Different bases on Amscope microscope  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 06:38:40 pm
content: Hi all.I want to buy a double boom stand for my microscope, I notice there appears to be two different designs for the bases.Anyone got experience of both (or either for that matter)Both are exactly the same price, both are from Amscope (one from their website, one from their Amazon store)Personally I prefer the all flat one, but want to hear peoples experience with it.Reason I’m upgrading from the single arm is I want to be able to easily move it out of the way when not in use etc.Thanks

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 08:16:35 pm
content: I would go for the bottom one and turn the base around. You really want as big a 'throat depth' as you can so that you can get as far across a big board as possible. With the microscope pushed back out of the way, that space at the rear is wasted anyway. Add extra ballast to the base if necessary.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 08:18:56 pm
content: While true, wouldn’t it tip over the other way around?

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 08:30:47 pm
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on April 20, 2024, 08:18:56 pmThe second one looks like a counter-weighted stand. Turning it around would be like shifting the weight from the microscope's end to the other end of a see saw. (A good thing, I would think.)EDIT: The tell is the fingered-arc off the right which would increase the horizontal clearance to a microscope and its specimen further off to the right. (My ideas are coming out a bit slow – it is getting late.)

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 08:34:57 pm
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on April 20, 2024, 08:18:56 pmI don't know, it depends how much solid there is in that casting [Edit: as jfiresto says, it looks counterweighted]. I have an old Meiji and I use it that way round. That's why I said add extra ballast if necessary though.I suppose you could do the same with the flat base too (adding alotof ballast). It would give an even deeper throat and probably more sideways stability, but at the expense of taking up a wider bench footprint.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 08:43:10 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on April 20, 2024, 08:34:57 pmCompletely missed that when I first read your comment, sorry.If it’s anything like my single boom stand, it’s very heavy. Mind you, even with it the normal (as in the pics ) way around, when fully extended I could almost blow on the microscope and it will tip. Adding some sort of ballast is easily done.My current single boom weighs 40 lbsBoth of the Double boom stands weigh the same, 50 lbsThe only reason I prefer the first pic is that with a large flat base, I can easily store other things on it

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2024, 05:41:19 am
content: As someone who rightly fears tipping over a microscope, I think Amscope (or their CM) made a couple possibly grievous errors with the second stand.The first is not putting their brand name in large letters on the rear counterweight. Reading that would not only stroke the advertising folk like contented cats, it would make clear when the arm is the wrong way around. The second is not having a key and cradle on the rear shaft block and vertical shaft stop/safety ring: to limit the horizontal swing to, say, ±45 degrees.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 22, 2024, 09:34:12 pm
content: Was changing my mind and thinking of getting the one you all recommended.Today Amscope have sent me an Earth Week 15% off site wide deal.Mind you, Amscope as a company and after sales support have some really bad reviews on the web, so I’m wondering whether to buy from Amazon as Amazon UK will take anything back with virtually zero hassle.Still personally think that £284.99 for a stand is overpriced but it’s no cheaper (after postage) anywhere else.I’m currently putting together a new (and hopefully uncramped) lab in our spare room, and the ability to quickly move the microscope out of the way is going to make a huge difference, so even if I think it’s overpriced for what it is, if it helps me as much as I’m hoping it will, my wife will buy it for my birthdayIt’s amazing how a few things can really get in the way.My desk lamp was like the first pic, the base was very large, fixed that by buying a £10 desk clamp from Amazon (last pic)One of the biggest pains is my hot air station, really wished the pipe came out on the right, not the left (second pic) but while it works perfectly for my use, wherever I put it, the hose always seems to manage to get in the way.Last pic is of my new lab in its unfinished state, I’m hoping I can simply slide the microscope to the left (or diagonally to the left) when not in use

