Need quality magnification device to see what I am doing!!

rodauto

rodauto

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I have various magnifying devises that are.... less than satisfying. Looking for a bench mounted or visor type magnifier that will work for me to do regular gun smithing and repair work without having to work by feel!!
Not even sure what magnification I need for this so looking for advice. I am willing to pay in the $200.00 dollar range if necessary as am tired of what I have where the magnification is so poor that the resulting view is so distorted that it is a waste of time.

Rodney
 
Blast's suggestion is good. They're commonly available and some dealers have them in different magnifications. check kbc tools, they've got a good variety.

Personally I hate them, but there is the headband style that some people like.
 
Opti-visor. Just make sure you don't get the one with the shorter focal length. 10-14 inches works well without having to shove your head into the work.
 
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Thanks guys will check out the suggestions, having problems with the one I have now that is about 3 inches across but gets so distorted when trying to see even serial numbers that it is unusable!!!
 
Same as "gaff" - Lee Valley tools - got one YEARS ago - changed the flouro bulb a few times - use it all the time as a bench lite even when not using for magnification. Great for metal checkering because of big mag glass. Same goes for the dentist glasses - last time at dentist forgot to ask where he gets his.
 
x2 for Opti-visor for the general use kind of light magnification.

The dental loupes tend towards more mag than the Opti-visors. That may be what you want though. Yep. Watch the focal length.

Been to the optometrist of late? Check with them about a set of reading glasses.

If you have an astigmatism or other eye issues, it may be the only suitable route, to deal with any issues before they cause much more problems.

Cheers
Trev
 
I have AMD and regularly need magnification to see small stuff now. I use a bench mounted magnifier that has a round fluorescent tube around the 4 or 5" lens. This is good for small screws and checking cases etc. I also use a rectangular magnifier that has a neck strap and feet that sit on your chest as well as several hand lens in various different powers.
 
I have used an Opti-Visor for years and wouldn't be without it. They come in various magnifications. I got the 3x and added a 2x swing out loupe for it so I can get 6x if I need it but 3x is generally fine for nearly all my uses. I have a magnifying bench light as well but it is not nearly as handy as the Opti-Visor.
 
I've used half a dozen different brands of the boom mounted magnifiers. They work but for anything bulkier such as rifles that need to be turned frequently I find that the boom gets in the way frequently. And with the lens being just a single magnifying lens the sharpness and clarity around the edges is less than ideal on any of them.

For myself I've gone with a good quality set of readers and a head band LED light. The light is where I look and the lenses on the decent readers are pretty clear.

For normal bench work and reading I use 1.25 readers. For the close in stuff I've got a couple of 2.5's. This combo works pretty well.

The biggie is the head light. Getting older I find that I can't see details in the shadows any longer. And it doesn't get more shadowed and dark than peering down into the guts of a dark blued rifle receiver or handgun action. A good light is just as important as the decent lenses.

I've never used a set of jeweler's magnifiers though. The stronger readers do the job for me.

In any event serious consider how much you shift the work around during your tinkering and how often it's likely you'd ding the barrel or stock against the support boom. I admit it, I'm probably clumsy but I'm pretty happy without the boom light/lens.

For the serious close up work I use readers that are a couple of powers stronger so I can get in a little closer.
 
I have the bench mounted light, it works....OK I think I just need a better quality one and maybe the optivisor type as well. Nothing more frustrating than almost....being able to see that screw or the markings on a barrel!!!!
Just hate ordering and then not liking what I get. What stores in the GTA would have decent quality I wonder. I know Lee Valley is at least within driving distance for me but I'm afraid to go there cause I like woodworking tools also. Went to Busy Bee once for a $10.00 clamp they had in their flier, $300.00 later I went home, now my wife will not let me go there unchaperoned!!!!

Rodney
 
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