Magnafier for viewing an edge?

SC_Dave

SC_Dave

Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
188
Can't afford a microscope so I bought a 10x lighted loupe, well that was useless! What magnafication is the minium for eyeballing the bevel? Could someone recommend a tried and true magnafier please? I would really appreciate it.
David
 
Actually, a 10X lighted loupe is what I've been using, in PART. I could upgrade, but haven't decided on which of MANY options to pick.

I'd recommend, if nothing else, using a better light source. Something like a fluorescent 'swing arm' style inspection lamp works well (I usually use one like this, as my light source, with my loupe). Look for one using a 'daylight' fluorescent lamp (a 'ring' shaped lamp, makes for a very wide field of bright light). They use about 10 watts of energy, but produce a light equivalent of a 60W bulb or so. My lamp actually has a built-in magnifier, which is maybe 5X at best. But it's all-the-more useful with GOOD light. Seeing burrs/wire edges/chips/etc on an edge depends heavily on seeing the reflected light 'shining' off of them. The built-in illuminators on most 'inexpensive' lighted magnifiers are usually too dim to be useful. A 10X magnifier is good enough to do the job, but it's only half of the solution. Gotta have good light, too.
 
I like the looks of that Lee Valley on AF, thanks!

I'll try better light with the one I have to see how it does David, thanks a lot.
David
 
AFAustin said:
I have enjoyed using this one from Lee Valley: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43456,43351&p=51092 The quality is good and it gives me a nice view of my edges. It's 15x, which suits me, but I know some like a stronger one---20x or 30x.

Also, Lee Valley is having one of their free shipping events (if $40 or more) till 9/26.

Andrew
Click to expand...

Andrew, I've seen that one recommended before (maybe by you), and it looks interesting. Is it lighted with an LED illuminator, or incandescent bulb? I haven't seen any such info in the product description.

Thanks. :thumbup:
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Andrew, I've seen that one recommended before (maybe by you), and it looks interesting. Is it lighted with an LED illuminator, or incandescent bulb? I haven't seen any such info in the product description.

Thanks. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

David, it has an LED. It runs on 3xAAA cells. I use eneloops and it sips juice from them very slowly---I can go months without recharging them.

Andrew
 
AFAustin said:
David, it has an LED. It runs on 3xAAA cells. I use eneloops and it sips juice from them very slowly---I can go months without recharging them.

Andrew
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That's the PERFECT answer I was hoping for, for the same reason (I really HATE :mad: changing batteries all the time). Most LEDs have a better quality light, too. Especially compared to those little, incandescent, battery-draining, DIM bulbs.

Thanks again. :thumbup:
 
Glad to help. If you guys get one, let me know how you like it.

Andrew
 
I think you'll like it. If not, I will say that the one time I had an order from Lee Valley where the goods weren't up to snuff, they were easy to work with on a refund.

Andrew
 
You found a 10x magnifier useless? I use a 12x Agfa Lupe and have sero problems. You were looking through it wih your eyes open right? :D
 
I'm curious to read more feedbacks on that Lee Valley thing. It does look pretty handy. I started sharpening with a "freehand" magnifying lens but I found it was uncomfy to manage the lens, the source of light, and the knife. Lately, I'm using a "table" version like this one:

http://www.dmail.it/prodotto/169400...l#scat=C114&search_string=lente ingrandimento

which has been some kind of improvement for sure, but the one suggested by Andrew could be even better (I'd like to have something portable - I keep all my sharpening equipment in a small handbag so I can take it to work etc).
:cool:
 
RevDevil said:
You found a 10x magnifier useless? I use a 12x Agfa Lupe and have sero problems. You were looking through it wih your eyes open right? :D
Click to expand...

