14 Jan
2017
14 Jan
'17
10:07 a.m.
On Jan 14, 2017, at 3:48 AM, Rob Jarratt
<robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com> wrote:
Has anyone had experience of using an item like this for soldering and PCB
inspection work?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmScope-Widefield-Binocular-Inspection-Microscope/d
p/B005C75IVM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8
...
At the moment I have one of these:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/22w-fluorescent-magnifying-craft-lamp-a29ff which
I find OK, but sometimes it gets in the way of the soldering iron and it
isn't that easy to move it to a position and have it actually stay there.
I've done two SMD assembly projects, both with 0603 size capacitors, and with sub-mm
lead pitch IC packages. Both have been done with magnifiers and bright lights. Also
liquid flux to go along with fine solder and a fine-tipped soldering iron (Weller WTCPS
with PTS tip).
Before the second project, I inherited a microscope like the one you showed, which I used
for inspection. And for a few bits of rework. I found it hard to get the hand-eye
coordination correct working through the microscope, so I didn't use it for assembly.
If I had to (even finer work) I'd have to learn that skill; obviously it can be done
but it didn't come naturally and so far it wasn't needed.
paul