tigerwoodKhorns Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Can anyone recommend a microscope for inspecting stylus's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Can anyone recommend a microscope for inspecting stylus's? Yes [6] Actually, low power, around 10X is adequate. However, I am not sure that you won't hear something before you see it. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldenough Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Can anyone recommend a microscope for inspecting stylus's? I can recommend this one....it won't get you to the atomic level .. but I can clearly see exactly what kind of dirt is on my stylus.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBryan Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 A strong light and a decent jeweler's loupe (20x or 30x) will show any dirt, damage and wear on a stylus - certainly enough to determine the condition. Its cheaper and you don't have to take the cartridge off the arm. Just a thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallMeJoe Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I purchased an Intel QX3 (Play) microscope off eBay for ~$15, shipped. It connects to a computer by USB cable, has 60x to 200x magnification, a decent depth of field and is reasonably easy to focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 There are microscopes made specifically for looking at 3D objects like a stylus. These "inspection microscopes" are often on Ebay at very reasonable prices. Notice the allowance for depth of object to be inspected in the below example. http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=505-1939&PMPXNO=953810&PARTPG=INLMK3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I just looked at my Stylus under a microscope and was surprised to find this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldenough Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I just looked at my Stylus under a microscope and was surprised to find this:Wow!! You really should clean your records more thoroughly.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I purchased an Intel QX3 (Play) microscope off eBay for ~$15, shipped. It connects to a computer by USB cable, has 60x to 200x magnification, a decent depth of field and is reasonably easy to focus.This is what I use as well. Works awesome IMO (although some will say that even at 200X it isnt enough) There's also a few websites that describe tweaks and improvements that can be made to the QX3, really a great "toy" LOL Here's an example (not focused real well but you get the idea) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 You need to clean it before looking at it, that thing is encrusted with gunk. Once it is clean you need to look straight down at it, not from the side. The groove contact portion will look like two grains of rice. When they get 'fat' looking, or lack symetry, it's worn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 You need to clean it before looking at it, that think is encrusted with gunk. Once it is clean you need to look straight down at it, not from the side. The groove contact portion will look like two grains of rice. When they get 'fat' looking, or lack symetry, it's worn out. You mean like this?? [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 (edited) That is the correct orientation for viewing. Note: It's dirty. It needs more magnification (I usually use about 400x). It's not properly mounted to the cantilever, it's rotated (if this was an expensive cartridge I would have sent it back to the manufacturer). The white elliptical spots in this photo are the actual contact area with the record. Moderate wear, 300hrs. Edited June 18, 2015 by djk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artarama Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Yikes! Is that what a dust bunny looks like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Yikes! Is that what a dust bunny looks like?No THIS is a dust bunny! [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artarama Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 OK! Lunch is over NOW!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Yikes! Is that what a dust bunny looks like?No THIS is a dust bunny! What is is crawling on and what is the magnification? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Yikes! Is that what a dust bunny looks like?No THIS is a dust bunny! What is is crawling on and what is the magnification? It's a "MEMS" (Micro-Electro Mechanical System) geartrain used in a highly integrated instrumentation system. Here's a "close-up" LOL WOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artarama Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Thats pretty Cool actually. I wonder if we could somehow trian them to do a little maintenance or trouble shooting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 How does the mite avoid getting his feet hung up in the little gears? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 He's mitey careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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