I use an 8x AGFA loupe,and a 15x loupe for nitty gritty work. I find even with "just" the 8x and some strong overhead lighting that's about all I need. That said, I have some craft shop 10x magnifiers that cost about 2 bucks - they are absolutely useless.
 
quattromori said:
I'm curious to read more feedbacks on that Lee Valley thing. It does look pretty handy. I started sharpening with a "freehand" magnifying lens but I found it was uncomfy to manage the lens, the source of light, and the knife. Lately, I'm using a "table" version like this one:

http://www.dmail.it/prodotto/169400...l#scat=C114&search_string=lente ingrandimento

which has been some kind of improvement for sure, but the one suggested by Andrew could be even better (I'd like to have something portable - I keep all my sharpening equipment in a small handbag so I can take it to work etc).
:cool:
Click to expand...

That's very similar to what I have (mentioned in my earlier post). Mine's got a clamp-mount, so I can clip it to a bench/table or wherever. I re-checked the specs on it, and it's only 3X. The light is very good, though, and that makes a big difference. So-called 'full spectrum' light, similar to daylight. The field of light is much wider, and basically 'surrounds' the inspection piece with light from all directions. Much easier to spot the deficiencies on the edge. It's also easier to use these at a 'comfortable' viewing distance, as opposed to the loupes, which need to be held very CLOSE (to both the object, and to the eye). Sometimes, these other 'minor' things can add up, to make a low-power magnifier much more useful. Even if not relying on the magnifier itself, it is a very good light source to complement my 10X loupe.

s0108493_sc7
 
HeavyHanded said:
I use an 8x AGFA loupe,and a 15x loupe for nitty gritty work. I find even with "just" the 8x and some strong overhead lighting that's about all I need. That said, I have some craft shop 10x magnifiers that cost about 2 bucks - they are absolutely useless.
Click to expand...

Exactly! I looked through a different brand 10x and it was great. The one I have now has a very small focal point so for this use, it is very much useless.
David
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
That's very similar to what I have (mentioned in my earlier post). Mine's got a clamp-mount, so I can clip it to a bench/table or wherever. I re-checked the specs on it, and it's only 3X. The light is very good, though, and that makes a big difference. So-called 'full spectrum' light, similar to daylight. The field of light is much wider, and basically 'surrounds' the inspection piece with light from all directions. Much easier to spot the deficiencies on the edge. It's also easier to use these at a 'comfortable' viewing distance, as opposed to the loupes, which need to be held very CLOSE (to both the object, and to the eye). Sometimes, these other 'minor' things can add up, to make a low-power magnifier much more useful. Even if not relying on the magnifier itself, it is a very good light source to complement my 10X loupe.

s0108493_sc7
Click to expand...



I have checked back on this thread a few times as I too have been in the market for some sort of magnifier and additional light source.
Just today I passed on the exact lamp/magnifier pictured above and instead opted for a 10X lighted loupe.
Now that I am at home and using the loupe I am kicking myself for not getting the lamp/3X magnifier combo.
I have to agree that the greater field of view and multi directional light source would be optimal for examining a knife edge. The loupe just seems to have too narrow a field of view for my eye.
 
I bought, and use, a very small 40x loupe from Amazon. It's optics, I'm sure, are far from excellent but it has an attached led light and has worked flawlessly for 6 months or so. The led by itself isn't always enough, but I'm either in the garage near the door (sunshine), or in the kitchen with a lot of fluorescent light to supplement. Cost was 3.99 + I think 2.00 to ship, and worth every penny.
Russel
 
peppercorn said:
I have checked back on this thread a few times as I too have been in the market for some sort of magnifier and additional light source.
Just today I passed on the exact lamp/magnifier pictured above and instead opted for a 10X lighted loupe.
Now that I am at home and using the loupe I am kicking myself for not getting the lamp/3X magnifier combo.
I have to agree that the greater field of view and multi directional light source would be optimal for examining a knife edge. The loupe just seems to have too narrow a field of view for my eye.
Click to expand...

And it's all-the-worse if you wear glasses (like I do). Field of view gets that much narrower. My lamp/magnifier was stashed away in a box for a long while (I bought it, then moved). Didn't feel too eager to use it, because I sort of assumed the '3X' wouldn't be as useful as something stronger. Now that I've finally dug it out again, I'm using it more often than the 10X loupe. The light, field of view and the working distance make a big difference in 'usability'. And it's HANDS-FREE!
 
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