Thread: Magnifier / lamp

I have an old (bin rescued) clamp to bench job. I use it mostly when saw sharpening and find it very handy for that and other small fiddley things. The springs in the arm are a bit stretched now so I have always to tighten knobs when it is in position. Still it cost me nothing and does a reasonable job. I have not seen the newer LED ones but they sound nice.
Regards
John

I have an older model with an 8" round flouro tube and fits into a base which is filled with lead pellets and sits on the bench. That can be very handy, but does take up abot 250mm diameter of bench space.It's about 8X magnification and I used it for many years repairing PC boards. It worked very well, but the lens to subject distance can get to be a problem - I suggest that you check this out if you are going to be working under the magnifier / light head. I had barely enough room to get a soldering iron in at times. I have no experience with floor mounted or LED versions.

Bob

I use one that's clamped to the bench and is stable and easy to move out of the way. I'd only consider a floor stander if you have a constant need to move the location of the lamp. mOh and make sure it has the switch on the head of the lamp.

Hi Bob - read the description of your magnifier with interest, as it sounds like the type I have been searching for. Haven't seen one for years and always regretted not picking it up at the time but what I'm after is an old lab magnifier; cast iron base, 2 flexible arms, round fluoro lamp around a 4 or 5" lense. Not sure how high the magnification was, but yours at 8x sounds exceptional. If yours is not the one I described then it sounds like the go anyway. Would you be able to post some pics and any identifying details. My searches on Ebay, etc can become more refined with this info. Thanks for your help

I've been going through the hoops for a while trying to buy one of these illuminated magnifying lamps. As highlighted in a previous post, the subject to lens distance with these lamps can be a limiting factor. The subject to lens distance will be related to the dioptre strength of the lens. I've looked at ones so far that range from +1.5 dioptre to +3 dioptre so far. The dioptre specification is a measure of the focal length of the lens. On it's own, that specification doesn't tell you much. When you use the magnifying lens, it is being used in combination with the lens in your eye, and with the lens in your glasses (if you need them). The magnification is a factor of the distance between the subject and the lens, and the distance between the lens and your eyes or glasses.

Children and young adults, who generally have very flexible eye muscles and lenses, usually find that they can use a magnifying glass at a wider range of subject to lens and lens to eye distances. As we get older, we loose that flexibility in our eyes, and as a result us older persons usually find that we can only achieve focus using a magnifying glass at a much reduced range of subject to lens and lens to eye distances.

Because of the limitations of our eyes as we get older, what I can say for absolutely sure, is that if at all possible you need to try using the magnifier in the shop before buying it.

The other reason to look before you buy, is that the quality of these illuminated magnifiers varies from "built like a Sherman Tank, and with near optically perfect lenses", down to "cheap plastic build, with cheap plastic lenses, that give a poor view (like looking through the bottom of a coke bottle)".

One magnifier that I tried a year or so ago (don't remember the brand) had a very strong lens (nothing in the specifications about the lens strength) and was probably designed for stamp or coin collectors as (with my eyes) I could only get a working distance of about 50mm - just enough room to get a stamp and a pair of tweezers under the lens. The 18 year old shop assistant still needed the lens that close to the subject, but was able to move their eyes back much further from the lens. No much good for saw sharpening or woodworking.

The first sort of OK one I looked at back in December 2013 was at Ikea. It was illuminated with LEDS, but I think that the lens was a pretty cheap design, maybe plastic not glass, or maybe just poorly ground glass. The product info did not include a specification for the power of the lens. Only a small area at the centre of view was in sharp focus, and there was a lot of colour fringing around everything. I didn't think that the LEDS were bright enough. When I checked this morning, I found that it has disappeared from Ikea's web site catalogue.

The next decent one I considered was found on the internet at http://www.daylightman.com.au/online...mp-an1020.html. It has a 22 watt flourescent tube (not LEDS) as illumination. At a range of say 200mm, 22 watts should provide plenty of light. The specs state that it has a 1.5 dioptre lens. I've emailed this outlet to ask them to measure the subject to lens distance for me - but I haven't had a response yet. This one might be OK, but I'll only consider buying it if I have the option of returning it if it is unsuitable.

The next that I found on the Internet last week is at Jaycar. Desk Mount LED Laboratory Magnifier Lamp - Jaycar Electronics It is LED illuminated, and has a 3 dioptre magnification. I'm going to Ipswich later this week, and intend to have a look at one in store.

Two others that I've yet to look closely at are:

Carbatec have an illuminated magnifier. It comes with a 3 dioptre lens as standard, but you can also get an accessory add-on lens that doubles the magnification. Fluorescent Magnifying Lamp : CARBA-TEC It's at the higher end of teh price range, but if it's good quality, it might be worth the extra price.

Hare & Forbes also have one in their catalogue. No mention of the power of the lens in the specifications. L282 | HL-22FR 22W Fluorescent Work Light | machineryhouse.com.au Might also be worth a look.

I'll look at the Jaycar one first. If it doesn't measure up, I'll check out the Hare & Forbes and Carbatec ones next time I drive down to the big smoke.

So, that's my 10 cents worth....

Hope that info is useful.

Regards,

Roy

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

I have an older model with an 8" round flouro tube and fits into a base which is filled with lead pellets and sits on the bench. That can be very handy, but does take up abot 250mm diameter of bench space.It's about 8X magnification and I used it for many years repairing PC boards. It worked very well, but the lens to subject distance can get to be a problem - I suggest that you check this out if you are going to be working under the magnifier / light head. I had barely enough room to get a soldering iron in at times. I have no experience with floor mounted or LED versions.

Bob

Images attached. My apologies for confusion about 8X magnification - when i cleaned the stand before taking photographs the "8" was really a "3"
_DSC1653.jpg_DSC1654.jpg_DSC1655.jpg_DSC1658.jpg_DSC1656.jpg_DSC1657.jpg

Bob

Thanks Bob for the pics and Roy for the technicals.
Alas, the quest continues for that holy grail [or figment of imagination].
Should it all fall through then I'll be onto your suggestions - it's only just so long I can keep fumbling around.

I have one similar to Bob's, except with a G-clamp base for fitting to whatever work surface.

For some reason, it doesn't work, though. Bought a brand new tube, which didn't make any difference. One day I'll pop the box on the base open and see if it's solid-state or has a start cap or whatever.

One day...

... maybe this w/e. If I can't get it going, it may be worth stripping out the electrics and retrofitting some LED strips instead.

Geez Col what a coincidence, I was just looking at getting one for the miniature work, was looking at this one: LED Light Magnifying Lamp 5 Diopter Magnifyer Desk Stand Glass Lens Round Head | eBay

Hare & Forbes had what looked like a good setup on special a few months back which was LED lit and I would have bought one except that I felt I should see it first - which is impossible out here in the sticks of course - and now they don't appear to be available, at least from the online store anyway. Would be interested to see a review on any you guy's buy or look at in store.

DON'T use a magnifier with a regular incandescent bulb. While turning I had one ignite a shaving and drop the ember into the other shavings on the floor. Caught it before I left the cellar for lunch. Otherwise....