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A toaster oven is good. If there's only a few components, hot air is quick and easy. A denser board with more stuff on it, an oven is far better. As you say, hot air is great for repairs.
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Soldering magnifying glass
- Thread starter nnam
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2019
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Back in the day did not need help for ht and pager work but not so much anymore.
We get new glasses every year so we will get "occupational" glasses.
That is the term to use.
You get seated at your bench and place your work as you would, ad get seated as you would.
Now measure distance from crown of nose to work and make a note.
When you get your eyes tested and they place the reading card on the rail ask about occupational glasses and tell them to place the card at your measured distance.
First they tune in the lenses.
Next, dial in the zoom.
Single vision or bifocals, a bifocal can be set for test equipment on the bench shelf on top and close work on bottom.
We make a pair specific to each bench, the electronics bench is optimized for the screens above, we borrow the clock bench ones for close up work.
Clock bench were made for working on Atmos, works great.
The down side is the depth of field is reduced as zoom is increased but it makes life much easier than optivisors.
Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
We get new glasses every year so we will get "occupational" glasses.
That is the term to use.
You get seated at your bench and place your work as you would, ad get seated as you would.
Now measure distance from crown of nose to work and make a note.
When you get your eyes tested and they place the reading card on the rail ask about occupational glasses and tell them to place the card at your measured distance.
First they tune in the lenses.
Next, dial in the zoom.
Single vision or bifocals, a bifocal can be set for test equipment on the bench shelf on top and close work on bottom.
We make a pair specific to each bench, the electronics bench is optimized for the screens above, we borrow the clock bench ones for close up work.
Clock bench were made for working on Atmos, works great.
The down side is the depth of field is reduced as zoom is increased but it makes life much easier than optivisors.
Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2015
- Messages
- 2,558
I have a lighted 10x on an arm and a headset lighted magnifier.
Both work well for soldering, with the “nod” going to the headset magnifier for freedom of movement and not have to worry about clearance under the desk mounted 10x.
Its often a bit of a challenge to fit the soldering iron under the 10x without interference, hence preference for headset if doing more than a quick touchup or quick component replacement..
Both work well for soldering, with the “nod” going to the headset magnifier for freedom of movement and not have to worry about clearance under the desk mounted 10x.
Its often a bit of a challenge to fit the soldering iron under the 10x without interference, hence preference for headset if doing more than a quick touchup or quick component replacement..
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Some system that gives you stereo vision is best, whether it's a stereomicroscope (which I use) or something you wear on your head. I tried using a USB monocular system and it was more frustrating than helpful.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2017
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- 2,138
There are several versions of optics for working with small devices. I don't do surface mount devices, my hands aren't steady enough. But I do do 1/10 inch through hole work. The most widely known is a 4 inch round "bench glass" with a fluorescent ring around it.
www.harborfreight.com
EDIT: The Northern one has an incandescent lamp behind, higher end units have a "Circline" lamp. END EDIT
They tend to be a little costly these days, but some alternatives do exist. Horrible Fright carries a smaller version, 3 inch I think, mounted to a weighted base. The lens is acrylic, maybe 2X, but has a spot lense that is double that. I modified the base to use a bench clamp from a larger version. The illustrated is suitable for bench or desk. They are much cheaper than the larger version.
www.harborfreight.com
www.harborfreight.com
Then there is a device called an "Opti-Visor". It is available from many sources, some good, some not so good, and some simply trash. Mostly they have acrylic lenses, some with several sets of varying strength to suit the work involved. I use one occasionally, but not often because I have problems with one eye.
Any of these will leave your hands free for soldering, or any other work that requires both hands. I have several examples of each, their use depending on what I am working on or with.
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Fluorescent Magnifying Lamp
Amazing deals on this Fluorescent Magnifying Lamp at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
They tend to be a little costly these days, but some alternatives do exist. Horrible Fright carries a smaller version, 3 inch I think, mounted to a weighted base. The lens is acrylic, maybe 2X, but has a spot lense that is double that. I modified the base to use a bench clamp from a larger version. The illustrated is suitable for bench or desk. They are much cheaper than the larger version.
Jumbo Helping Hands with LED Lights
Amazing deals on this Jumbo Helping Hands With Led Lights at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
Desktop Magnifying Lamp
Amazing deals on this Desktop Magnifying Lamp at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
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Book cameras are another option.
Here is some from ours, reference is this is a Atmosclock looking through a hole, maybe 1/16 diameter.
Gooseneck allows it to be placed where needed and can do real close for inspection or at distance for work.
Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
Here is some from ours, reference is this is a Atmosclock looking through a hole, maybe 1/16 diameter.
Gooseneck allows it to be placed where needed and can do real close for inspection or at distance for work.
Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2020
- Messages
- 1,773
I use a bench glass with a circuline bulb. Can't be beat.There are several versions of optics for working with small devices. I don't do surface mount devices, my hands aren't steady enough. But I do do 1/10 inch through hole work. The most widely known is a 4 inch round "bench glass" with a fluorescent ring around it.
EDIT: The Northern one has an incandescent lamp behind, higher end units have a "Circline" lamp. END EDITFluorescent Magnifying Lamp
Amazing deals on this Fluorescent Magnifying Lamp at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
They tend to be a little costly these days, but some alternatives do exist. Horrible Fright carries a smaller version, 3 inch I think, mounted to a weighted base. The lens is acrylic, maybe 2X, but has a spot lense that is double that. I modified the base to use a bench clamp from a larger version. The illustrated is suitable for bench or desk. They are much cheaper than the larger version.
Jumbo Helping Hands with LED Lights
Amazing deals on this Jumbo Helping Hands With Led Lights at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.Then there is a device called an "Opti-Visor". It is available from many sources, some good, some not so good, and some simply trash. Mostly they have acrylic lenses, some with several sets of varying strength to suit the work involved. I use one occasionally, but not often because I have problems with one eye.Desktop Magnifying Lamp
Amazing deals on this Desktop Magnifying Lamp at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
Any of these will leave your hands free for soldering, or any other work that requires both hands. I have several examples of each, their use depending on what I am working on or with.
.
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2014
- Messages
- 849
I once worked for a microwave / RF company. Each workstation on their production floor had a bench glass with a circular bulb. I use one at home. Every hobbyist should have one. I don't know about the HF model. I'd check the optics carefully before purchasing.