't figure out how to remove the microscope from the stand except to remove the base from the rest of the assembly, with four screws.

author: amwales
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 08:43:31 pm
content: I have the arm that is attached to the desk, I've had it a couple of weeks and am using it to solder fine pitch parts.I don't notice any wobble, when I use it I don't press my eyes against the rubber eyepieces but hold them slightly away. The desk I have is very stable and the whole assembly is fine for me. Originally I wanted the articulated arm that had the tube since it looked like I could have it higher over the desk but they were out of stock so I got the one without the tube, it is great and I have no regrets. I ordered from Aliexpress, got delivery from Spain to the UK I was shocked that the delivery took about a week after I placed the order.

author: amwales
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 08:51:22 pm
content: robertson.alanSee you are in the UKI bought the Eakins with camera, the arm and 0.5x Barlow. I got it fromhttps://www.aliexpress.com/store/836673?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.5f874c4dXPXJQcI selected Spain as the originating country, paid £306 delivery and shipping ( no import or VAT as european ). I was originally looking at the same one on ebay for over £500!!! If you get that one you will also need one of thesehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0796MXLHH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1for about £4 ( The 5MM C-CS Mount Lens Adapter Ring Extension Tube ) this will enable you to have focus on both the camera and eyepieces at the same time.Good luck.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 08:59:01 pm
content: I've used the articulated arm for some years now. It's been good enough for me, I work down to 01005 and very occasionally 008004, although mostly 0402 and 0201.It's plenty stable enough IME.I'm afraid I can't compare it to the double arm boom stand as I've never used that setup.Mine is clamped to the desk edge.Edit I use a 0.5x Barlow, zoom simul-focal and WH10X/20 eye pieces 24/7. I don't change this setup at all, the BArlow gives a good working distance and is a comfortable height to work at for hours at a time, especially with a height adjustable seat.

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 09:09:18 pm
content: I'd also like to try an articulated arm, but it seems impossible to find them separately at a sensible price. I'm tempted to try adapting something intended for a monitor.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2020, 05:34:27 am
content: amwales can you post a link to the one you have?

author: lukego
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2020, 03:36:05 pm
content: I have the articulated arm that clamps onto the table. Mine is from Eakins/Aliexpress but it looks the same as your picture.Mine wobbles slightly. I can solder 01005 no problem but videos taken from the microscope camera port can be distractingly shaky especially e.g. after changing focus. I have considered switching to the double boom arm to fix this but I haven't found a new stand available by itself for a reasonable price.However, I find that the articulating arm only needs a little bit of support to become very stable. Currently I am using a flexible GoPro stand (https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Kupton-Adjustable-Gooseneck-19-Section/dp/B075WTT5Y9/ref=sr_1_15) that I already had lying around to clamp onto the articulating arm and connect it with the bench below. That's only slightly inconvenient and it fixes the wobble problem for me.