Loupe

R

Rhodies

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Jul 27, 2017
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I am looking to purchase a Loupe, a x5 Busch & Lomb Eye Piece with 2" Eye Relief. Will this be good enough to check out burs? Don't really feel the need to go extreme. Please don't tell me I need an Electron Microscope, for example. Thanks...

David
 
I have a 10x that works pretty well. Not B+L but another brand that was pretty popular with geology types.
I'll go find it and update when I do.
It works quite well.
 
I've used 3X magnifiers to good effect, to reveal burrs & other edge defects, like incomplete apexing, or rounding, blunting, denting, etc. It works well IF you're looking under BRIGHT light. A good & bright light source will even reveal them by naked eye, if you know what to look for.

The ugly stuff hides in the shadows. So, light it up, at the very least. :D


David
 
I use a Opti-Visor head set with 3X lens. Which works. Going up to 7X works better. Removing the burr to the point where
your not able to feel it works will also. DM
 
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I found a 10X with a built in 6 LED light rig for a different purpose but it works good enough for this novice.
It says LED LOUPE TRIPLET 10X-20.5mm APLANATIC - ACHROMATIC LENS on the frame.

Sounds expensive but I don't remember paying much for it.
 
The only ones I have are cheap chinese imports of a couple different types. They work, and for the small money, they are worth it. I do want to get an Optivisor and a couple different lenses with a light eventually. I could use it for a few different hobbies.
First, I should get my eyes checked and get corrective lenses. It has been 20 years since the last visit.
 
What I use, for hands-free knives and firearms small assembly work: Lelife clip on lamp with 5x magnifier. Has a big clip you can clip onto whatever in your work area, 3.25" wide lens, and a built-in LED.
 
The one tiguy shows is a good one. I have the one w/o the light mount which I think would be beneficial. Be aware the numbers
on the lens is NOT the magnification power. You'll have to refer to the chart. Why they did them that way is beyond me. These are not so cheap and run about 50$. But they leave both hands free. DM
 
I think the number on the Optivisor lens board has something to do with diopters.
 
I use a bunch that have come from the printing shop after the bases break from being dropped or they get too scratched up to use well in shop environment. 20x is the highest magnification I'd go for handheld, with 12-15 being better. The two links below are ones I have and use. I actually prefer the 8x one listed below (I had to cut some of the acrylic base off to make it work offhand) as the larger diameter lets in more light.

Smaller diameter loupes require better and brighter lighting.


https://www.magnifier.com/printers-loupes/15x-achromatic-folding-loupe.htm

https://www.magnifier.com/printers-loupes/agfa-lupe-loupe-8x-acrylic-base-pocket-magnifier.htm
 
I've mainly used a Bausch & Lomb 7X by 17X ( two stage loupe) and it's been great for mostly what I use it for. I'll probably be keeping it for some time too because it's also great for field use and I wouldn't even mind having another one for my "bug-out bag kit".

I do have my sights set on something higher here in the near future. I've been looking at some German made "Carl Zeiss" loupes lately and a friend of mine who's dad is a watchmaker and watch repair man told me that the Zeiss units are probably the very best out there. I do have a ton of respect for Bausch & Lomb because they do make a decent product for the money. The Zeiss units are rather pricey but I've heard that the clearity of those Zeiss units is unbelievable. Zeiss also makes telescopes and a lot of optic tools for the medical industry.

I got my 7X by 17X B & L loupe from a machinist supply company and I believe I paid around $50 for it about 10 years ago. The loupe is like any other tool>> you generally get what you pay for. Beware of any el-cheapo units>>try to stick to reputable brands of optics. If you take care of it you may not ever have to buy another one. Keep us posted and let us know what you decide on.
 
View attachment 792925 This is a Zeiss Loupe to which I added a T light. This is good for drilling small holes where you do not want what is left of your hair to get caught in the spindle. The power is 4.3X, and the working distance is 40cm. It also works for watch repair and brain surgery.
 
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