Rockytime Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 I have an LED magnifying light with a 5 diopter lens. I only use the light for illumination. I scroll using a magnifying glasses. I scroll with my nose rally close to the table and hunched over uncomfortably. I was hoping the magnifier lamp would work for me but it is too powerful. The magnifier needs to almost touch the table to be in focus. I found an LED magnifier with a 1.25 diopter lens for $25 on ebay. That's really cheap so I won't know how good it is until I get it this coming week. Hopefully it will permit me to sit upright and still view the blade and pattern well. There really is no question here except I'm wondering if other scrollers use a low diopter LED lamp. I have found them hard to find. The photo shows how close 5 diopters need to be to the table to be in focus. lawson56, OCtoolguy and bobscroll 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crupiea Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 I have a magnifying headset. It came with a bunch of lenses of different strengths and you can use one or two strengths at the same time depending on what your needs are. pretty handy as i can use it for other stuff too. WayneMahler and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 My Daughter bought me a small mag,I like it. don't know the power,But with my new saw I can't clamp it any where. I am wanting to get a bigger one that I can mount to my table.For now I am using my mag glasses. WayneMahler and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted April 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 I use these. I love them and they work well. However I still need to be to close to the table. I'm hoping to be able to sit back and scroll. These are the ones I use. In fact I have four pair. I love them for a lot of things. OCtoolguy and lawson56 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 46 minutes ago, Rockytime said: I have an LED magnifying light with a 5 diopter lens. I only use the light for illumination. I scroll using a magnifying glasses. I scroll with my nose rally close to the table and hunched over uncomfortably. I was hoping the magnifier lamp would work for me but it is too powerful. The magnifier needs to almost touch the table to be in focus. I found an LED magnifier with a 1.25 diopter lens for $25 on ebay. That's really cheap so I won't know how good it is until I get it this coming week. Hopefully it will permit me to sit upright and still view the blade and pattern well. There really is no question here except I'm wondering if other scrollers use a low diopter LED lamp. I have found them hard to find. The photo shows how close 5 diopters need to be to the table to be in focus. I think mine from H/F is 3 diopter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 15 minutes ago, lawson56 said: My Daughter bought me a small mag,I like it. don't know the power,But with my new saw I can't clamp it any where. I am wanting to get a bigger one that I can mount to my table.For now I am using my mag glasses. When you get it, try to clamp it to something other than your saw. Eliminate all the vibration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 (edited) There is a very large range in the quality of magnifier lights. I looked at a bunch until I bought my Ottlite with a 3x and 5x lens. The optical quality is very good. I use the 3 diopter lens and it works well for me. Edited April 22, 2019 by Sycamore67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted April 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 21 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said: There is a verge large range in the quality of magnifier lights. I looked at a bunch until I bought my Ottlite with a 3x and 5x lens. The optical quality is very good. I use the 3 diopter lens and it works well for me. I had an Ottlite desk lamp. Very nice but it was not a magnifier just a light. I'll Google the Ottlite magnifier. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Not sure if the lenses come out on the one I have or not.. But Bushton sells a mag light and they also sell a replacement 5" 3x lens.. somewhere when saw shopping I seen someone selling the mag light with 3x and 5x lens might have been when I was looking at Hegners site.. Advancedmachinery.com ? Here is the lens from Bushton http://stores.bushtonhawkstore.com/3-diop-lens-for-mag-light/ OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted April 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Well everyone, I'm not as smart as I would like people to think. I have been under the impression that X and diopter were the same thing. Googling magnifiers I discover 5 diopter is actually 2.5X or 2.5 times magnification. 3 diopter is 1.5X. I ordered a 1.25 X magnifier so I'll see how it is when I get it this week. For about $25 it may be a piece of crap. I also forgot about focal distance. It's all a learning experience. OCtoolguy and Scrappile 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 11 minutes ago, Rockytime said: Well everyone, I'm not as smart as I would like people to think. I have been under the impression that X and diopter were the same thing. Googling magnifiers I discover 5 diopter is actually 2.5X or 2.5 times magnification. 