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2024, 09:47:50 pm
content: The second stand will tip over if its backwards and boom is fully extended yes. But I would clamp or screw the base to secure it to your desk. Then the second more compact one is preferred since it takes up less space.$284 is a bit high for the stand alone, you can usually get the stand + microscope for ~$400 or less. But looks like you have the microscope already.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2024, 03:30:59 pm
content: My vote would also be for a microscope stand that clamps on to the back of the table. Your microscope slides onto a 20mm carrier post? That is not an uncommon size, so I wonder if you can find a higher quality stand – if you want or need that – new or used, perhaps (just guessing) from Meiji Techno? Wild Heerbrugg started with 20mm, but switched to 25 in the 1970s, another common size. Perhaps you could fashion or adapt a 20mm post+coupler to a stand you might find.Here is one I fashioned to slide on to an otherwise complete boom stand. I made it using DIN standard parts, a tapped-to-order hardened shaft, and then not much more than a drill press:

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2024, 03:47:58 pm
content: You want an articulating boom. Those fixed stands suck.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 23, 2024, 03:57:13 pm
content: There’s a few YouTube vids saying to avoid the articulating ones at all costsFor examplehttps://youtu.be/dFdrTsDIw24?feature=shared

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2024, 05:15:12 pm
content: I would youreallylike to know what the microscope will be used for, before I would include or exclude a type of stand. I would also like to know how representative of its type, a particular example might be. I know a couple physicians who are quite happy with their articulated stands which makes me wonder if getting one right takes some care and a fair bit of money.You probably noticed as that youtuber talked and played with the microscope, that his "Thor's Hammer", double-arm boom stand was wiggling in its base. Perhaps he has not used it for something, to notice or to experience a deal breaker.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 23, 2024, 08:45:30 pm
content: I’m just using it for examining circuit boards and smd soldering etc. Only as a hobby, fixing the odd friends phone etc.My current stand isn’t exactly bad, it just gets in the way when not in use.From what I’ve seen on the web, with the double boom, I can have the stand to the left of me and easily slide it out when needed, sort of like in this pic (although he has it on the right).I had serious health problems last year, had entire stomach removed due to cancer (am now cancer free yay) then 3 days after being discharged, one of my lungs collapsed and they couldn’t get it to re inflate and I also got sepsis at the same time. Following an emergency op, 12 days in intensive care and another 18 days in hospital, I was finally well enough to go home again.That was 6 months ago and it takes up to 12 months to recover from my original op, yet alone my lung problems. Been told that I will have chronic pain in my lungs for life. Standing, lifting anything slightly heavy, coughing etc causes me severe pain, I’m already taking a silly amount of tablets a day plus fentanyl patch plus oral morphine, and that’s to cope with every day pain, not the worse pain I get from coughing, lifting, standing etc,Only reason I’m telling you this is, I’m trying to explain what I’m trying to do. As I can’t stand for very long, I can’t lift anything heavy (by heavy I mean a bag of groceries/shopping which is a lot lighter than my microscope) my wife (or I phone friends) has to move things where I want them. I simply can’t do it. This is why I’m now allowed to set up my lab in the spare room, as it gives me a bit more space to hopefully have everything laid out in a way where I don’t have to need constant help needing anything heavy moved.If I use my current stand, as it’s only one arm, as soon as I loosen it to push it back, it also rotates, and it was always a struggle/pain to get it back level before I had my health problems. I simply couldn’t do it now, hence looking into the double boom option.I also must now keep fumes away from my lungs hence also need room for a fume extractor, which I will have coming up the back (bench is 2.5 inches or approx 65mm away from the wall) hence want the microscope to the left.Building my own fume extractor very similar to the below link. Have the two boxes and the fans arriving tomorrow. I haven’t decided yet how to do the actual filters, the way he did it in the vid seems a little clumsy to me, still thinking about that one. Will probably have it connected to a foot switch so I can turn it on and off while soldering.https://youtu.be/JdrFsuAcm48?si=uBxvxBnlhS7Y6_Q4Edit, just had a response from Amscope saying they don’t know why there’s two different pictures as they only do one base, they sent me the pdf of the manual to show me the correct stand, and said the website is the correct pic, they don’t know why it’s wrong on Amazon.However, the manual they sent me had the smaller stand like the ones on Amazon and not like the ones on their website, so I’m none the wiser lol.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2024, 08:56:30 pm
content: I wouldn't bother with a foot switch. Power sensing outlet that turns on when the soldering iron is on costs maybe $10 and is super straightforward. You'll never forget to turn it on or off.Be aware with the boom arm to adjust up/down beyond the focusing rack range, you'll have to lift the weight of the microscope head and the arm, which is quite heavy.But if you can get it setup where it is focused at desk level, that might be good enough for 99% of stuff.To avoid that you could use a gas spring style arm, but, most people don't like those (more shake).

