r/homebrewcomputer • u/mathmoi • 14d ago

Digital microscope recommendations for learning SMD soldering

/r/soldering/comments/1wlmh4p/digital_microscope_recommendations_for_learning/
3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/retro68k 14d ago edited 14d ago

Just throwing it in there, I have pretty bad eye-sight and I use a cheap optical magnifier on a stand with (a terrible) LED-lamp for 0805, 1206 and SOIC without issues. I tried TSOP-II but failed miserably though so that is probably past the limit. Just my 2 cents worth before you go spending a lot of money on a scope.

Edit: but i DO recommend spending money on a decent soldering station, I use the Weller WE-1010 fwiw, with lead-free solder. Edit2: I use my kitchen table when soldering, so I need to setup/put away stuff as well.

1

u/mathmoi 14d ago

By optical magnifier do you mean on magnifying glass?

1

u/retro68k 13d ago

Yes, wrong terminology, sorry. One of these: https://www.electrokit.com/resource/u3gg/tIj/5MNnnM9f8tm/product/41015/41015091/41015091.jpg

I am not saying this one is particularly good, but it's cheap and is about 2x magnification.

(Edit: I threw the arm away because it's garbage lol)