which smd tweezers to buy - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:21:07 am
content: I hate making decisions , so which one would you gethttp://www.amazon.co.uk/HoldPeak-6000Counts-Resistor-Capacitor-Continuity/dp/B00T4B62NUhttp://aidetek.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code=MS8910

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:37:58 am
content: Neither....Get one of these:http://www.advancedevices.com/Dave reviewed them here:I have one of them and they work really great!

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:45:11 am
content: at those prices their not an option

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:47:51 am
content: Its worth noting that the ST3 Dave reviewed is no longer produced, being replaced by the Colibri, ST5 and ST5S, they're more compact, has a joystick control instead of jog switch and a slightly changed UI

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:48:12 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on July 14, 2015, 10:37:58 am+1But they're the old model like I've got.New units:http://www.advancedevices.com/st5s/Go to the Online order for pricing, get the cheaper basic one unless you need the range of tips.NZ member Mr B got a set very recently and we're waiting on his review.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:50:19 am
content: Quote from: Deathwish on July 14, 2015, 10:45:11 amReally, I'd replace mine in an instant.Tried the POS Mastech unit and it wasn't a patch on even my old ST3

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:56:12 am
content: Both will be a total PITA if you have to probe smaller footprint components. If you need to work under magnification, they will be virtually unusable. You need something that has a much more compact form factor and excellent ergonomics, especially for triggering a data hold function so you can read it after removing the probes from the board.Ideally, I'd want lightweight tweezer probes connected to a separate ordinary multimeter that speaks on command, triggered by a footswitch. Having to transfer your attention from the points you are probing to a display that is at best several inches away invariably increases the risk of slipups, and if the board is powered one unlucky slip of the probe is game over.Many years ago, Tandy used to do a speaking meter, but unfortunately it was somewhat slow to speak and you had to train yourself to dwell on the points you were probing for one second before pushing the 'speak' button. Now voice multimeters are extremely rare and I am not aware of any from a reputable manufacturer.If your multimeter has an external data logger interface you can probably cobble something together in software or using an Arduino or other MCU board.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 11:07:21 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 14, 2015, 10:56:12 amTried one have you Ian?No problem down to 0603 which is as small as I need.But the bonus is a pretty good LCR and ESR meter, show me a DMM that can offer that.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 12:22:43 pm
content: You could save a few bucks and get these:http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-Arrival-Mastech-MS8910-SMD-RC-Resistance-Tester-Capacitance-Meter-Auto-Scan/302103_515121590.htmlYep, they are the ones I've tried and gave away, sure they work OK just not the quality or have the feature set of the AD Smart Tweezers.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 02:53:56 pm
content: I have the Mastech and am very happy with it. Never seen the other one but the 5 picture from the top with the tips crossing each other doesn't look good.The only complain I have is that the top of the screen is to close the the plastic edge and is difficult to read in some lighting conditions. I also filed gently the tips to have mechanical match.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:38:30 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on July 14, 2015, 10:48:12 amI haven't had a lot of time to put them through a comprehensive set of tests.Just playing around, I am very impressed.Easy to use ergonomically - 0402 SMD is OK, 0603 is of course easier.Fast response even in full auto mode.Very good battery life considering the LiPo inside will be very small.At the moment my preference is the bent probes over the straight ones. It seems to make it a lot easier in a semi densely populated board.Only one minor niggle:The joystick navigation control is a little stiff and the shaft doesn't seem to be long enough - making it a bit fiddly.I may glue a 2 or 3 mm extension on top of it to enable better angular force.I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.And before anyone flames me about the price...That's fine, if they are beyond your budget, buy the Mastech ones.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 11:03:19 pm
content: Quote from: Mr.B on July 14, 2015, 10:38:30 pmMy ST3 has 3 x LR44 button cells and in the 8 years I've had mine I've just installed the 3rd set of replacement cells.Sure I don't use them every day and I've never bothered with any quality cells, just the cheapies from our $2 shops, some of which are probably some years old by now.It still amazes me how much functionality AD have shoe-horned into these things and for quick PCB component (SMD & TH) value checks they are still my first "reach for" bit of TE.Much faster than a DMM.All my ESR and LCR work is done with them too.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2015, 04:06:59 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 14, 2015, 10:56:12 amI have the Mastech kind and not problem whatsover with 0402 and working under a microscope (an ebay cheapo with not that great working distance).

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2015, 07:26:28 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on July 15, 2015, 05:49:17 am+1I paid a bit more than that, but you will not regret it.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 05:09:04 am
content: I think i am going to try something else first. It hit me last night, I have one of those cheap ESR testers of off ebay, I wonder what would happen if I got a pair of tweezers, broke them in half, rejoined them with a non conductive middle, then attached wires to each side, isolated the handles and plugged that into the meter..... add a third wire with a probe and you can test transistors too.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 05:27:45 am
content: Quote from: Deathwish on July 19, 2015, 05:09:04 amOr you can get these tweezers. Beware though, tips are of very low qualityhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/SMD-SMT-Chip-Test-Clip-Lead-Probe-Multimeter-Meter-Tweezer-Capacitor-Resistance-/261832881651?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf674b5f3As for your idea, if you are good with chip sticks, you don't even need to rejoin the two handles. ;-)The Mastech is a very good product for the price. If you get a Advanced Devices tweezers, be aware that the low end Colbiri doesn't test diodes and LEDs.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 05:41:49 am
content: i have a set of those tweezers, I just want something better without paying money I do not have or would rather spend on such as a HP bench meter / rigol ds1054z etc...

