davidg Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 I thought I'd share this tip which I discovered today. Using a glass magnifier with integral LED illumination as an aid to more accurate cutting on the scroll saw, I often have the problem of moisture from my breath condensing onto the cold glass surface of the magnifier lens, which severely restricts visibility to the point of being unusable. Whilst cutting today, I had the idea of using the bellows blower nozzle on the Hegner to keep the magnifier lens clear of mist whilst cutting. By positioning the blower nozzle to one side of the magnifier, so that air is blown across the upper surface of lens, it worked the same way as interior windscreen de-misting vents on a vehicle. As I already have a separate extraction nozzle to the rear of the blade, I found that I didn't really need my original bellows tube to blow dust from the front of the blade at the same time. I would imagine that an aquarium air pump setup would also work to prevent the magnifier lens from misting. WayneMahler, OCtoolguy, jollyred and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Have you tried Saliva? It's free and is used as a defogger. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankEV Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 14 hours ago, davidg said: ... I often have the problem of moisture from my breath condensing onto the cold glass surface of the magnifier lens, which severely restricts visibility to the point of being unusable. .... I'm wondering, are you wearing a dust mask? If you are I'm very supprised your breath would hit the lens. If, not, I highly suggest that you should to protect your lungs, and it will probably prevent your breath from hitting the lens. It also seems you must have your face VERY close to the lens. You might want to investigate a different mag light with a higher magification so you do not need to be so close. My lens gets very dusty and needs to be cleaned frequently, but I never get condensation from my breath and my saw is in an unheated shop where temps get quite cool during the winter months. OCtoolguy and Dan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 I thought the same thing as @FrankEV. How close are you to the lens? Also, there are lens defoggers that work pretty good but your workaround seems fine. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 I have an Elipse dust mask and the exhale vent is in the front.. This happens to my magnifier lens in the cold sometimes.. Many dust mask exhale in the front.. so I'm now wondering what mask you all wear that doesn't.. LOL.. being a autobody tech for many years.. I've worn many different brands and styles of both dust mask and respirators.. I'm trying to think of one that exhales on the sides etc.. where it wouldn't fog up a cold lens.. https://www.amazon.com/GVS-SPR456-Elipse-Nuisance-Respirator/dp/B01663XTM0/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=elipse+dust+mask&qid=1615125584&sr=8-7 You can go to a autoparts store ( actually even walmart etc has it.. product by rain ex called Never Fog.. helps tremendously BUT it's not always 100% effective.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Moreton Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 I just used the Harbor Freight ones OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 Have you tried RainX OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankEV Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 2 hours ago, kmmcrafts said: I have an Elipse dust mask and the exhale vent is in the front.. I wear the cheap dust masks that have no exhale vent, just exhale through the material. Chnge it frequently for a new one when it starts to get dirty with dust. Not unlike the ones you get in a drug store. I do prefer the molded style w/ the 2 elastic head bands. kmmcrafts and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg Posted March 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 (edited) Thank you all for your comments. I did initially wear a dust mask, but as I'm only using the saw for short periods at the moment, and have an efficient cyclone extractor drawing dust from behind the blade, as well as a modified extraction chamber around the blade area below the table, rightly or wrongly, I feel safe enough to go without a mask at the moment. Having said that, if I were to cut mdf (not likely) or exotic woods, or cut regularly for extended periods, I would wear a mask as an added precaution. I also have a digital air quality meter positioned near the scroll saw, which reads well in the safe zone when using the saw. I always wear ear defenders and safety specs however, although the frame over ears gives some discomfort over time as the ear defenders compress the ears into the spectacle frames. Re. the magnifier, yes, my face is fairly close to the lens, so I could look into a different magnification/vocal length in the future. Edited March 7, 2021 by davidg kmmcrafts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted March 8, 2021 Report Share Posted March 8, 2021 2 hours ago, davidg said: Thank you all for your comments. I did initially wear a dust mask, but as I'm only using the saw for short periods at the moment, and have an efficient cyclone extractor drawing dust from behind the blade, as well as a modified extraction chamber around the blade area below the table, rightly or wrongly, I feel safe enough to go without a mask at the moment. Having said that, if I were to cut mdf (not likely) or exotic woods, or cut regularly for extended periods, I would wear a mask as an added precaution. I also have a digital air quality meter positioned near the scroll saw, which reads well in the safe zone when using the saw. I always wear ear defenders and safety specs however, although the frame over ears gives some discomfort over time as the ear defenders compress the ears into the spectacle frames. Re. the magnifier, yes, my face is fairly close to the lens, so I could look into a different magnification/vocal length in the future. What magnification is your light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted March 8, 2021 Report Share Posted March 8, 2021 Laugh all you want, but I use Saliva! I've been a SCUBA instructor for over 30 years and if it's good enough to keep my mask from fogging, it's good enough to keep my magnifier from fogging It's free and it works! Rolf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted March 8, 2021 Report Share Posted March 8, 2021 On 3/6/2021 at 4:18 PM, new2woodwrk said: Have you tried Saliva? It's free and is used as a defogger. Funny, but true, used that on my mask for diving. RJF new2woodwrk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted March 8, 2021 Report Share Posted March 8, 2021 Whats wrong with these people that design magnifiers. A wiper and sprayer, washer solution should come with it. RJF new2woodwrk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted March 8, 2021 Report Share Posted March 8, 2021 5 hours ago, teachnlearn said: Whats wrong with these people that design magnifiers. A wiper and sprayer, washer solution should come with it. RJF For the price some of them are I agree.. they should have a built in vacuum line somewhere too.. The glass on the bottom side of mine will get covered in dust. I use the RainEx window cleaner in my car so I keep a spray bottle of it to wash the magnifier lens and car windows etc.. I think this has prevented mine from fogging up.. Never put the two together until this topic came up but I haven't had fogging for a few years.. I played it off to the more mild winters we had the last couple years.. Not an issue now that I put heat in the shop.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted March 8, 2021 Report Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) Since I added the dust collection to my saws instead of the blower I no longer wear a mask when cutting. I know the dust collection is effective because I can't even smell the the baltic birch anymore when I cut it. The HEPA filter in my Festool MIDI is great. I used to wear a half mask because I couldn't stand the smell. I also wear glasses so I am not that close to the magnifier. Edited March 8, 2021 by Rolf kmmcrafts and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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