USB Microscope Stylus Inspection

jim 249

Hi All; I switched computers and the results were much better. The first computer was a pent 3. I next used my laptop and it worked much better. If someone could tell me how to post pictures in a message than I will post them this evening. Off to mow my pasture for now.

madmax

Mine is on its way, I'm glad it got better with your computer change.

vmaxer

jim 249 wrote: »

Hi All; I switched computers and the results were much better. The first computer was a pent 3. I next used my laptop and it worked much better. If someone could tell me how to post pictures in a message than I will post them this evening. Off to mow my pasture for now.

I sent you a PM.

thsmith

OP, make sure your files are JPG. Post a message and go advanced and you will see a paper clip, slect that and select the files you want to upload then select upload.

madmax

I got mine set up last night. Impressive instrument! Its sitting so that I get a nice image whenever the tone arm is parked. I was disgusted at what the bottom of my cart looked like so I guess I'll have to dust it off. Very cool find, I recommend.
madmax

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

I got mine set up last night. Impressive instrument! Its sitting so that I get a nice image whenever the tone arm is parked. I was disgusted at what the bottom of my cart looked like so I guess I'll have to dust it off. Very cool find, I recommend.
madmax

Chuck you know me, do I want one?;)

madmax

hearingimpared wrote: »

Chuck you know me, do I want one?;)

Actually, as I posted that pic I was thinking "hearingimpared is gonna want one of these". Seriously.

I may pick one up for work (looking at surface mount components) after seeing how well it works. It is better than the PCB microscopes we use around here.
madmax

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

Actually, as I posted that pic I was thinking "hearingimpared is gonna want one of these". Seriously.

I may pick one up for work (looking at surface mount components) after seeing how well it works. It is better than the PCB microscopes we use around here.
madmax

Thanks you Sir!:)

madmax

The underside of my cart was embarasing. I thought I was going to puke when I saw it.

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

The underside of my cart was embarasing. I thought I was going to puke when I saw it.

If you move your Onzow back a bit so that the underside of your cartridge and cantilever touch the top of the bubble, it will remove the debris. You may have to do it few times to get the best results. That's how I keep my cartridge underbelly and cantilever clean. I do it after each side of and LP is played.

inspiredsports

A very cool idea. I'm sure USB microscopes will get better, cheaper and better suited to inspecting stylii as time goes on.

madmax

hearingimpared wrote: »

If you move your Onzow back a bit so that the underside of your cartridge and cantilever touch the top of the bubble, it will remove the debris. You may have to do it few times to get the best results. That's how I keep my cartridge underbelly and cantilever clean. I do it after each side of and LP is played.

Never thought of that! That will get the outlying dirt off. The whole underneath is open and all the parts in there are covered with tiny flakes of something. I tried a stiff blow of air and they didn't move. I'm not one for cleanliness unless it helps something funtion better given the ease of damage. I'm not sure what to do about it. Keep in mind I can't see any of this when not using the microscope so it probably doesn't matter anyway.

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

Never thought of that! That will get the outlying dirt off. The whole underneath is open and all the parts in there are covered with tiny flakes of something. I tried a stiff blow of air and they didn't move. I'm not one for cleanliness unless it helps something funtion better given the ease of damage. I'm not sure what to do about it. Keep in mind I can't see any of this when not using the microscope so it probably doesn't matter anyway.

I think if dirt was as issue there the designer would have made the proper adjustments to keep it out. I there any way to contact the manufacturer about this?

jim 249

Madmax; How did you attach that thumbnail to your post? Glad to see you got one of those cool toys! I think the video card plays a very important role for getting a good picture image. Please post a pic of your cartridge taken with the scope.

madmax

jim 249 wrote: »

Madmax; How did you attach that thumbnail to your post? Glad to see you got one of those cool toys! I think the video card plays a very important role for getting a good picture image. Please post a pic of your cartridge taken with the scope.

I'll post a pic later, its on my other hard drive at home.

To post a pic here click "post new reply", not "quick reply", and post your message. Go down to "Additional Options" below the window you are typing in and click "Manage Attachments". Click "Browse" and find the pic on your hard drive. Click "Upload". After a few seconds you will see it is uploaded. Click "Close this Window". That brings you back to your message. Click "Submit Reply".

madmax

jim 249

Thanks Madmax for the info!!!!!!!!!!!!

thsmith

Can any of you with the USB microscope post a pic of the stylus mounted on the tone arm ?

scope positioned on the side like the pic above on post 36.

jim 249

Here are some new pictures of a couple of old needles I have gotten over the years and my setup for looking them. The first is a Denon cartridge that I got with a used Denon turntable from fleabay. I don't think it was tried out but just taken off and saved. The second is after one cleaning with alcohol and a qtip. The third was a qtip soaked in alcohol and placed on the needle end for about a half an hour. It looks better but is still grunged out. The fourth picture is a Ortofon M20E that was cleaned with alcohol. In the pictures you can see two bright spots showing the needle wear by the tip. Neither one looks worn out yet. Anyone have any ideas on how to get that aged crud off the stylus tip? I certainly won't use a used cartridge now without looking at it first with the usb microscope! Thanks for any help!:D

thsmith

This is great jim. Have you tried using the scope with cart mounted on tonearm and get an upclose pic from the side ?

Since I have a fixed headshell I would like to see if the USB scope can provide a good view mounted.

Thanks again.

TS

jim 249

Hi th; Iwill try to try that out in the next few days and will post an udate to this thread.

hearingimpared

jim 249 wrote: »

Here are some new pictures of a couple of old needles I have gotten over the years and my setup for looking them. The first is a Denon cartridge that I got with a used Denon turntable from fleabay. I don't think it was tried out but just taken off and saved. The second is after one cleaning with alcohol and a qtip. The third was a qtip soaked in alcohol and placed on the needle end for about a half an hour. It looks better but is still grunged out. The fourth picture is a Ortofon M20E that was cleaned with alcohol. In the pictures you can see two bright spots showing the needle wear by the tip. Neither one looks worn out yet. Anyone have any ideas on how to get that aged crud off the stylus tip? I certainly won't use a used cartridge now without looking at it first with the usb microscope! Thanks for any help!:D

Very cool Jim. As far as the welded on crude goes, I suggest a belt sander!:eek::D Seriously, if you don't want to invest in an Onzow Zerodust then buy a plain Mr. Clean Magic eraser and try that.