Magnified Glasses

[Bruce H]

Anyone using any magnified glasses for leather working or jewelers goggles?

10X, 20X, or 25X...Is this too much magnification for what we do?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks a bunch.

[Ferg]

I use a pair of 3.0 diopter reading glasses for close work. Haven't tried any that are actually magnifying glasses.

ferg

[Studio-N]

hello. When I need a close up I usually use my Optivisor with a 3.5x lens like in the picture. The problem for me was needing to use these AND ware a face shield when grinding down the bevels on my stamps. I was very uncomfortable trying to use both. Then it occurred to me that face shields are made to accommodate people who wear glasses. So I cut out a something that would wear like glasses and use the lens from the optivisor. It is also shown here. It may not be pretty but it works well with the face shield.

Cheers!

[dikman]

Dunno about magnified glasses, but I've been using an "optivisor"-type head magnifier for years (for all sorts of things). Wouldn't be without one, in fact I have three scattered around the house/sheds!

[Bruce H]

Thanks everyone...I'll look into the optivisor...I was thinking 20 power or more would be way too much.

[dikman]

I agree, while there are times when high magnification might be handy, I think 20 power will be too much for most things. Some of the head-type magnifiers have variable magnification, you just flip down additional lenses. Two of mine are like that and I find them very useful, as most times I only need low magnification.

[billybopp]

Dang, Studio-N ... Don't show those glasses to the hipsters in yer neighborhood. They'll have to have a pair!

I use head worn magnifiers at times, but also find a lighted free-standing magnifier pretty useful as well( http://www.amazon.com/Carson-DeskBrite-Illuminated-Magnifier-LM-20/dp/B003EW1ZNC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441696283&sr=8-2&keywords=hobby+magnifier )

Bill

[impulse]

For very fine work I use watchmaker glasses which have x20 magnification and a light. Available on eBay from China for the princely sum of A$5.35, free postage!

[dikman]

Yeah, I got a pair of those too, impulse. Seemed like a good idea, for the price, but I've found them to be too much magnification for my needs! Still, didn't cost much to try.

(Been a bit wet in the hills lately, hasn't it?).

Edited September 9, 2015 by dikman

[Hawk Scarbrough]

I have an Optivisor (can't remember the dioptors off hand) I ordered. I based the strength I wanted on the focal distance I wanted. Googled it and found one that had a chart and based my purchase on that..from another company I think. It does come in handy when I'm doing tiny carving or need a close up of my work.

[DrmCa]

I mounted optics from an old fax machine in the glasses frame w/o lenses and that gives about 20-30 magnification at very close range.

[JulieP]

I just bought this on Amazon about a week ago for leatherwork. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087DWGCM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01. The lense is 2.25x (5 diopter) Its a LED so it does not get hot. The lense is 6 linches. I really like it. At night I still need another swing arm light to help light area but I am really happy with the light. It takes a bit to get used to but I don't think I could go with out it now.