If I set up an electronic bench again, would look at the various 'video microscope' options to see if something would work good and be affordable. After the cataract operation, it is a lot of trouble adjusting eyeglasses and distance of an illuminated magnifier to keep things in focus. A high-F-ratio video microscope (pretty good depth of field) that one could view on a "perfect eye-focus placed" video monitor, might make long hours at a surface-mount repair bench more tolerable.

Also buy some specialized surface mount soldering tools. Doubtful that the old 25 watt temp-controlled Weller would really cut it. Haven't shopped to see what is available nowadays. Have seen some folk replace surface mount components with an ordinary solder iron, but dunno if I could develop the skill. Sometimes fancy tools can be "skill substitutes" to a certain degree. A really good guitar won't turn a klutz into an expert guitarist, but on the other hand a really good guitar is certainly easier to play than an ole $30 Woolworth boat-oar <g>.

James Chandler Jr
http://www.errnum.com/