I need a magnifying lamp

[Brian Hale]

I'm looking to get a magnifying lamp for my sharpening station to help with handsaw sharpening and such. I've found lots of different models with price ranges from ~$49 to over $500.

The type i'm leaning towards has a rectangular lens around 7" x 5.5" and 5 - 8 diopter. I think this would be a better shape then the standard 5" diameter.

Any suggestions?

TIA!

Brian :)

[Thomas Knighton]

Check out Grizzly. IIRC, there were some in their 2008 catalog. Not sure if there were any that met your specs though.

Tom

[Brian Hale]

Thanks Thomas!

I looked at the ones they have but i want something with a higher power lens then the 1.75 power they offer.

FYI, 1.75 power = 3-diopter

Brian :)

[Greg Sznajdruk]

My hats off to you Brian. The last person I saw sharpening a SAW was my Dad in the early 60. I've still have his hand saws and set and his saw vise, but when these saws need to be sharpened I send them out. It is nice to see that there are still people out there that take the time and learn how to sharpen saws by hand.

Greg

[Brian Hale]

Thanks Gary!

I'm still in the learning phase but it's not that complicated, just requires a bit of finesse. I just finished a Disston #9 that needed tons of work, missing teeth, no set, bent blade, etc. It took about 45 minutes to joint it (twice), file and set the teeth. Far from perfect but it cuts smooth and straight. ;)

You really should give it go, you may just surprise yourself!

Brian :)

[Thomas Knighton]

Thanks Thomas!

I looked at the ones they have but i want something with a higher power lens then the 1.75 power they offer.

FYI, 1.75 power = 3-diopter

Brian :)

Ah. I had no clue what diopter was. I thought they were all pretty much the same ;)

Learn something new every day :D. Thanks!

Tom

[Brian Hale]

Diopter/Power/Magnification %/Focal Length
3 = 1.75 = 75% = 13"
4 = 2.00 = 100% = 10"
5 = 2.25 = 125% = 8"
7 = 2.75 = 175% = 5.5"
8 = 3.00 = 200% = 5"
9 = 3.25 = 225% = 4.5"
11 = 3.75 = 275% = 3.75"
13 = 4.25 = 325% = 3"
16 = 5.00 = 400% = 2.5"
18 = 5.50 = 450% = 2.25"
20 = 6.00 = 500% = 2"

[Thomas Knighton]

I getcha now ;)

Tom