Subject: Re: Magnifier for shop

From: [email-masked] (Jens)
Date: Sun, 08 Dec 1996 07:41:46 -0800

It's interesting that all the replies to this seem to be heading
towards a visor type magnifier - something I hadn't even considered.
Can anybody tell me why the visor is so great rather than to use a
loope type ???? 
The visor type doesn't seem to get high enough in the magnifications
for real close inspection ....

Jens

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From: [email-masked] (Alan Shinn)
Date: Sun, 08 Dec 1996 20:16:06 -0800

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked]
(Jens) wrote:

> I am curious what kind of magnification people use in their shops for
> inspecting cutting surfaces etc.
> I was thinking of getting something with a 10X magnification but since
> there are 7,20,30,40 and other powers available I figured I better ask
> here first.
> Any other thought on what type to get ? I was thinking about a loope
> type but again, there are a lot of different choices.
> 
> PS.: I am sure this will be much more interesting to people than
> picking up the import bashing thread again :)
> 
> Jens

Jens:
My all time favorite was (note unfortunate past tense) a 10X
Ophthalmologist's stereo microscope with a 10 inch working distance and a
parrallelogram adjustable holder that clamped on to the edge of a table or
lathe or mill---.BUT (and I never really saw the price) bring lotsa $$$.
Next to that a stereo zoom 7-30X inspection 'scope is pretty great. I just
ordered one of those from a fellow that had a few, (for $150-- a *real*
bargain).

-- 
Al Shinn   (Tinker)
alshinn@ sirius.com

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From: [email-masked] (Jonathan M. Elson)
Date: 9 Dec 1996 06:11:19 GMT

Jens ([email-masked]) wrote:
: I am curious what kind of magnification people use in their shops for
: inspecting cutting surfaces etc.
: I was thinking of getting something with a 10X magnification but since
: there are 7,20,30,40 and other powers available I figured I better ask
: here first.
: Any other thought on what type to get ? I was thinking about a loope
: type but again, there are a lot of different choices.

I have several types, depends on the job at hand.  I use an Opti-Visor
for jobs where I will be doing work at the same place for a long time,
and need just a little magnification.  A 2x or 3x magnification really
helps when working with small parts.  I use a variety of Super-8 mm
projection lenses, which make fabulous loupe magnifiers.  Most won't
actually stay in your eye socket, but I use them by holding the lens
to the eye with one hand, and holding the part up with the other.  You
could easily make a custom fitted loupe adaptor on a lathe.  These
magnifiers are about 25 mm focal length, I don't know what that works
out to in powers, but might be around 10 x.  It is excellent for examining
cutting edges while sharpening.  You get a working distance of about
1/2".  These lenses can be found on the surplus market, at flea markets,
etc.  AT & T dumped boxes of 100 x panasonic hand-held microscopes for
examining fiber optic couplings, and the custom adaptor can be easily
pulled off, leaving a simple microscope with a aa-battery illuminator
built in.  A local surplus shop has them for $15.  These are inferior
to a real quality microscope, but for higher power examination, they
work fine.
						Jon

PS:  Those lucky guys who got the $150 -175 stereo zoom microscopes!
I missed out because my E-mail took to long to get to me!

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From: [email-masked] (Jens)
Date: Sat, 07 Dec 1996 14:05:56 -0800

Jens

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From: Reginald barron <[email-masked]>
Date: 9 Dec 1996 20:39:50 GMT

>I missed out because my E-mail took to long to get to me!

Yeah, I missed out too, was in the hospital.
Not really complaining, I should'a had my 
kid monitor the E-Mail.  Those scopes were 
first come first serve.  You lose some, 
you win some (but home from the hospital is a win!)

Reg Barron

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From: [email-masked]
Date: 9 Dec 1996 21:16:04 GMT

>for real close inspection ....

With this type of magnification I find you can stack them up for increased
power.

I bought 4.5 reading glasses at Longs, that coupled with the standard 2.5
of the visor with the extra 3 of the inside flip down and the single loupe
mounted on the outside I can get about 15x. Focal length shortens
dramatically but is so adjustable for power I still like them. To answer
the first part last, You take them with you. I use them for close up work
on the lathe, setting up the mill and sitting at the bench stoning cutters
and the like.