3 diopter is 1.5X. I ordered a 1.25 X magnifier so I'll see how it is when I get it this week. For about $25 it may be a piece of crap. I also forgot about focal distance. It's all a learning experience. Well don't feel bad.. I thought the same thing until you just mentioned it.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 The one I bought at H/F works great. $40 reg but with the 25% coupon that came this month how can you go wrong? I did spend the $30 to upgrade to an LED bulb. Much brighter, cooler and cheaper to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharleyL Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Do you have an old cell phone around? Some of the better ones can be used to enlarge an image quite well, and even take a picture when ever you want. Make a bracket or purchase one and attach it to your saw. Some of the cell phones work very well for this. Charley OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Oh I remember the days when I used my magnifier as a light source only. Those days long passed and now won't be without one to scroll with. No need to hunch over just set to the perfect height and lock it down with the setscrews. Best invention they ever made. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted April 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 19 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said: Oh I remember the days when I used my magnifier as a light source only. Those days long passed and now won't be without one to scroll with. No need to hunch over just set to the perfect height and lock it down with the setscrews. Best invention they ever made. The problem with 5 diopters is that it is a very short focal length. It has to be very close to the subject. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 18 minutes ago, Rockytime said: The problem with 5 diopters is that it is a very short focal length. It has to be very close to the subject. Yea I have no idea what mine is and have no idea what a diopter is I do know it works. My next one will be LED. Still have old fluorescent tubes. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyred Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Since I had cataract surgery a couple of years ago, I need to wear reading glasses to see closer than about 4 feet. When I'm at the scroll saw I use a pair of safety glasses with a built in magnifier. This is set near the bottom of the lense and the rest of it is just clear plastic. I experimented with various strengths of reading glasses ($1.00 a pair at Dollar Tree), till I found the strength that worked for me, then ordered that strength of safety glasses. Now I can sit comfortably and still see the line to cut very clearly. When I get up from the saw, I can still see through the glasses without having to take them off. And I have all those other strength glasses laying around to help when I'm doing other things I need to see clearly. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 I have a smaller diameter magnifier with a ring of LEDs around the edge. I would have preferred it a little further away from the top arm of the saw, but the insert area on the Hegner almost fills the lens at a good magnification for detailed work. I thought about experimenting using periscope reading/TV glassed in combination with the magnifier, so that I wouldn't need to look downwards whilst sawing, just straight ahead. The workpiece view would be at 90 degrees to the line of sight, but I don't know if that idea would work, or be practical (the top saw arm may obscure the view somewhat). I've noticed that some engravers are using microscopes at a similar 90 degree to the eyepiece configuration, but for scrolling, I think that would be overkill, with the microscope probably and mounting bracket costing more than a high end saw. If I was scrolling for long periods of time, I may experiment with a head brace support. Something on the lines of a cushioned curved headrest, mounted above and in front of the saw. As the head tips forward to look downwards on the workpiece, the curved, fixed position support makes contact with the forehead, thus receiving tension on the neck muscles. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Long ago I used a head band magnifier, it killed my neck. I went to a ring lamp magnifier. Originally a salvaged fluorescent tube one but I did not like the light and was always worried that he arm on my Hawk would break the tube when a blade broke. I now have an Led magnifier, not absolutely sure which Diopter. I can wear my glasses and sit comfortably, no more crick in my neck. This may answere some questions Diopter Chart for picking a ring lamp magnifier. Diopter Power Magnification Focal length Viewing area 3 1.75X 75% 13” 5” circle 5 2.25X 125% 8” 5” circle Focal length is the distance from the bottom of the lens to your work. OCtoolguy, WayneMahler, Rockytime and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Okay I have the solution, only, you young whipper-snappers will not remember them. You need one of those magnifying thingies they use to set in front of the old small screen TV sets. Mount it in front of your saw, reach around it to scroll! Both my magnifiers have to be close to the work. They are a 2.5X and a 1.5X and there is not much difference in focal length that I can tell. I do know that the one with the LED is too bright now that I have had cataract surgery. I may have to experiment with some different bulbs for it. a crupiea, OCtoolguy and lawson56 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 (edited) Still do not know what mine is. Not written on it anywhere. I do use reading glasses all the time when in the shop so I use them in conjunction with the magnifier and sit very comfortable scrolling away. Being retired and under no deadlines I scroll when I want. If I get tired I am done for the day. Still in pen mode so no scrolling till about June and will start the saws up again. Have to love retired life. Just was at the eye doctor last week. Was having some pain in right eye. He put me through all the tests and boy there is surely alot of them had more eye drops put in my eye than I ever used. Have 25/20 vision. No cataracts and no glaucoma. Do need reading glasses but says I can use drugstore version for now. Attributes pain to allergies. I am trying to zero in on what it could be Have not been in the shop for 3 weeks now so know it is not anything from there. Maybe food or weather related. Some days nothing and some days bad. Edited April 22, 2019 by JTTHECLOCKMAN OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted April 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 5 hours ago, Rolf said: Long ago I used a head band magnifier, it killed my neck. I went to a ring lamp magnifier. Originally a salvaged fluorescent tube one but I did not like the light and was always worried that he arm on my Hawk would break the tube when a blade broke. I now have an Led magnifier, not absolutely sure which Diopter. I can wear my glasses and sit comfortably, no more crick in my neck. This may answere some questions Diopter Chart for picking a ring lamp magnifier. Diopter Power Magnification Focal length Viewing area 3 1.75X 75% 13” 5” circle 5 2.25X 125% 8” 5” circle Focal length is the distance from the bottom of the lens to your work. WOW! That's what I am talking about. Thanks for the chart. The cheap lamp I"m getting for $25 is 1.25X. If the lamp is too poorly built I'll just chuck it out and spend whatever I need to for a quality lamp. My eyes, neck and back will thank me. Also if 1.25 is not adequate I'll buy a #3 1.75X. The 13" focal length seems just right. Thanks everyone for your input. I"m going to put the 5 diopter lamp on my micro machining bench. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Everyone's eyes are different and the important thing is to find a lens that is comfortable to use with both eyes. I tried a couple of the same power but were totally different on how my eyes felt. A magnifier that works for me may not work for others. I tried a HF one and it was terrible for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 (edited) Working on electronics the parts are small and it takes magnification when looking for any fine cracks in the circuit board. I've used various magnifying over the years from microscopes to jeweler eyepieces, headsets, light with mag. There have been times in the field or at home that I didn't have a shop table. I have resorted to reading glasses of different magnifying powers. Sometimes I have even put them in front of my prescription glasses. No vibration, use the lights available, light, comfortable, cheap and fast to change power mag. One source of many. https://www.readers.com/ Pdf, the idea of the power of glasses or other mags. RJF Reading Chart Provided by Magnifying Aids at www.magnifyingaids.pdf Edited April 22, 2019 by teachnlearn OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 7 hours ago, Rolf said: Long ago I used a head band magnifier, it killed my neck. I went to a ring lamp magnifier. Originally a salvaged fluorescent tube one but I did not like the light and was always worried that he arm on my Hawk would break the tube when a blade broke. I now have an Led magnifier, not absolutely sure which Diopter. I can wear my glasses and sit comfortably, no more crick in my neck. This may answere some questions Diopter Chart for picking a ring lamp magnifier. Diopter Power Magnification Focal length Viewing area 3 1.75X 75% 13” 5” circle 5 2.25X 125% 8” 5” circle Focal length is the distance from the bottom of the lens to your work. Dipoter to mag is Dipoter/4 plus 1. ie 3/4= .75 plus 1=1.75 Dipoter 5/4= 1.25 plus 1 = 2.25 and on and on..... RJF OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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