Loupes

[rktaylor]

All the talk about sharpening and loupes has motivated me to buy some. I know I can do a better job sharpening with loupes and was also thinking about using them when tooling. Can I get one magnification that would work for both? I currently wear some 2x reading glasses to do these tasks (and read). I ma thinking about a 5x pair for starters. Any tips on the best place to buy them?

Thanks to Art for starting and moderating this forum.

Randy

[Art]

Hi Randy,

The question is visor type or hand held type. When I really get going, I wear the Optivisor or the QED headlamp with magnifiers. My handhelds are a bunch of different ones, the ones that I like the most are 5x and 10x Bausch & Lomb Watchmaker loupes. Don't pay a lot for these, under $20. The three lens loupe/magnifier is also a good pocket piece, but pricey.

Art

[rktaylor]

Art,

Thanks for the quick reply. I think I would prefer the visor, but the watchmaker loupes look pretty reasonable. Maybe I should just get one for a good price and learn from there.

Randy

[Art]

Hi Randy,

Keep in mind that the watchmaker's loupes can't really comfortably be kept in the eye socket like they do in the movies, well maybe if you have small eye sockets. When you hold them up to your eye, they work perfectly, not like the pocket loupes where you have to hunt for the "sweet spot".

Art

[LumpenDoodle2]

Trust me, watchmaker's loupes are failry cheap, but I can't keep one in place for about 10 seconds at a time. Get one of those visor/spectacle frame magnifiers.

[TinkerTailor]

Trust me, watchmaker's loupes are failry cheap, but I can't keep one in place for about 10 seconds at a time. Get one of those visor/spectacle frame magnifiers.

Try a little super glue.

[LumpenDoodle2]

Ok, I've just tried the superglue.

Houston, we have a problem.........

[Art]

Hey Doodle,

That's what that big can of Acetone is for.

Art

[LumpenDoodle2]

Thanks, but I think I'd prefer a gin and tonic.

I did purchase a very cheap and cheerful setup from China. It consiss of two loupes fixed onto a spectacle type frame. I removed one of the loupes, as two loupes were unusable, but it's pretty good bit of kit, and has two little super powerful led lights built onto the frame.

[Oldtoolsniper]

This is using my iPhone and a 21 X magnifier. It's the edge of a rose knife as I was restoring it to useful condition.

This way I can upload to my iPad and really zoom in on the edge.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Oldtoolsniper

[Oldtoolsniper]

https://www.olloclip.com/shop/lenses/macro-pro/

The macro lens set are the only ones I'd recommend, I own the others and they are pretty bad. Lots of distortions and photos that are hard to look at.

I tie flys too so those macro lenses get a lot of use by me and they really work very well.

[cradom]

I use something like this, although a different brand: http://www.amazon.com/Donegan-OptiVisor-Headband-Magnifier-Magnification/dp/B0068OSIIS/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1455288205&sr=8-19&keywords=magnifying+glasses

Using it with glasses is a little awkward but it works.

[raysouth]

I use the Optivisor and have a great selection of lens. Use it when stamping, carving, burning and more and best way to go for me as keeps my hands free for the task at hand. Have the light attachment but have not used to date.

So many neat things available for us to try. Great fun and even better when we find something that works for us.

God Bless.

Ray

[rickdroid]

Here is a good place with a large selection of loupes and magnifiers. The pocket microscopes look useful and easy to use. Think that I'll have to sell something and get some money together.

rick

http://www.carson.com/

[rktaylor]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I got off high center and bought a 3.5x Optivisor. My knife edges don't look so sharp through it. The 4" focal length will take some adjustment time. I am going to buy other magnification lenses, but I'll use this for awhile first.

Randy

[silverwingit]

I have a really nice photographer's loupe that works very well for examining knife edges, since I no longer develop film. Works great.

I too find that 3.5x is too much for general viewing on my optivisor. Intead I prefer 2x lenses with the 10x swing-in auxilliary lens. Makes a good combination.

Some folks in the folding and fixed blade knife sharpening community use USB microscopes to really zoom in on their edges. Very revealing and not too expensive.

Michelle