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 08:13:20 am
content: I wonder if a surplus medical microscope stand (or its upper bits) might be the ticket, something likethis onefor the attached microscope. Perhaps the next time you are in for test or procedure you can find someone who will let you try one: to judge its ergonomics and maximum useful magnification.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 08:38:52 am
content: I have one very similar to the 2nd one, if not the same.Keep in mine if you turn the base around (so the majority of the base sticks out the back) then it is 1 hair away from toppling over when the microscope (with cam) is extended all the way out.For me this wasn't an issue, I have my thermaltronics soldering station sitting on the rear part of the stand. It adds lots of weight and totally fixes that issue.But it's a thing to be aware of.You can also flip around the bit that holds the microscope so the whole microscope sits higher or lower. Then adjust the bar higher or lower as needed.I find this gave me a better setup with the bar higher up and the microscope at a good height for 0.5 barlow config.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 11:06:39 am
content: You may need this info at some point in the near future:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/amscope-double-boom-replacement-bearings/

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 03:16:58 pm
content: Many thanks everyone.I’ve ordered the double boom direct from Amscope as this week they have a 15% off deal, so it’s cost me £242 delivered.I queried again about which base I would get, they responded with————————It is confirmed by our product manager: our website is the correct image. The pictures in Amazon must be updated.Thank you for pointing that out.Feel free to contact us again any time for further assistance.————————Their website has the larger flat base as shown in the first pic of my OP. So they must have changed the design, mind you, who wants to place bets that when it arrives, it’s like the second pic lol.That’s interesting voltsandjolts, hopefully they have improved things, but I’ve bookmarked it just in case.

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 09:54:09 pm
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on April 23, 2024, 03:57:13 pmRight next to the YouTube vids saying that COVID-19 vaccines will improve your 5G reception, the Apollo landings were filmed by Stanley Kubrick, Donald Trump should be re-elected as President, and steak tastes best when marinated in used motor oil.

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 25, 2024, 09:13:30 am
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on April 23, 2024, 03:57:13 pmThe articulating ones are perfectly fine so long as you don't use a camera as the vibrations are easily seen.The double boom type is certainly the best though.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2024, 11:57:59 am
content: Yes articulating ones have serious vibration issues.Which is obvious, you have a heavy weight at the end of a long arm with multiple joints.Any time you bump them the microscope shakes for ages.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2024, 12:01:32 pm
content: A nice thing to do with the double boom arm stands, is get a flexible hose around 7cm diameter and attach it at the back rear of where the microscope head is.Run the hose back to your fume extractor, which are often dual port anyway so you have a spare port.It works great to have a fume extractor fixed mounted to the back of the microscope wherever you move it to

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2024, 09:03:05 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on April 25, 2024, 11:57:59 amSo don't do that.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2024, 09:14:26 pm
content: Quote from: KE5FX on April 25, 2024, 09:03:05 pmThe trouble is you bump it every time you touch your face to the objectives.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2024, 09:48:53 pm
content: Objectives or do mean oculars? If oculars, what about a pair of modern, high eyepoint oculars?

