Square Peg wrote in
:

On 8 Dec 2008 12:47:42 GMT, Jim Yanik wrote:

Square Peg wrote in
m:

Any recommendations for magnifying lenses for very fine work?

I've used those lighted magnifying desk lamps with some success, but
they are only good for desk work. I am wondering if some sort of
loupe like jewelers or dentists use might be worth buying.

My dentist told me that dental loupes cost $1,000 or more. That's a
bit more than I was planning on spending.

How much magnification is needed or useful? According to Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loupe, jewelers use 10X magnification
to inspect diamonds for blemishes, but dentists only use 2X-5X, so
something in that range ought to be good enough for removing slivers
and soldering. ;-)

This article says that good jeweler's loupes are triplets -- three
lenses combined so as to correct (or minimize) distortion. I am
guessing that this is not important for general use.
http://jewelry.about.com/od/jewelrya...l/ss/loupe.htm

This article has a lot of detailed information about optical
magnifiers in general.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/how-to-c...agnifiers.html

Here are some products I found online. Any recommendations or
suggestions?



This company offers mini-loupes in 4X, 6X, and 8X powers for just
$3.50 each and a headband to hold them for just $5:

I couldn't find the 4X loupe.

http://www.seeitbigger.com/Carson_Lo...d_p/c-ml30.htm
http://www.seeitbigger.com/Carson_Ma...p/cdl-ml66.htm
http://www.seeitbigger.com/Carson_Ma...p/cdl-ml88.htm



This $40 headband magnifier had 4 lenses (1.2X, 1.8X, 2.5X, and 3.5X
and a small headlight. I can't tell if the lenses flip up.

Is 3.5X enough magnification?
http://www.nationaljewelerssupplies..../PROD/ETELP550



The same company offers this headband magnifier for $60. These
lenses (2X, 2.5X, 3X) do flip up, but it is not lighted.

http://www.nationaljewelerssupplies....NJS/PROD/AMmg3



Amazon is selling this set of 5 watchmaker's loupes for $13. Based
on the reviews, it's not clear if these are 2X, 3X, 5X, 7X and 10X
or 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X.

These are loose loupes (no headband), which I presume you wedge into
your eye. I've seen jewelers use them that way, so it must work, but
I'm thinking some sort of headband like the first entry would be
easier to use, especially for work taking more than a few minutes.

http://www.amazon.com/Watchmakers-Ey...00E4Z3YU/ref=p
d_ sbs_op_5


This $45 product from Bausch & Lomb claims to have top quality
optics. http://www.opticsplanet.net/bausch-l...gna-visor.html


on Ebay,you can find binocular clip-on magnifiers that have
magnification ranges of 1.75X to 3X,for around $10. they are easy to
use,if you don't wear glasses,they come with a frame with no lenses
for you to clip on the magnifier.the magnifier flips up out of the way
when you don't need it,and you can look around it,too.

Do you have any of these? What magnification is best for general
household work?


I have one that is 2.25X,it's focal length is about 8-10 inches,and I use
it all the time. I'm 56 and my close focus is shot.
I've also seen them at Woodcraft.(a woodworker's supply store)
I got mine off Ebay.

BTW,I used to buy a similar,headband-type binoc magnifier at Home
Depot(~$20),but it was more unwieldy than the clip-on I use now.
Being able to look around the clip-on's lens is the advantage there.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net