ANDONSTAR Digital Microscope & the SONY SRF-M35 Walkman Repair

Mark unboxes the latest digital UHD microscope from ANDONSTAR (AD246S-M), and puts it to work repairing a SONY SRF-M35 FM/AM Walkman.
The Andonstar Microscope range is available from here (and yes, this link helps me out too!):
andonstarmicro...

[@Toymortal]

These videos should be mandatory viewing at every engineering course up and down the land. We need a network of Mend It Marks countrywide, people who actually care about the work they do, less gadgets in landfill and more jobs for people with skills, pride and passion. I'm just glad you decided to share your work with the KZbin audience because if it catches a few young uns early enough - maybe the future isn't so bleak!

[@hernancoronel]

Sure, at what price?

[@mohammedisaa9952]

Just go on an electronics course, then like Mark you can go self employed..... you would need about 3k startup money for basic equipement, and then move on from there...... what you charge could be 10 to 20 pound an hour for labour, or put a "fixed price" in for jobs...... parts are parts and one normally adds 10% on to those costs to the customer...... Then you will need to advertise..... youtube being an excelent medium to "showcase" your skills...... I have tonnes of equipement that needs repairing, and the funds to have this done...... but to find ANYONE in the uk (besides Mark) that i could trust with my equipement is IMPOSSIBLE..... Ive had people swap the good parts out of my stuff for bad parts which have subsiquently broke down after taking an item to be repaired...... i now have to mark my stuf with a special pen that only shows up in flourecent light if parts have been swapped or stolen...... Some repairers have made my stuff worse or burnt/broken my stuff and given it me back more broke then when i gave to them.... "professionals" who loose screws or put wrong ones in that strip the threds of my casings..... I JUST WANT TO SCREAM TO FIND SOMEONE HONEST....for Gods sake 1 HONEST person in this world...... cant find one besides Mark.........

[@Toymortal]

@@mohammedisaa9952 Yes, finding techs who are both competent AND honest is no easy feat here in the UK. In the end I taught myself enough about basic electronics to be able to do most minor repairs myself, and to know roughly what is wrong with something if I have to give it to someone else to repair. It also means that if they start talking nonsense about what is likely wrong with a piece of gear, I've at least got a clue they are trying to rip me off. Really sucks though that this is the case.

[@andrewprettyquick2070]

couple of strañds of hair and a big vat. so I hear.

[@JamesEscobar]

Andonstar I am completely open to buying your products because you had the insight to interact with Marks channel! Sponsor him, he is a British treasure!

[@jhareng]

Happy birthday Mark

[@MendItMark]

Thanks Jonny!

[@MichaelCowden]

As a novice amateur inexperienced naïve learning beginner with a strong interest in this kind of work, I greatly appreciate your videos and advice, Mark!

[@gjvdspam]

Silver conductive paint, never heard of that before. It is actually a thing in electronics, neat. And also really simple solution to reattach that wheel with the wipers to the rest of the pot. You repaired that one with a lot of creativity and imagination. Very impressed by that, you seem to repair the impossible.

[@anthonydenn4345]

People use it to fix rear windscreen heating elements. That's where I heard of it first myself. You can also use it to fix keyboard damaged traces on those flexable plastic sheets.

[@gjvdspam]

@@anthonydenn4345 Thank you for the examples. I actually got a classic car with a broken heating element. Just for fun, classic car doesn't come out when it's bad weather.

[@TheBudgie29]

I binned many of those, didn't think they could be fixed. Love the Microscope, nice piece of kit. That will gets lots of use. Keep Fixing Mark.

[@iantyler4045]

Nicely repaired. 99.9% of people would have binned it but you persisted, got a result and made an entertaining video. Very well done. (Got to get some of that conductive paint).

[@Perthshire]

Hope you get to 100k+ subs soon - you deserve it! My favourite channel on YT.

[@JamesEscobar]

He really does! No nonsense! Straight to the point!

[@s_s-g4d]

Mark, you may want to add that UV-curing solder mask fluid typically sold in syringes to your tools and materials kit. Good for isolating exposed copper tracks, contacts etc. It sticks well and it is quite durable.

[@electronicengineer]

Hello Mr. Mark! You did a beautiful job of repairing that potentiometer. Great idea to use the kapton tape to protect and prevent the wiper contacts from cutting through the silver paint track repairs. Your happy go lucky attitude is absolutely contagious sir. I bet it is a real pleasure to work around/with you. Thank you for sharing your workbench repair time with us viewers. You do amazing repair work Mr. Mark!

[@paulperry7091]

Not sure about "happy go lucky attitude". I'm pretty sure Mark makes his own luck - out of blood, sweat, tears, and years of experience.

[@JamesEscobar]

I understand your energy here! He is infectious and a diamond to be exposed to!!