Peter
Still a little one-eyed even with all this magnifying power!

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From: [email-masked] (Doug White)
Date: Sun, 08 Dec 96 14:48:58 GMT

Keywords: 
>type but again, there are a lot of different choices.

I would avoid the really high power magnifiers.  I find either a #4 
(2X) or #5 (2.5X) Optivisor works well for me.  You can get them up to 
3.5X.  Above that power, I don't think the binocular effect works very 
well, and you are better off getting an inspection microscope.  The 
higher the power the more any motion is magnified, and you need to keep 
pretty steady not to get a headache.  I think the real Optivisors (not 
clones) are well made, and Enco usually has pretty good prices on them 
(~$22).  Be careful, there are lot of 'sale' flyers that repeatedly have 
them for ~$38.  I think this is a typo, but I've seen it more than once, 
and the uninitiated could get screwed. 

Doug White

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From: Paul Pierce <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 09 Dec 1996 08:21:20 -0700

> for real close inspection ....

I feel there are two different applications.
I have  visor type, a loupe, and a fluorescent lamp with a 4-1/2" 
magnifier in it.  Each does it's own job.   How much magnification do
you require for a given purpose.

The visor, 14" focus I believe, ($28)is nice to read micrometers,
verniers, etc.
Don't need a lot of magnification there.

The loupe ($5, 5X) bought at a flea market (when shopping for fleas) has
a
clip for mounting onto my spectacles.  Great for looking at tool bits,
drill bits, etc. close up.  Also cactus needles, steel chips, etc. in my
finger.

The fluorescent (ring type) lamp really lights up the subject.

-- 
Paul in AJ AZ  NRA Endowment Member

Checkout the Metal Web News at:
new address (11/23/96)

http://www.ten.k12.tn.us/~wgray

Checkout the FAQ at:
http://PLAINS.UWYO.EDU/%7Emetal/index.html

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From: [email-masked]
Date: 9 Dec 1996 03:00:14 GMT

>type but again, there are a lot of different choices.

I use the visor type that have about 2.5 as the main lens. There is
another flip down one inside that adds another 3 and a swing in loupe type
thing that ads another 4 or 5. Cost me $15 and is ideal. It swings up out
of the way and it fits over my reading glasses nicely when I use it.

>picking up the import bashing thread again :)

My magnifying visor was made in Taiwan! ;)>

Peter

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From: [email-masked]
Date: 9 Dec 1996 15:19:05 GMT

>picking up the import bashing thread again :)

I am spoiled - whenever I need to get a *good* look at anything,
I just take it into work and use the B&L Stereozoom microscope.
Has the 15X wide field eyepieces, and a fiberoptic ring illuminator.
The illuminator makes a world of difference - puts the light
*right* where you need it, and all the IR is blocked out, so
you don't toast your hand.

Its amazing how much you can see with good magnification and
light source.  I have removed jammed taps and solved more than
one "mystery" with microscopes like that.  Plus, that's the ultimate
in quality control for fine assembly work.

At home I have just a loupe - I never could use those opti-visors.
They give me a HUGE, instant eyestrain headache.

Jim

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From: [email-masked] (Fitch R. Williams)
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 06:11:43 GMT

>Still a little one-eyed even with all this magnifying power!

Dang!  I'm gonna go get me one o them genuine microprocessor
controlled  wide angle optically coated polarized see in the
dark  100% solid state 12.5X zoom loops.   American made
too.  Not a work in progress some assembly required
battteries not included bring your own Windex and lense wipe
where did I set them all down and how did that oiley finger
print get *there* cludge like *that*.  <G>

Fitch
Feeling for the enter key .... wishing he hadn't had RK
surgery ... used to be the world champion at removing
slivers ... 20/750 eyes had an unassisted focal length of
about 8" with one eye shut ... can't even *see* slivers now
except  with a rig like Peters ... but I *can* find the ...
uh ... water closet with out glasses at zero dark thirty ...
and have one less thing to find in a hurry when the earth
starts shaking ...

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From: [email-masked] (Steve Rayner)
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 1996 10:55:11 GMT

Headband types like the versitor are handy.  A jewelers loupe with 5 & 10 
power is good to have.  I have the kind of loupe that clips onto eye glasses,
which is very convenient.

-- 
Steve. 

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