Building a magnifying station.

[Glenn Lefley]

Has any one else built a unit for carving or dying, etc, for when we need a closer view? Found this on instructables. I think I would move the mounting points to the outside of the mirror so you could get both hands under mirror and tools. Or possibly a piano hinge mounted on top to flip up out of way if needed. Any engineers out there with some ideas for a good build?

 

[Doug Freeman]

There are many magnifying lamps with weighted or clamp on bases and articulating arms available, I have 3 of them. Is there a specific reason you want to reinvent the wheel?

 

[Spike Cornelius]

I just use a binocular loupe. But then, I’ve been making jewelry all of my life.

 

[Brian Gustin]

I use these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752B9YGV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Mark Jundanian]

I use these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752B9YGV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't know if you wear eye glasses, but I'm wondering if those are compatable?

 

[Kent Jaffrey]

I use the same ones as Brian linked and they can work with glasses as long as you are working at a consistent distance. If you need to look around it can be a little rough (so don’t keep forgetting stuff across the shop as I have a tendency to Do.

 

[Sandy Jarrell]

I use these from Woodcraft https://www.woodcraft.com/products/2-way-headband-magnifier-grobet

 

[Glenn Lefley]

I don't know if you wear eye glasses, but I'm wondering if those are compatable?

Yes I do wear progressive lenses with a slight prism added to bring my vision in line . So once I put my glasses on in the morning I can’t take them off or my eyes take over 1/2 an hour to adjust to not have that prism effect in the mix. I do have two sets of those. But was looking for a dedicated large magnifying surface to put stuff under for extended periods of time.

 

[Glenn Lefley]

There are many magnifying lamps with weighted or clamp on bases and articulating arms available, I have 3 of them. Is there a specific reason you want to reinvent the wheel?

I always try and reinvent the wheel. It’s called progress. I find the dedicated round mirrors to be expensive and small. Was looking for a lighted large surface to work under,

 

[stu senator]

I have an old lamp with a magnifying lens that is maybe what you want. See

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifying-D...t=&hvlocphy=9012028&hvtargid=pla-915134692705

a more modern version.

I used search with these terms

<magnifying glass with light and stand>

Lots of choices.
Stu

 

[Clifton C]

Glen, I had a square flexible sheet magnifier that looked similar to the one you show. (no Lights) It seemed like a flat fresnel lens, it did magnify but the image wasn't as "crisp" as I would have liked and as I recall there was some distortion, not sure if that was due to quality or some other factor. It's been a few years so they may have improved.