[@towerman75]

Man you should be proud, you tackle crap that most people would just pitch. Great tech. Keep up the good work.

[@rohannanayakkara9367]

MR. Mark, you must be a very kind person who having smiley face always. 🥰🥰🤩

[@ivanirumberry2125]

Hello mark, I love your videos, they are very entertaining, that workshop with that quality of instruments is a dream. The dedication to repairs is incredible. Happy Birthday. Greetings from Argentina

[@butcharmstrong9645]

I have watched everyone of your repairs on here and they all are informative as well as entertaining. But you sir, make it that way. And i check every day to see if you have new content and was pleasantly surprised to see you did! Wonderful job as always sir!

[@youtubxkip]

This is incredible! From the very first videos I found I realized that this going to be one of my TOP5 channels... but now while I was shopping for ANDONSTART Microscope you posted a video about that right in time! And you showed that the model with swappable lenses for biological / soldering work are actually exists! I hope my kid going to be happy

[@YoutubeFebruary]

Yeah .. "Easy Fix!" But "nooo."... Wow! Fixing a tiny dual potentiometer (10KAx2) it's very impressive! Regards from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

[@davegregg118]

Amazing! I’ve one of these lovely little radios and it was interesting to see inside. I wouldn’t have thought the pot was repairable - nicely done!

[@nameone7183]

Another great video where people can actually learn something. Nice Scope. I will shortly be refurbing a TDS5054 which is currently in Chinese mode. I am taking it to the local Chinese restaurant to get it put in to English mode.

[@rvmeushaw]

Another beautiful fix with your usual ingenius repair techniques!

[@Jammerk40]

Mark very nice job! That Microscope does the job very nicely! That was a great investment! That thing could see a lot of things up close!

[@dnorman2134]

I have a stand alone hi-res camera on a similar stand. One thing i found was with some boards, the pole gets in the way. What i did to get around this was use an old desk monitor stand, placed the camera base on it front to back and turn the pole/mounting and lights around to look over the edge of the monitor stand. this allowed me to put larger boards right under the microscope base. Raised it about 12cm as well.

[@Raptor50aus]

Nice work Mark. Most techs would not have bothered repairing that. I love your work. Another saved from land fill.

[@adrinathegreat3095]

Obviously as a 2 hour labour charge plus vat about £100, vs a £5 radio

[@jamesdavies686]

I have the same exact microscope but I saved about $50 and opted to not have the HDMI output. It's been life changing for microsoldering.

[@oscar3611]

You are amazing Mark! I learn so much from you. It's very clear that you put a lot of effort in your videos, and it's very much appreciated! Cheers from Holland

[@Boffin2002]

I've been looking for an affordable scope so your review was timely. I placed the order via your link this morning but did check via an alternative method first and concluded absolutely no reason not to! Anyway, buying some of these tools is often a hit and miss affair when it's done online so when a review is combined with a legit use/demo it is very worthwhile. Keep up the giggling, you definitely look and sound like you enjoy doing your thing :)

[@Onionbaron]

Centimeters, such a comfort Mark! (instead of the distance between some old kings nut´s) And Holst - Jupiter as an ending...

[@Cee.Jay.71]

Great video as always. The clip of you getting a jolt in your intro always sparks the memory of an occasion I put a capacitor in the wrong polarity and when it popped, I jumped so much I fell off my chair and landed on my back🤣

[@seankayll9017]

Reminds me of the time when as a budding young electronics tinkerer I unwittingly put my hand on the back of a recently disconnected TV tube. Won't be doing that ever again!

[@d0sk3y]

That is just awesome, how you fixed a tiny half-plastic bespoke part like that! I am extremely impressed! Keep it up, Mark!

[@johnburrows7938]

Fantastic save! Great video showcasing the andonstar. A very intelligent repair, another saved from the landfill!

[@precbass]

You know your stuff Mark,I'll give you that.Great video,as usual.

[@maximusvonb]

Internet Legend. You make it seem so accessible to try for myself and want to learn to do this stuff, great job and thank you.

[@madtopp]

i can see my deck that i took in for repair in the background😀 cant wait to get it back then give him my next repair

[@chapman9230]

Really enjoyed this. It looks like Sony skimped on the pot to save .0001p at the expense of landfill space. You foiled their dastardly plan!

[@morksbeanbag]

Great work on this Mark, this is fast becoming my favourite channel on KZbin. :)

[@robwatkins1547]

Another brilliant video Mark, it's really good how you show your investigation into finding the problem and not just saying the problem is xyz. Your attention to detail is fantastic and end product the same, your comedy comes a close second as well. Thanyou.

[@AdamF1972]

Is there anything you don’t know about electronics. Pure genius and so lovely with it. Another fab video sir ❤

[@drewboy5215]

I just picked up one of those scopes a couple of weeks ago it’s really good for the money

[@paulbanks6861]

You always do a great job. I moved into a house that was a major repair agency. The storeroom was full of Sony gear that had been abandoned.

