> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ned Konz [SMTP:ned@BIKE-NOMAD.COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 6:17 AM
> To:   PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject:      [EE]: Keeping microscope clean while soldering?
>
> I just got (thanks to the miracle of eBay) a reasonably priced Bausch
> & Lomb Stereozoom 4 stereo microscope, which goes from 7x to 30x
> magnification.
>
> I am hoping to use it when assembling prototypes of surface mount
> boards; my ICs seem to be getting smaller while my focus distance is
> getting longer.
>
> But after getting it, I realized that soldering under it will probably
> result in gunking up the objective lens.
>
> The working distance on the scope is about 4 inches; a 0.5x objective
> lens would extend that to 6 inches. So soldering under it would
> probably subject the objective lenses to smoke, rosin, etc.
>
> There are (apparently) objective lens shields for this scope, but I
> haven't seen one yet.
>
> I can and will provide some kind of fume ventilation, but I can't
> guarantee that the lenses won't get spattered.
>
> Do any of you solder under a microscope? If so, how do you keep the
> crud off it?
>
We have a couple of microscopes in our lab that are in use every day and
have been there for the past few years and there is no noticeable buildup of
crud.  An extraction system will definately help your lungs if nothing else
:o)

Mike


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