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 05:52:41 am
content: Quote from: zapta on July 19, 2015, 05:27:45 amhttp://www.probemaster.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_17&products_id=225Another alternative

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 06:13:11 am
content: Holy S*^&t Batman, talk about take the urine out of people, and 16 people seem to have bought them at that price too.... Ms8910 for £139 ...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smart-SMD-Tester-Test-Resistors-and-Capacitors-Tweezer-Style-Meter-/150994729358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2327fcb98e

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 06:53:16 am
content: Quote from: zapta on July 19, 2015, 05:27:45 amQuote from: RobertHolcombe on July 19, 2015, 05:52:41 amBoth of these are rubbish, the tips are flimsy and make poor contact, and they have very little structural rigidity so you will find the tips coming apart vertically, a pain in the ass.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 08:23:59 am
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on July 19, 2015, 06:53:16 amAnd your preferred SMD measurement device is?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 12:15:18 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on July 14, 2015, 10:45:11 amCheap soldering irons and tweezers are a waste of money anyway. There is just no way around other than spending some cash on good soldering gear (except for hot air).

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 01:26:17 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 19, 2015, 12:15:18 pmnot a point I would argue over IF you have an income, I had none for over 3 months until yesterday. Even then I cant afford to spend that much on none essential but merely desired kit.

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 04:15:50 pm
content: These seems to be listed under various manufacturers... Here is Tenma ST-5Chttp://uk.farnell.com/tenma/st-5c/smart-tweezer-lcr-14-8x2x1-5cm/dp/2444036Here is idealtek/colibri ST-5Chttp://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/lcr-meter-accessories/8418692/I assume they are the same?ST-5S is about twice the price, what are the main differences and are they worth the extra? Has anyone used both?

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 04:32:09 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 19, 2015, 12:15:18 pmI have the Mastech tweezers and they work great for me. I don't see a justification for myself to pay x10 for the Smart Tweezers.Affording X and needing X are two different things. What counts is what we build, not what tools we have.YMMV.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 04:43:51 pm
content: Quote from: Mark on July 19, 2015, 04:15:50 pmNo diode/led test, lower accuracy, no calibration certificate and possibly other differences.http://www.smarttweezers.ca/The ST-5S is overpriced IMO.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 05:29:18 pm
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on July 19, 2015, 06:53:16 amDo you have personal experience with the ProbeMaster tweezer probes?My experience with Probemaster has been that the quality of their products is very high.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 05:53:28 pm
content: Fluke has it's own versionhttp://www.tequipment.net/Fluke/TL2X4W-TWZ/?Source=googleshopping&gclid=CjwKEAjwla2tBRDY7YK9uKXe8R8SJAAhG6LGEGszvoci5HnqT6RNSSKR-fuwf55-hbkLW7U40Go7CBoC6sbw_wcB

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 06:02:08 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on July 19, 2015, 01:26:17 pmI see there is some confusion on my side about what SMD tweezers are (I thought a dual soldering iron). If you want to measure unmounted components then cheap probe tweezers will do. For mounted components I'd use 2 normal probes with sharp pins so you can have a different pressure and angle for each probe.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2015, 09:08:58 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on July 19, 2015, 04:32:09 pmAs I've stated I got a Mastech out of curiosity after having a set of ST3s for years and if you only want SMD tweezers for value checking etc the Mastech are OK.Quote from: zapta on July 19, 2015, 04:43:51 pmEven the ST3's were expensive years ago, but I'll add they've saved me from needing to buy an LCR AND an ESR meters, so with that in mind they are cheap IMHO.I value mine as much as a basic scope and along with a DMM, scope, rework station and PC it is my must have bit of kit on the bench.You'll all have watched Daves vid on the ST3, well I had mine a few years before Dave got one.Dave needs to update his vid, maybe with another on the ST-5S and different measurement techniques that he should have discovered by now.Just like any bit of kit it's not perfect but close to it IMO.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 01:26:25 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on July 19, 2015, 08:23:59 amI got a Mastech MS8910, ripped the guts out and soldered a set of leads to it.Quote from: mtdoc on July 19, 2015, 05:29:18 pmYeah, I bought a pair (actually two pairs) when I was buying a few sets of their normal probes because I wanted to see if they were any better than the chinese ones, they aren't.Mechanically they are quite similar to the fluke ones (though probably more flimsy) however they are only 2 wire (not 4 like te fluke) and those two wires are spindly as shit.

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 21, 2015, 11:25:08 am
content: I have the Mastech and the new Smart Tweezers, you'll have to pick the right one for you based on needs and price.But, here's a series of reviews covering them.Smart Tweezer Reviews

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2015, 04:07:09 am
content: Another vote for the Mastech MS8910. They might not be for the advanced user but for a first time user they seem to offer good value. One minor observation is that the device checks LEDs but I found it is helpful to put some red tape as a marking on the upper (as you read the display) arm to designate the upper arm as the positive. (For a while I couldn't figure out on a multi-color LED why it read the blue and green but not the red and then it dawned on me that I wasn't orienting the tongs properly for polarity :palm)

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2015, 04:11:38 am
content: I would be impressed with any of them if they had some sort of usb connector on for interfacing with a pc. I m a bit weird I know, but if I had a schematic with a list of parts and a checklist, then I could go through the list and download the values as read to my pc and get a full list of bad parts at a glance. does this make sense to anyone , it does to me.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2015, 04:17:25 am
content: Incidentaly I ordered a pair of mastrech ones, , if I find them of use then i will order the st5 ones when I have the cash spare again.