[@ecurepair]

Nice work on that pot! Very sure hands to be able to get that done.

[@marktubeie07]

Superb repair mate - your 'work-arounds' to get a result are brilliant. Nice one Mark!!

[@kenspalding9775]

Mark, I believe the ferite rod would only be used as an antenna for the AM band. Most of these small FM tuners used the headphone wire for the FM antenna.

[@timhull8664]

Mark, great repair, you nearly did what I would have done but I would have used a small flathead nail as the top of the rivet.. 😊

[@alanianfintan]

Thanks for the content and work you put in for our viewing , and happy birthday aswell 🎉

[@PeterHughes-ne9wz]

Another fascinating video and repair, thanks for posting, Mark.

[@kevinanderson7613]

Nice way to start the weekend!

[@RolandElliottFirstG]

I have one of those microscopes, they are okay. The usual Sony quality made product, awesome.

[@Dave64track]

Great video Mark that scope is a great piece of kit just what's needed for that sort of repair the image was really clear very impressed. That conductive paint is a life saver so useful in these situations. Keep up the great work.

[@augustinenache9567]

Great videos Mark, sure learned a lot from you, please keep them up, I know how much work is behind every single one of them. Would be a cool idea if you would open up your osciloscope and replace the fan with a Noctua, I'm curious to see if inside is pretty much a pc running XP.

[@simonmarsden66]

A bit of bluetack on the component will be your friend to keep it steady on the microscope

[@rillloudmother]

the tape over the conductive paint is brilliant!

[@michaelclutton8446]

Thanks for the video Mark, excellent as always. The microscope looks useful, I have ordered one regards Mike

[@lukassteinbrink322]

Very cool videos. Always fun to watch them cause you have a nice humor and always a nice smile on the face and that is why I can't stop after one video.

[@DG-lh6vc]

I fixed one today, didn't take as much as you had to do to fix it Functions great but the signal for the radio is horrible making it impossible to use in my area 😅 but ima put it in the collection .

[@davidcannon1144]

Getting more subs at last. Well deserved!

[@neilbezuidenhout8281]

Awesome Vid as usual! Glad to see im not the only one using the digital microscope. I find on small components, prestik works great holding them in place while testing etc. The bed is very slippery due to the surface coating. Keep up the vids and the awesome content! Cant wait for the next one!!

[@mohammedisaa9952]

# change the surface contact coating?.....

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I have a Panasonic (Panasonic RF SW-70) triangular-shaped pendant-style radio from about same time 2001. Bought for the World Series, still works. Angels WON! Digitally-tuned AM/FM radio with up to 20 programmable station presets for convenient access Ergonomic triangular design fits comfortably in the palm of your hand Special hole for threading a lanyard or chain for wearing around your neck Water-resistant design Powered by single AAA battery (not included)

[@LZDEN]

great repair Mark,and a very nice microscope.

[@rccc5806]

Once again, a ridiculous, as in ridiculously amazing repair!

[@ichbraucheinbier]

Hallo. Klasse wie sie den Lautstärken Regler repariert haben.👍

[@chrisstradling2535]

What a wonderful place. All it's missing is an old fashioned kettle boiling on a Primus stove and a tin of condensed milk.

[@demofilm]

you could use a silicone mat or old mouse mat backing on the miroscope stand, it prevents the board from sliding around. trust me i know :)

[@anthonybarra2391]

Very nice repair, and Great review of the microscope, what a tool! Brilliant bit of kit. An interesting repair for the channel, but there's nothing on fm radio anymore , its all on wifii/ radio app for free . Great work mate

[@scabbynack]

"Gotta burn a CD... let me fire up my oscilloscope" Always fun being reminded of software like Nero 🤣

[@Radiomate]

Awesome to see another video! 🔥

[@icarusquicksilver]

Stonking as ever, love your focus dude! Also just grabbed one of those microscopes, been looking for one for a whilst, but you can't beat an honest review! 😀

[@myvids1180]

Great review Mark! I just ordered a Andonstar AD249S-M. Thanks

[@petemiddleton64]

great fix Mark as allways

[@davetownsend7287]

Good fault that Mark, i hope the customer paid you well? Always difficult pricing that sort of job, more a labour of love. Well done.

[@jimbobroon-wj4qx]

Keep them coming Mark.. ❤

[@ganapathipai8853]

Absolutely astounding. Never thought of doing it

[@proluxelectronics7419]

Bespoke volume pots are a killer for old gear, made by a guy in outer Mongolia for the production run. Just a quick question, have you had any luck repairing the contact area on 80's custom LCD's (zebra strip type) with conductive paint? Big Thumbs up..👍👍

[@Toobula]

Big respect for the pot repair. Wow. Not sure I like the wire bend to hold the knob on where you drilled it out. I might have tested the wipers and then held it together and put a drop of epoxy or even hot melt around the wire. You amaze me.

