I use a Nikon and a Meiji that I picked up surplus on the cheap. Lighting matters. Fostec ring illuminators are okay, but I prefer something with gooseneck arms so I actually do have shadows. Light from a particular angle can help rather than nice uniform illumination.
#1 recommendation I have for a stereo microscope for soldering use is get one that can take a filter disc. In the very least put some saran wrap around the bottom. Condensing flux vapors make a mess of the optics over the years. #2 is recognizing you don't need all that much magnification to do the work. 50x is a lot of magnification. Way more than you need for 0402 parts. I've also found that brains are a pretty amazing PID controller. 10x magnification seems to result in 1/10th the hand shake. -Bob On Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 11:24 AM, Bob Albert via time-nuts < time-nuts@febo.com> wrote: > What are the important parameters regarding purchase of a stereo > microscope? I see some on ebay for around $50; are those good? > Bob > > > On Thursday, August 11, 2016 10:00 AM, Didier Juges < > shali...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > I concur. I have been using ExpressPCB extensively over the last 2 years > with great satisfaction now that it is possible to get Gerber files from > them. > I typically use the mini board pro service (3 bare boards, 2 sided with > solder mask and silk screen) for prototypes and then buy the Gerbers to > have production quantities done overseas. > The boards are of high quality and the service is very fast at a very > reasonable price. > The only gotcha with regard to Gerber files is that you can only buy > Gerbers for boards that you have actually bought from them, so the process > is to buy the prototypes, then if you are happy with those, buy the Gerbers > for that design. > > Didier KO4BB > > On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 3:06 PM, Brooke Clarke <bro...@pacific.net> wrote: > > > Hi: > > > > I've had good luck using any of the the ExpressPCB services that include > > solder mask with surface mount parts where the pitch is 0.05" (half > normal > > DIP) and hand soldering (requires stereo microscope). > > http://www.prc68.com/I/BTSG.shtml (battery top signal generator) > > http://www.prc68.com/I/Images/ICS525v1o.jpg > > > > http://www.prc68.com/I/SMT.shtml <http://www.prc68.com/I/SMT.shtml> > > > > -- > > Have Fun, > > > > Brooke Clarke > > http://www.PRC68.com > > http://www.end2partygovernment.com/2012Issues.html > > The lesser of evils is still evil. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/m > > ailman/listinfo/time-nuts > > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/ > mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/ > mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.