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2024, 11:40:21 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on April 25, 2024, 09:14:26 pmNot an issue in real-life usage. At higher powers, sure. But for SMD work?! C'mon.Meanwhile, the ability to put the microscope exactly where you want it, instantly, at any height desired, with near-zero effort, as well as to swing it away completely when desired,isa game-changer.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2024, 07:02:26 am
content: Quote from: KE5FX on April 25, 2024, 11:40:21 pmIt is also not an issue with a critically damped or overdamped, articulated stand. I had a ear/nose/throat specialist demonstrate that to me, by checking an ear in just a few seconds. Good grief, could he fling his microscope.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 26, 2024, 11:19:28 am
content: I think a really really good articulating arm with decent damping would be much better than the double boom I’ve ordered, but i think it would be well over £1000. I don’t think Amscopes articulating arm would be up to the job.Amscope articulating arm that clamps on to the desk is £264 and doesn’t look that great to mehttps://amscope.co.uk/collections/microscope-parts-accessories/products/amscope-articulating-stand-w-post-clamp-and-focusing-rack-for-stereo-microscopesIf I want the same arm but on a base rather than clamping to the desk, it’s a whopping £517https://amscope.co.uk/collections/microscope-parts-accessories/products/amscope-articulating-arm-for-stereo-microscopes-with-cast-steel-base-plateI have an articulating arm on my 38” PC monitor, monitor weighs 9kg, stand says it does up to 49” and 15kg. It’s OK but not brilliant, amount of times I have to tighten the bolts, especially to stop the monitor tilting, it’s fine as I rarely move it, but would be useless if i repositioned it all the time. Sure it was a cheap stand, but while Amscope are 5 times the price, they actually look slightly worse designed than my monitor arm.If in a couple of years I find my double boom not good enough, I might look into getting a decent (not Amscope) articulating arm, but there’s no way I can spend that sort of money at the moment.Thanks

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2024, 05:54:23 pm
content: The arm itself is fine, but yes, that clamp is not great. I mounted mine with a couple of heavy carriage bolts:If I had clamped it to the edge of the workbench, rather than securing it directly to the surface where two benches are strapped together, it would probably be shaky enough to bother me, as the 'workbenches' are just folding tables. (It would also rip the edge off and fall to its death sooner or later.)Another disadvantage of the articulating boom is that you can't really parfocus the microscope, because it doesn't end up in the same horizontal plane every time you reposition it. That's probably my biggest complaint, but it is what it is. The advantages overcome the annoyances by a big margin.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 02, 2024, 06:19:29 pm
content: Stand has arrived from Germany.As you can see from pic, it does now come with the much larger flat stand that is very heavy.The vertical pillar attaches to the base by 3 bolts. I unpacked it and it shipped with the 3 bolts screwed into the vertical pillar.I unscrewed them with the supplied Allan key, a little stiff but that’s no bad thing.Then I turned the vertical pillar so that the 3 holes were at the bottom and rust powder fell out of the 3 holes.Attached is a pic of the 3 holes before I cleaned them, doesn’t look too bad but I’ve also attached a pic of the amount of cotton buds I use on just one of the holes.Looking at it, I think the bolts that they used had rusted a bit rather than the pillar. Pic below.Looking at the rest of the stand, everything looks great. It’s a shame they used cheap bolts for the pillar and also it must have got damp at some point?Anyway, I’ll assemble it tomorrow and see if I’ve got any stainless steel bolts that I can use instead.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 05:29:43 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on April 24, 2024, 11:06:39 amI think I might end up needing that link.Before I put the microscope on it glided back and forwards as smooth as it could possibly be, a slight touch and it would glide away.As soon as I put the microscope on, it no longer glided. It isn’t hard to push and pull but I can tell the microscope weight is causing it to slight grind on the bearings.I sprayed silicon oil on the bars and it now moves a lot easier but still nothing like before I added the microscope.Here’s a short vid on me moving it in and out after I had sprayed it with the silicon (ignore mess, lab still in process of being set up)https://youtu.be/gNCPHhj4AOY?si=6SLf6s_vIFaEFH7L

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2024, 06:51:04 am
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on May 02, 2024, 06:19:29 pmThis is not really my area, but from your photos and description, I tend to the notion that the manufacturer did not blow out the three holes after tapping them, and left to rust, a mixture of steel cuttings and water-diluted cutting oil.

