Abstract: A tweezer that is especially useful for testing and repair of electronic circuits includes a pair of resilient blades (14, 16) with rear ends (22) fixed at a mount (24) to a pair of dielectric plastic mounting blocks (110, 112) that are clamped together by a clamping tube (140) that can be slid on and off. Front portions of the blades are connected to a spacing adjuster (80) that includes a thumb wheel (86) that can be turned to adjust the separation of the front ends (20) of the blades. The tweezer can be used as a regular tweezer, and the blades can be used as independent electrical probes.

Abstract: A tweezer that is especially useful for testing and repair of electronic circuits includes a pair of resilient blades (14, 16) with rear ends (22) fixed at a mount (24) to a pair of dielectric plastic mounting blocks (110, 112) that are clamped together by a clamping tube (140) that can be slid on and off. Front portions of the blades are connected to a spacing adjuster (80) that includes a thumb wheel (86) that can be turned to adjust the separation of the front ends (20) of the blades. The tweezer can be used as a regular tweezer, and the blades can be used as independent electrical probes.

Abstract: A compact hand held suction cup type pickup tool is disclosed having a self contained, finger actuated vacuum pump that can be repeatedly cycled to maintain a very strong holding action for an indefinite period of time. The multicycling is achieved by automatic, unidirectional valving associated with the pump.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum or venturi effect pickup tool is disclosed having a body and a forwardly extending tubular member, which may be curved, carrying a rotatable pickup head on its forward end. A rotatable nozzle is carried by the forward portion of the body and an elastomeric tube connected to the nozzle and to the pickup head and extending loosely over the tubular member retains the pickup head to the tubular member and provides a rotational, positioning control of the pickup head by rotating the nozzle about its connection to the body of the tool.

Abstract: A hand held pickup tool is disclosed having a pickup head which may selectively operate as a suction cup for holding small parts or as a venturi effect lift device. For the suction cup mode the tool is supplied with a vacuum and in the venturi lift mode with a positive air flow. A pneumatic circuit is disclosed which includes a venturi vacuum generator operated by a source of shop compressed air. By a simple air switch, the operator may select whether the circuit provides vacuum to the pickup tool or whether the venturi generator is, effectively bypassed to supply a positive air flow to the tool. Various examples of pickup heads for the tool are disclosed which function selectively either as suction holders or venturi lift devices.

Abstract: An air filtering, fume collecting mechanism is disclosed in which the contaminated air is drawn by a fan through a filter element which spins transversely across the flow of air being drawn by the fan. The filter element may be a disc removeably mounted on the hub of the fan blade assembly or it may be shaped to function as the impeller itself.

Abstract: A soldering tip and heat accumulator therefor are disclosed in which the heat accumulator is essentially a hollow cylinder which is disposed over both a cylindrical heater and a major portion of the metal soldering tip. The accumulator is deeply slotted both from its rear and front ends whereby although before assembly it has radial clearance over both, when compressed during assembly by an outer retaining sleeve, the accumulator snugly engages both and provides a very high degree of thermal coupling between the heater and the soldering tip.

Abstract: A soldering tip is disclosed which fits loosely over a ceramic heater rod. The rear skirt of the tip is slotted into segments the rear edges of which are tapered rearwardly inwardly to be engaged by a forwardly opening conical surface on the front of a metallic sheath covering and supporting the rear portion of the ceramic rod. When the soldering tip is urged rearwardly in its assembly to the remainder of the soldering tool the segmented portions of the skirt are then pressed radially inwardly over the ceramic rod. The slots dividing the skirt into segments extend well forwardly thereof whereby the bending of the segments is forwardly of the tip of the ceramic rod where a thermocouple type temperature sensor may be disposed. Thus the skirt portions make good thermal contact with the rear and central portions of the ceramic rod but not with the temperature sensor front tip portion.

Abstract: An air filtering, fume collecting mechanism is disclosed in which the contaminated air is drawn by a fan through a filter element which spins transversely across the flow of air being drawn by the fan. The filter element may be a disc removeably mounted on the hub of the fan blade assembly or it may be shaped to function as the impeller itself.

Abstract: An electric soldering iron is disclosed in which a gas such as compressed air is electrically heated and then forced through a metallic soldering tip which is deeply slotted or finned for maximum heat transfer thereto. Soldering is then accomplished by applying the thusly heated tip to the workpiece. The slots may be formed to exhaust the hot gas forwardly over the tip to add heat to the workpiece and control the gaseous environment thereof; or the slots may be formed to exhaust the hot gas laterally or rearwardly to help in removing pollutants from the operator's environment.

Abstract: A solder-desolder system includes a hand held tool having an electrically heated soldering tip which is a hollow tube through which molten solder may be removed from the workpiece by a steady inward flow of air or by a strong impulse, vacuum stroke. Also supplied to the workpiece is a flow of solder melting hot gas which may be inert for improved soldering performance. The hot gas is directed over the heated soldering tube and may independently melt the solder or it may be utilized to preheat the work. In any event, the system provides in a compact hand held soldering tool a jet of hot air within which is a hot soldering tube tip within which a vacuum flow removes molten solder from the workpiece.A further aspect of the solder-desolder system is a trigger in the handle of the tool which selectively connects the hollow tube to an ambient air driven venturi to provide the vacuum stroke.

Abstract: A replaceable tip for a hand held vacuum stroke desoldering tool. The tip or nozzle element is retained in a bore, in the otherwise closed front end of the tool, by a rear retaining shoulder and a forward compressible skirt-like barb which when radially compressed permits the removal or insertion of the tip element.