Optivisor Poll

What magnification/focal lenght Optivisor do you use?

  • Power: 1 1/2 Distance: 20"

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Power: 1 3/4 Distance: 14"

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Power: 2 Distance: 10"

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Power: 2 1/2 Distance: 8"

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Power: 2 3/4 Distance: 6"

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Power: 3 1/2 Distance: 4"

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I don't need no stinkin' visor!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
If you have one, what magnification/range lens do you use? I bought a 2.5X/8 inch one and I am finding that it is a little too short of a focal length. I want to grind with it sometimes and that puts my already ugly face too close to the belt for comfort.

I thought a poll would be fun.:)

If you want, you can also tell us what you use it for.
 
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I use Optivisors...but only for handwork. For machine work
I find reading glasses much better, in 1 - 2x, and often with
safety glasses.
 
I don't use optivisors. Hate them! I have a little flip down lens that mounts on a glasses frame that I use. I mounted it on an old RayBan frame that the lenses were all chewed up and cut the bottoms of the frame off

-Page
 
I use a visor but not optivisor. It has interchangeable lenses so I would answer yes to the above poll. I can put whatever lens I need for the operation I am doing.
 
I have the Bausch and Lomb Magna Visor it came witrh 3 lenses 6". 8" and a 12". Not sure which one I am using but will look tomorrow and I only use this for hand work. I have 20/10 vision so I don't need it for grinding :D.
 
I use one and to be honest I forgot which one I bought. I'll have to check on it to see if it says it on the visor.
 
I always figured ,if you can't see it with it on , then you'll never see it with it off. Never without it when at the bench or grinder.
 
Um....this one.... ;)

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See Nick that's what I am talking about. For me this is a scalping waiting to happen. :eek:

Thanks for your input guys, very informative.
 
BTW- I forgot to answer your question. I use mine a lot. I had them for years before I ever did... my eyes were good and I just didn't think I needed it. Plus I hated that they have a certain focal length. Then I had guys like Tim Hancock and Mike Vagnino point out that if you can get something to look good under an Optivisor, then it will definitely look good to the naked eye.

My eyes are still very good (left one is a touch weaker than it used to be)...but I like to throw on the Optivisor any time I feel like I'm on the fence about how something looks... whether it be grinds, finish, fit....whatever.

I don't use them WHILE doing stuff like grinding very often. I finish ground a little blade last night and didn't wear them for the main bevel or the clip grind...but sometimes I do.

Most important thing is lighting... way more important than any type of magnifiers (IMHO) :)
 
I'm finding that I do a better job of grinding without magnification. Although I can't see detail without an Optivisor or reading glasses, when I grind without them I rely a lot more on body motion, muscle memory, and the overall flow of each pass. Even at high grit, checking the reflection off the blade tells me a lot more than examining scratches.

I've had my Optivisor so long Ihave no idea what the magnification or focus are. Like Russ said, I tend to use it only for very fine work, and use 1.5x or 2x reading glasses for everything else.
 
Both of our local welding supply stores sell safety glasses that are full lens magnifiers, ranging from 1.0 to 3.5 power. A few years ago my Eye Doctor pronounced me as having "old eyes". He recommended that I start using the above described safety glasses, and I've been doing so ever since. For day to day shop wear, I use a pair of 1.25 lenses/glasses, and I also have 1.50 and 3.0 in the shop for those "tiny" project needs.
By the way, both of the welding supply stores around here sell these type safety glasses for $14.95 per pair.
This isn't where I buy them, but this is what they look like: http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/Magnifying-Safety-Glasses.html
 
For normal work I use the 1.5 or 2.0 power bifocal safety glasses. I like the bifocal because I want to still be able to see across the room as well as right under my nose. I got mine from MSC, here is the link http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=17858997&PMT4NO=0

They are 7.10, 6.53 if you buy 12 or more. This is the best price I have seen at MSC. The last time I bought some they were on sale for $11 and I bought a bunch. Few years worth.
 
Thanks again for all the info. Many things to try.
You are right Nick, I do have to upgrade my lighting at the grinder and drillpress.

It never ends. :(
 
Safety Glasses USA sells little stick-on magnifiers that adhere by surface tension-- no glue to warp the image you see, just water that dries clear-- that turn any spectacles into bifocals. I've used them last couple of years on safety glasses for close-up belt grinding, and they work great. They do not fall off. Ever. But they can be wetted again and moved around until you find the optimum position. Dirt cheap. too. Let's hope the ophthalmologists' union doesn't hear about them and ban them or require prescriptions!! http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/optx-20-20-stick-on-bifocals.html (I have no financial interest in this.
)
 
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