[time-nuts] Working with SMT parts.

[Bob Darlington]

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 at 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 <
> shalimr9 at 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 <brooke at 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.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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