Measuring and testing equipment

Taken with a digital camera and an 8X loupe.

2 pics of a VG10/Carbon Fiber laminated edge on a Beretta Avenger.

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yuzuha said:
Cool, post again when you get it and let us know how you like it. (for that price I'm thinking of getting one myself even though I've already got a 10 and 16x coddington)
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Received the loupe today. Solid construction, good optics (in my inexperienced opinion), and it is definitely easier to use than the Radio Shack microscope. Has a wider field of view, and can be focused quickly.

I feel like I should have paid more for this! :eek:

Yuzuha - thanks for the pointer. With this knife I was able to see the problem spots on my SAK Soldier (what appears to be rippled and folded sections of the edge). I can "see" that this is going to be a great aid as I begin learning how to freehand sharpen! :)

Matthew
 
So basically, with the whole area/linear magnification thing, the loupe gives you the same power as the radio shack but is as easy to use as a basic magnifying glass?? Sounds like maybe I shouldn't have bought the Radio Shack after all. Any difficulties getting adequate light with the loupe?
 
I'm happy you like it ^-^
Now you can start comparing edge reflections with what you see under the magnifier (I haven't gotten the reading reflections, that HoB mentioned, down pat yet either, I can tell when something isn't right but still need the loupe to see what to do to fix it).

Alas, there is a down side to having a loupe... too many times I'll be sitting on the couch watching some boring show on tv and will grab some knife and start inspecting the edge, as something to do durring commercials, and wind up digging out the stones because of some odd little imperfection I see /_-;
 
It sounds like I need to get me one of those loupes. For less than $20.00 it seems like it would be handy to keep in the shop or on my desk.

Of course if I need to really see something detailed, I just fire up the fiber optic light source for the Bausch & Lomb StereoZoom7 microscope that's sitting on my wife's bench. With the twist of a knob it'll go from 10x-70x or swap in 20x eyepieces for 20x -140X and was originally used in a semi conductor fab for inspection purposes. With the stereo mic you get a full 3d image But the loupe sounds handy.

Thanks for the tips guys.

John
 
I guess I was too dumb to know better, but I still like the microscope better. Biggest reason is it has its own light source. I tried the loupe for a couple of days, and it does work good, but I have to move around to find a good light to use it. Plus I get a little more detail with the microscope. Guess its all just what you're used to.

The loupe does provide a better overall picture, though, which I also like. Definitely was worth the purchase in that regard.

Sorry you're not happy (AlonzoMosely). I think they both have their place. RadioShack has a good return policy though.
 
I got a 10x loupe from a rock shop years ago that has a flat spring to hold it. That spring is the handiest thing as it leaves both hands free. 10x seems to be enough for me to see what's happening with an edge.

Rob
 
Another vote for the HF Digital Caliper. The 6" ones were on sale for $17 and change but they were out, so I got the 4" one for a buck or so less. Comes in its own form fitting little case, extra battery, and a button to switch from inch to mm. I use it for all sorts of things, like measuring knife blade thicknesses, lengths, fishing line diameter, various small parts, screws, bolts, and thingamajigs. Replacement button batteries are common and available at Wal Mart. I found a card of six of the batteries at a dollar department store, yep, for a buck.

Anyway, I like mine. Just watch the HF ads (www.harborfreight.com) for a week or two or three and the caliper you want will go on sale.

U
 
cbwx34 said:
I think they both have their place.
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Absolutely! I plan on using the 'scope when I want to get a little more detailed look at the edge. I did see more detail with the microscope than I did with the loupe; the tradeoff is the greater time required to focus and the smaller field of view. I view the loupe as a "check my progress" tool and the microscope as an "admire my work" tool.

Again, assuming that I will have made progress and have work to admire :rolleyes:

Matthew
 
I ordered a loupe today,

Thanks for all the good info being shared. My eyes are really starting to play tricks on close work. This will help a lot. :)
 
My loupe came in,

from geotools.com, It was onsale for 13.95 and they shipped it priority mail.

I have not owned one before, but this seems to be a very well made piece .

Very satisfied.
 
I went to Radio Shack today to pick up one of those lighted microscopes. They had 2. One of them didn't light up; the other (for some reason) wouldn't allow anything to be seen :rolleyes:

Anyway, I noticed they also had a 3 lens loupe for about $8. It has 5x, 10x, and 15x lens. The shrink wrap suggested 2 or 3 could be used in conjunction. Anyone have one of these, or have any opinions about it? Are the multi-lens loupes annoying to use for some reason?
 
edb said:
Anyway, I noticed they also had a 3 lens loupe for about $8. It has 5x, 10x, and 15x lens. The shrink wrap suggested 2 or 3 could be used in conjunction. Anyone have one of these, or have any opinions about it? Are the multi-lens loupes annoying to use for some reason?
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edb -

From the link that yuzuha posted:

There are also loupes with multiple but independent lenses. What this means is that you can choose one lens of 5x, 7x, 9x, etc... or a combination of 2 or 3 lenses to give yet higher magnifications. The individual lenses can be handy, but using them together to get higher magnification is never quite as good as using an actual triplet loupe.
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Hope this helps,

Matthew
 
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