I've got a great boom Zeiss microscope bought at an estate sale. Right Place, Right Time.
Before that, I generally used a video camera with some extension tubes, a USB video capture dongle, and a spare monitor I keep on the workbench. The monitor and camera are connected with extension cables to the computer across the room. (ok, 180degree chair swivel way :) ) Getting the lighting right is key. Light ring is good or light close to on axis helps. Bob On Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 5:06 PM, Graham / KE9H <ke9h.gra...@gmail.com> wrote: > The best type of stereo microscope to use for SMT assembly is referred to > as an "Inspection Microscope." > Magnification greater than 10 is not needed or desirable for normal > assembly. > Something in the range of 5 to 10 works well. > A wide field of view and a good light source are desirable. > > Just as Brooke says, my "zoom" always stays on the lowest setting. (Same as > his, 0.7 times 10x = 7) > > --- Graham > > == > > On Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 1:57 PM, Brooke Clarke <bro...@pacific.net> wrote: > > > Hi Bob: > > > > I don't think it's so much the stereo microscope as the related > > equipment. I have a Bausch & Lomb StereoZoom 4 and the dial is always > at > > the lowest setting (0.7dial * 10X objective = 7 power). > > For another reason I got a Nikon SMZ-U microscope and discovered that > it's > > so tall that it can not be used for SMT work. > > http://www.prc68.com/I/NikonSMZ-U.html > > So an important parameter is is length from the eyepiece to the > > objective. If that get to be long then you can not easily use it. > > > > Using an arm type support is very desirable. These have a heavy metal > > base with an horizontal arm. You can swing the arm over whatever you're > > working one and easily move the scope up or down as needed. > > This all done while in a standard chair on a work bench/table. > > > > Although an old fashioned illuminator will work, see top photo: > > http://www.prc68.com/I/SMT.shtml#Mag > > A ring light is much more convenient (scroll down a little). > > > > Also the soldering iron tip to grip distance should be as short as you > can > > get. (1.5" = burned fingers, 0.5" should be better) > > > > -- > > Have Fun, > > > > Brooke Clarke > > http://www.PRC68.com > > http://www.end2partygovernment.com/2012Issues.html > > The lesser of evils is still evil. > > > > -------- Original Message -------- > > > >> 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/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/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/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.