[@sepposyXIV]

24:55 a big blob of blue tack on the table keeps parts and wires nicely in place while soldering

[@MattTester]

Great demo, seems like a reasonable price for a good microscope. I'd be concerned about the lens getting grubby from the solder smoke, maybe a 12V fan would be good to pull that away.

[@peterlarkin762]

Nah solder fumes are sentient and generally aim directly for ones nose. Screen should be fine.

[@mohammedisaa9952]

So true......

[@nathanmoak1515]

that was way more work than i would have done! i like that microscope. not like the old days with an eyepiece.

[@mohsentabouna6401]

Lovely video mark! Please make a video where you make an in-Circuit ESR meter

[@georgec7798]

Sometimes you have to give the connections a little squeeze with a pair of pliers but be careful.

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Fantastic channel Mark love the scope great product thanks for sharing

[@maciejbijoch2854]

Greetings from Poland 🙋‍♂️👍

[@shaunmorrissey7313]

Cześć from your friends in the UK

[@Timothycan]

I have a similar microscope to that, except no HDMI output, was around 50 pounds cheaper. They are good microscopes, and I power mine using a 2amp rechargeable power pack.

[@zuvinrat4155]

Brilliant Mark, keep them coming !

[@wisher21uk]

Brilliant fix Mark thanks 😊

[@chezsnailez]

One of the problems we've been having with old Radio Shack walkmen is that the wipers often break loose from the rest of the potentiometer - a problem compounded by the fact that the volume control is split between right and left channels. Asbestos we tried, there's no fixing it... PS - a micro-screw like something off an Apple product would've done that pot a treat upon re-assembly. Bet we have a few floating around, too...

[@DominicClifton]

Stereoscopic microscopes are so much better for soldering work and hand-eye coordination. Trinocular if you want to record video too. For example checkout the Amscope scopes.

[@Turbo-Drew]

Awesome as Always...Great vid.. Gotta save up for one of thoes scopes Looks amazing

[@daveg8htfadlibaudio250]

Fascinating Mark as always, Keep up the good work 😀

[@chrisreynolds8054]

Another interesting video. I enjoyed watching. Nice to see another video. As soon as I saw the tuner number I knew it was classic fm. I listen to classic fm I

[@davereichert]

Nice repair! fwiw - I have seen other repair folks use a UV-cured solder mask for this type of thing. Looks pretty cheap and you can cure it with just a handheld UV light, maybe something to add to your toolkit!

[@computerlen]

Not zero ohms when the meter registers in the millions but great video as always!

[@grabo454]

Mark, You really are a wholesome delight to watch and learn from. Thanks so much for the content! The "F me sideways" in an earlier video had me falling out of my chair, hahaha. Cheers~

[@saarike]

Excellent repair and nice vid!!! Thank you.

[@MrFixiit]

Another great fix from a master of his craft thank for shareing .

[@sidneynerlansilva5011]

Olá, Assisto seus vídeos e acho muito bom, apesar de não entender o seu idioma. Parabéns continue assim. Você tem vídeo de conserto de projetor de vídeo....

[@learningturningmetal]

Great job. I love your enthusiasm. Very entertaining! Keep up the great work. Cheers Andrew

[@JohnCarey1963Jag]

That bent wire was making a mark on the top of the adjuster knob - eventually that's going to be a problem but by that time perhaps the owner wont be asking to have it repaired.

[@davidblankenship7985]

I bought one of those microscopes for my birthday when I saw Adam Savage playing with one. Set it up just now. It's not as good as a proper stereo microscope but those cost thousands of dollars

[@2010gtoner]

Mark is back:) no good radio stations out there, r2 is finished

[@michaelmiller641]

Radio 3

[@2010gtoner]

@@michaelmiller641 only 84. too young x

[@jhareng]

Internets the way to go only 30k radio stations and its free. Theres even dedicated radio stations to big bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica. Nothing left on VHF/FM and little on DAB worthy of listening to.

[@michaelmiller641]

@@jhareng I listen on BBC sounds on my phone or iPod

[@briangoldberg4439]

Great job Mark! I've had so many issues with Sony pots on portable devices. They account for a lot of failed devices. Also I was thinking about microscopes, but I've found the kind with a screen on top to be too shaky while I was working on stuff, and it would cause the view to move around too much. How did this one fair in regards to that? Thanks

[@Anachronos1]

About the microscope: I recommend it to beginners or amateurs. I will never use it for professional purpose. And as always great video. :)

[@supermasterPIK]

8:20 9 Khz step band. In US is 10 KHz. Can you adjust it?