Stylus examination

62vauxhall

62vauxhall

Veteran and General Yakker
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Southwest Kootenays BC
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No such things as bad days, just bad moments
Just wondering if anyone does a visual exam of their styli and if so, what are you using?

I bought one of those ultra cheap (under 10 bucks I think) so called 100X magnification "pocket microscopes" with the built in light. Calling it a piece of crap is complimentary. I also have a very old magnifier that may have been for coin or stamp collectors. It doesn't say what power it is but I guess 6X to 10X so not a lot. I saw at IA something Gord had connected to a computer an that looked ideal.

Anyone use something cheap & cheerful? Old kid's stage microscope perhaps ?
 
I use a binocular dissecting microscope, but it doesn't have quite enough power - good optics though.
 
After starting this thread (no surprise there) I realized what I'd seen at IA was a USB microscope. I came across a used one once that was basically for kids to use but didn't see much value in having it.

After just now checking CL, there are a couple of vendors selling some for $60. Also called Lee's Electroncs - a local shop. They have one good for (they say) up to 500X for $50 that I'm going to check out this weekend. Said what I wanted it for and was told that lot are bought to check circuit boards but he didn't know if any were used for checking needles.

Might be worth the gamble and may find other stuff to use it for.
 
Maybe they even have a demo unit. It would be awesome to see the stuff on a screen in real time - I know, having squinted into microscopes for many years.
 
62vauxhall said:
After starting this thread (no surprise there) I realized what I'd seen at IA was a USB microscope. I came across a used one once that was basically for kids to use but didn't see much value in having it.

After just now checking CL, there are a couple of vendors selling some for $60. Also called Lee's Electroncs - a local shop. They have one good for (they say) up to 500X for $50 that I'm going to check out this weekend. Said what I wanted it for and was told that lot are bought to check circuit boards but he didn't know if any were used for checking needles.

Might be worth the gamble and may find other stuff to use it for.
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They are quite good, we use them at work for inspecting mechanical items that are hard to get into and see properly without this scope. Cheap and quite good.
 
Just thinking of getting one myself. If not mistaken I've seen them for $20-30. I think it would work with an IPad?
 
I've always sweet talked the sales person at the jewelry store to check mine, not sure of the power used but, it showed every bit of wear and an amazing amount of grudge as well :sad7:

It's about time for mine to have a check up, thanks for bringing this up!!
 
drummergrl said:
If anyone buys this (or something else that works well for this inexpensive) give us a report.
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That was my my plan for last Sayurday as I dont't normally work weekends but was needed that day. I'll take the drive to at least have a look at a USB microscope this upcoming Saturday and if not an utter piece of junk, will buy one and post how well I think it works.
 
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