author: Svgeesus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2024, 09:42:13 am
content: I have the non-flat one (but pale grey, not the black pictured). It seems very stable, and I regularly swing the head out of the way and back as needed.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2024, 06:12:29 pm
content: Hmm, noticed it sticking when raising up and down by knobs, had a look and it’s grinding,Can’t see what’s causing it.Pic of where it’s grinding and short YouTube showing it forcing microscope slightly outhttps://youtube.com/shorts/-eOdD8FNye0?si=rEpExCklQ-DT4Blj

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2024, 07:57:29 pm
content: Well that rubbing and mechanical play is annoying, especially on a new stand. Did the focus rack get knocked askew? Was there an issue in its manufacture or assembly?

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2024, 08:31:45 pm
content: Everything was extremely well packed, can’t fault that.I didn’t damage/drop/knock anything.I have the one from the single boom stand I originally had which looks identical (except colour). But really I expect more from a new stand at that price.Still setting my lab up (slow job due to health issues), only used the microscope 3 times, and when it got to where it’s catching/rubbing, at the time I was looking through the eyepieces so just thought it’s a bit stiff (was too busy concentrating on the pcb to put any thought into why it was sticking)I’ve sent pic and vid link to Amscope, also sent them the earlier pics where bolts were rusty.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2024, 06:29:59 am
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on May 17, 2024, 08:31:45 pmDid you send Amscope any pics of the rust inside the tapped holes, which I expect is where most of it is coming from?I have my own microscope mystery to distract me this weekend, an unused drawing tube that has an external mirror that looks like this (admittedly under "forensic" lighting):The seller and I are puzzling this one out.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2024, 08:09:28 am
content: Quote from: KE5FX on April 25, 2024, 11:40:21 pmIt's an issue when you want to both use the objectives and also take a photo/video.For just doing one, or just the other, it's fine. Or if you want to do both, just not at the same time it's fine.But as soon as you need both together the shaking becomes a serious issue.But I do agree with what someone else said, there is a very big difference between a generic china articulating arm that cost under $500 verses a professional articulating arm that costs multiple $1000's.Articulating arms are not something to cheap-out on if you need one.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2024, 09:07:41 am
content: Quote from: jfiresto on May 18, 2024, 06:29:59 amYes

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2024, 01:49:39 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on May 18, 2024, 08:09:28 amHonestly, 99% of the time a modern smartphone is all you need for photomicrography in SMT work. Don't buy a microscope to take photos or videos. You almost certainly don't need it for that purpose, and it will compromise everything else.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2024, 09:12:20 pm
content: Here’s Amscopes response.I’ve told them to rewatch the vid with the sound on, then they will hear it knocking.I also said that I will send two vids in the morning, the first hopefully showing better the gap opening up, and the second showing my old stand and how it didn’t open up etc.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 06:04:49 am
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on May 22, 2024, 09:12:20 pm[no response]Did something get lost there?In your videos, I might slowly run the focus rack until it bottoms, and then back, so that they can selectively time loop a cycle.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 06:47:00 am
content: Quote from: jfiresto on May 23, 2024, 06:04:49 amSorry.“ Thank you for bearing with us.According to our product manager, microscope damping grease is typically the best to use to ensure smooth operation of rack systems. It is a type of synthetic hydrocarbon grease. There are several on multiple marketplaces including Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084H9CDLJ”

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 07:35:46 am
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on May 23, 2024, 06:47:00 amThe PM knows his grease and, indeed, you might want to reapply some, perhaps 20 years from now. But I thought the stand is new. It is not always easy to convey the root of a problem and I think somehow it did not get through.Something you can try is to rotate the head 90°, so that it is horizontal, remove the focus tension (friction), and then feel the loose head moving back and forth. (Be careful and makes sure the stand is well clamped.)

