Magnifying Light

[Chris Vandiver]

Does anyone here have a preference and/or a link for a magnifying light? I need one for saw filing, etc.

Chris

[Jim Koepke]

My preference when saw filing is to have a good light source and wearable magnifiers.

My current practice is to wear a pair of readers over my bifocals to allow a close look. Occasionally a large magnifier is used along with the glasses to get a closer view of any pitting or burrs.

Most magnifying lamps are only X2 or X3 which does not give that good of a view for the clumsiness involved.

Also note, I do have a cheap magnifying lamp that is handy at times, but not much for saw filing.

jim

[lowell holmes]

Mine came from Woodcraft some time ago. You might try the link below.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AC-Powered-White-LED-Circular-Magnifier-Work-Lamp/

[David Gendron]

+1 for Jim's option! Mine( lamp) is allright but nothing great unfortunatly... and they are quite$$.

[Josh Bowman]

I bought mine at Office Max. It sits on the bench and when it swings, it stays put. I uses a florescent blub, so doesn't get to hot. I like the desk type because I can move it where I want it. Actually bought another to go on my other bench the other day. I bought some cheapo's from HF and they keep moving when they are swung, and the magnifier has to be put to close up.

[george wilson]

I can't deal with working under a fixed lens. I use 4X reading glasses.

[Josh Bowman]

I can't deal with working under a fixed lens. I use 4X reading glasses.
I'm like you and have had to use different magnifiers for years to work on electronics or mechanical lab scales. I tried using head worn magnifiers and found I had to keep my body in the same positon. Saw filing requires the saw to stay put so you had to stay put. Fine for a few minutes....but I got cramped after awhile. So I found the Office Max type, nothing particular about that brand...get one that has a glass lens, good coolish light (your hand is under the light) and will stay where you move it (cheap one's will move keep moving up or down or left or right). The desk style works good....might could have a brighter light. But here's what I do, I keep the light/lens about 3 to 4 inchs above the saws edge, that gives me about 6 to 8 inches of saw to file under the lens before I have to move the lens. With the lens so close, I don't get as much magnification, but can move my body as far up or down as I wish and not lose focus. With it being a sit on the desk type, if needed, I can just scoot the light, but almost alway it will cover the width of the saw vise. Another nice thing about not being able to see but 6 to 8 inches of teeth, you don't get lost as easy as with no lens.
I want to try this some time. The old timers would put the bench and vise in front of a bright window. They would darken the shop and black out portions of the window so only the teeth were lit up. The pictures I saw seem to make it very easy to keep up with where you are and how well your doing.

[George Sanders]

I got a lighted magnifier for a buck and a half at a church rummage sale. It retracts and I have other regular retractable lights that give plenty of light, all of which were picked up for less than two dollars each.

[G. Brad Schmidt]

It just so happens I got an email this morning from Peachtree regarding the subject...

Click HERE (http://www.ptreeusa.com/edirect_010810.htm)


http://www.clicksmilies.com/auswahl/ernaehrung004.gif (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/ernaehrung/food-drink-smilies.html)

[Halgeir Wold]

Being an electronics specialist by trade, this thingie became my most important tool some years ago....
It has also become one of my most important private tools too!
Takes a while to get used to, but it's quite invaluable!!!! It's called "Optivisor"......