SMT Soldering Microscope
David Betz
Posts: 14,511
Does anyone have a recommendation for a microscope for use in soldering SMT parts? I found an old discussion when I did a search but none of the links worked anymore. I found one web article that suggested a $800 scope by AmScope. This looks nice but is it overkill?
https://www.amscope.com/3-5x-90x-trinocular-stereo-microscope-with-4-zone-144-led-ring-light-10mp-camera.html
https://www.amscope.com/3-5x-90x-trinocular-stereo-microscope-with-4-zone-144-led-ring-light-10mp-camera.html
Comments
(but it is HALF PRICE....)
So, yes, IMO, an $800 microscope would be overkill.
-Phil
I used to useone of thesebut found the loupe much better.
Seriously, thanks for the advice.
Obvious by my profile pic - this is what I use as well!
Yes, those stereo microscopes are pricey, but they are built to last being mostly metal.
On work microscopes the main problem I've had are faulty eyepieces, but once the magnifier head locking screw was missing.
Sometimes companies toss equipment that they don't need so I would suggest visiting medical device companies.
This is very funny I had to laugh
I own a pair of US Surgical binocular loupes (2.5x) I picked up from a dental student on fleabay, I think they were around $100 when I got them. They are the flip up type and I (and my dentist) would highly recommend them over the lens mounted version. My dentists complaint is that he has to try to look around them when he needs to do anything outside the field of view. Mine, just flip up out of the way and drop right back into place to continue. There are quite a wide selection on fleabay, YMMV. Some used are probably good deals while some cheapies look like knockoff junk.
But installed it up side down because I have a shelf above my work table and with it set up this way it is still in the focus range of this camera the reason I did this is because the table for camera to do your work is very small
and very inconvenient to use that way
What version is it the LED light bulb or the fluorescent light bulb version
If it is the LED light bulb version how do you like using it and is it bright enough to use it for circuit board repairs
I have a pair of these and they are invaluable for providing me the ability to see small details/items.
The glasses can be setup with your eyeglass prescription or just simple reading magnifications and have a very powerful LED light.
They are a bit pricey, but are worth it. Check out their videos.
I order one of these items: imicro-q2-an-800x-fingertip-microscope.
I shouldn't have any problems taking picture then.
Mike
https://smile.amazon.com/Headband-Magnifier-Head-Mounted-Binocular-Magnification-1-5X/dp/B07M7H3P95/ref=pd_ybh_a_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RVCRCD4VQHZMG79VRVF3
https://ebay.com/itm/20X-Magnifying-Magnifier-Glasses-Magnifaction-Jeweler-Watch-Repair-LED-Light-NEW/303605327167?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid%3D7b907e7f6b504ab493895e7329372a18%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D283797011464%26itm%3D303605327167%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851
Mine are more like the one you linked but mine have clear glass, no light (which I think would be an advantage). Mine are probably 40 years old tho. You can fold them up but I just take them off.
Here I just rest the board on a sheet of paper and bent up one edge to act as the diffuser and lay an LED lamp on the other side of it. Now my phone switched to super-macro automatically but the main thing is to get close but not too close that it can't focus. If it's in focus you can always zoom in digitally (after it's taken) and still get a clear picture. I just open Google photos on my PC and the pictures I take automatically pop up there as well since the phone backs up to the cloud.
Here are some quick first and unedited shots including my "SMD microscope" that I made out of a +3 reading glass and a lens and a craft stick and some copper wire. I can move the lens in and out and up or down to suit.
BTW, microscopes are terrible for depth of field but you need to see the whole 3D shape clear and focused. That's why a phone with a small sensor is better for macros and you can also adjust the F-stop to get less light but a greater depth of field etc. I didn't do that here though.
Many years ago I bought a binocular student 'scope at an auction at a UC Berkeley surplus warehouse. It is one of the best investments ever (of ~$150). The eyepiece is 10x and the objective is switchable from 0.75x to 3x. It's easiest to work using wider field of view of 7.5x or 10x, but the 30x is good for zooming into the spot in question, to see that hairline short circuit or that cold solder gap.
That one is for big boards but they make another version that is perfect for small boards such as the one on the scope.
Definitely worth the money as they are built to last.
I normally have pcbs on mini panels and use the panel edges to clip to.
btw, I do have one of those panavises but I never use it anymore. Then again, I used to have those pcb assembly racks where you slide pcbs into the rails and clipped the sponge backed cover over the components to keep them in place and you flipped the assembly rack clip and solder the "solder" side (the component side is the solder side now!).
EDIT: I brought my "smd assembly station" to the kitchen table and took a photo.