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 10:58:47 am
content: I just sent them this—————I’ve got 3 very short vids.In the first vid, if you look at the area where red arrow is in this pic, you can clearly see how much the rubbing is causing the microscope to moveHere is the first vidhttps://youtube.com/shorts/wcS2_N9I6yo?si=AfR2G0NoXjQ56rcuIn the second video, you can see much clearer where it’s rubbing, you can also see small flecks of paint/metal dropping down.https://youtube.com/shorts/ubf9rk6va1M?si=zhS73v977ncQ7YOUFinally in the third vid you can see how this doesn’t happen on my old standhttps://youtu.be/3SKxdvrA20A?si=_UIBjsHVqe4QJOEQIf I look at the gap on my old stand, the gap seems wider than the gap on my new standBestPhilSent from my iPad

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 12:55:48 pm
content: Well, that is no good – but I do not need to tell you that.I have not yet owned a new microscope, but with the last one I got back from service, the loudest noise was the kneading of the damping grease, between the rack and pinion, until after some use, the grease got fully and evenly spread. I am sure the tech dosed it that way as there is little grease beyond the ends.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 09:00:19 pm
content: Seems like the toothed gear or toothed plate has some metal chunks or swarf stuck on it. Like between some teeth, so when it hits that point if forces the plate outwards.Can probably take that apart and fix it, not saying you should have to, they should replace it.but yeah, it looks fixable without much effort if they refuse to fix it. Just a matter of taking it apart and cleaning/filing, relubrication and putting back together.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 10:34:18 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on May 23, 2024, 09:00:19 pmYep, I doubt I’ll have any problem fixing it, can normally fix most things (if I did have a problem, I can use the one from my old stand), but as you say when spending £284 on a stand, I shouldn’t have to.Will see what they say tonight or Monday (from their email posting times, I think their support is in the USA)I will give an update when I receive one.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 05:32:22 pm
content: Today I decided to take it apart.Unfortunately the way it works is there’s a channel in both pieces that have ball bearings in, so there’s no way to adjust.Main casingSide view of piece that movesBack view of piece that moves6 ball bearings on each sideSo I decided the easiest solution is to simply file the main case.This worked really well, as you can see there’s now a nice gapMicroscope now works perfectlyhttps://youtube.com/shorts/Qh5HYXYp7uE?si=BjCToj-fEjxEBIWz

author: ironcurtain
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 10:16:16 am
content: I have personally chosen to drill a hole through the workbench (solid thick wood), so I am not using the base it came with for anything. The setup is very stable and saves a ton of space. You do need to do some measurements and adjustments to figure out the angles so you can rotate the microscope assembly away and then back to the right place where you can comfortably sit and rest your eyes at the right distance.Before doing this I considered getting one of the arms that can be bolted to the side of the workbench, but in the end that seemed more unstable and take too much space wherever it was bolted to.

author: HobGoblyn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 09:27:58 pm
content: Been offered 15% off their website store as compensation.Not after compensation, which is just as well as I have no desire to upgrade stand or scope etc in the foreseeable future (years).Still they said if I order anytime in the future, point them to their email and they will honour it.They communicated very well even though there was initial miss understanding.I wonder whether their scopes/stands are made specifically for Amscope or whether they simply stick their company name on exactly the same looking ones available elsewhere, sometimes for more, sometimes for 1/2 the price (such as Aliexpress until you add postage).I’d like to think they are made specifically to Amscopes specifications and the others are cheap clones, but after taking my stand apart, I’m not all that convinced.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 08:42:50 am
content: Quote from: HobGoblyn on May 29, 2024, 09:27:58 pmI am not sure it matters. From what I have read and heard, these things are built to a price, so that delivering more microscope than the customers requires just wastes money. For example, a CM might eliminate a little labor and allow some rust if that will not be an issue or noticeable within a product's five year warranty. Unfortunately, sometimes someone is too clever by half and makes a change that fails an implicit customer requirement – and the customer(s). I find it annoying when that happens as I never seem to recover my costs of addressing the resulting problem(s).FWIW, the price you quoted earlier is roughly half what you would pay for a somewhat larger, table-clamp, double-armed boom stand from Motic, a well known, Chinese brand that does not like to waste money. Some of that premium is for the name, but a significant portion is invested in the product.