exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Just when I thought it was safe, my microscope died. Annoyingly it was when I wanted to do an inspection of the Amiga's expansion port.

The 'scope itself works, but the LED ring used for illumination isn't illuminating much at all.

It looks like this little fella is responsible:


Annoyingly the part number is obscured by the damage, so I don't know what it is, though I'm thinking it's a mosfet. A teeny tiny mosfet.

So as I am currently replacing some of my older kit I'll get a better replacement and in the meantime I need to figure out an alternative way to get power to the LED ring.

Ho hum.

Does anybody have any recommendations for good quality PLCC chip pullers?

All I can ever seem to find are these:


And frankly they work for about 4 or 5 extractions and then the teeth start slipping having worn out. Then it's chuck them away and start again. Meh.

I bought these a few months ago - cheap NOS on ebay. I don't know whether they're still in production but I think CK are generally a well respected tool maker. Admittedly I've only used them a few times but they seem OK. EDIT:
Still available on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254836979511 ... R8rL_sGZZQ

chronicthehedgehog wrote: 03 Feb 2025 13:58 I bought these a few months ago - cheap NOS on ebay. I don't know whether they're still in production but I think CK are generally a well respected tool maker. Admittedly I've only used them a few times but they seem OK.
ck.jpg

EDIT:
Still available on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254836979511 ... R8rL_sGZZQ

Thanks I'll go have a look. I have ordered some cheap ones that'll do me for a bit, but I've ordered one of these as well now.

Yeah, those cheap chinese extractors are crap and they tend to scratch your chips...

Better to invest in a good brand.

HigashiJun wrote: 04 Feb 2025 01:07 Yeah, those cheap chinese extractors are crap and they tend to scratch your chips...

Better to invest in a good brand.

As @chronicthehedgehog said, CK are not a bad brand, so we'll see.

I have really nice DIP extractor tools, though my favourite is my little Wera chip lifter, but PLCC lifters just seem to rely on the fact that the tools are ultimately a consumable.

And you're right, they do scratch your chips.

A German brand should be good, so yes, worth trying.

chronicthehedgehog wrote: 03 Feb 2025 13:58 I bought these a few months ago - cheap NOS on ebay. I don't know whether they're still in production but I think CK are generally a well respected tool maker. Admittedly I've only used them a few times but they seem OK.
ck.jpg

EDIT:
Still available on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254836979511 ... R8rL_sGZZQ

These arrived today along with some cheaper ones I ordered as a back up.

The CK ones are way better and worth the money IMHO. The black plastic that you squeeze to extract IC's is much stiffer and the metal puller arms are more rigid and better formed too. Fat Agnus just pops out vertically, unlike the cheaper ones where you squeeze but it just isn't enough to pull the IC out.

I'd definitely recommend the C.K. pullers.

Also arrived today - my replacement microscope. A bit expensive at just under £100, but overall hugely better then my old £30 one with no LEDs because an unidentifiable component popped!!


The kit was actually pretty comprehensive, I received:

The camera
A microscope tube for focussing
An LED light ring that is separate but attaches to the focusing tube. This plugs direct into the mains.
A flexible arm and everything you need to mount it to the arm, and to mount the arm to the desk.
A USB cable, and HDMI cable and a PSU. The USB cable allows you to use it with a camera app on a PC if you wish.

The picture clarity is great and it should be a big help when I try to swap really tiny parts from a donor board to another Nintendo Switch. I had been putting it off due to a lack of magnification but there is no excuse now.

It even has a remote control :)

Also just in a spare Gotek which I will probably need to flash with FlashFloppy.

rubber_jonnie wrote: 06 Feb 2025 17:59

chronicthehedgehog wrote: 03 Feb 2025 13:58 I bought these a few months ago - cheap NOS on ebay. I don't know whether they're still in production but I think CK are generally a well respected tool maker. Admittedly I've only used them a few times but they seem OK.
ck.jpg

EDIT:
Still available on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254836979511 ... R8rL_sGZZQ

These arrived today along with some cheaper ones I ordered as a back up.

The CK ones are way better and worth the money IMHO. The black plastic that you squeeze to extract IC's is much stiffer and the metal puller arms are more rigid and better formed too. Fat Agnus just pops out vertically, unlike the cheaper ones where you squeeze but it just isn't enough to pull the IC out.

I'd definitely recommend the C.K. pullers.

Good to hear :dualthumbup: