[DavefromMD]

Any of you have suggestions for a desktop magnifier for working on trains?

 

[Tom_C]

Do you wear glasses now? I have some of these, but I wear progressive lenses, so sometimes it's hard to line up my glasses with the magnifiers:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0769LQPGZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They work fairly well though, with a light and 5 magnifying lenses.

 

[wvgca]

i have a few different ones, small magnifier screen [2.5 inch] on a set of helping hands, to a eight inch by eight inch screen type, but the one i use -more- frequently is a five inch in a semi flexible mount with a light built into it ... a desk type like the photo ..

i think the light helps more than the magnification, lol

 

[Toy train hobby]

This might be an option and may be worn with glasses, as well.

https://www.modeltrainforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=518026&stc=1&d=1576114144

 

[mesenteria]

Google - Opti-Visor

You can order lenses with different magnifications. 3X should be plenty for much HO scale fine-work.

 

[Robert_Ogle]

I am tempted to try these @ 16.99 with 2100+ good reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H8808H6/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A2TVO1AK6HUF1H&psc=1

 

[Lemonhawk]

If you wear glasses, it gets a little more complicated. I use the old hood style that just barely fits over the glasses. Dr's and Dentists use some sort of magnifiers that look like glasses with magnifiers attached, another solution but they are a little expensive.

 

[ogaugeguy]

I am tempted to try these @ 16.99 with 2100+ good reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H8808H6/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A2TVO1AK6HUF1H&psc=1

This appears to be the same one Tom_C mentioned but branded with a name and costing nearly $3.00 more.

 

[Robert_Ogle]

This appears to be the same one Tom_C mentioned but branded with a name and costing nearly $3.00 more.

Nice catch ty

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I use the Brightech LightView PRO. The combination of magnification and light on the subject is the key, works great.

 

[Dennis461]

Mine

 

[flyboy2610]

I bought this from Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/desktop-magnifying-lamp-60642.html

I have had no problems with it whatsoever. The small loupe built into the main lens has come in very handy at times. I have no hesitation recommending it. :thumbsup:

 

[tomh]

RE: Magnifier for Detailed Work

Previous poster suggested OptiVisor. Totally agree. A head-mounted OptiVisor enables taking your magnification anywhere you take your head. I have multiple workstations so I'd have to move a clamp-style portable magnifier lamp whenever I go from one workstation to another or from basement where I normally work to upstairs for a quick detailed task up there. Whereas with a light-weight OptiVisor, it just goes where my head goes. And the lens frame quickly hinges up and out of the way while still on my head for normal sighting tasks inbetween detailed magnification tasks. I really like the OptiVisor.

OptiVisor produced by Donegan Optical company in Kansas. Variety of lens magnifications. Here's Amazon suite of OptiVisor headband magnification options. https://www.amazon.com/Donegan-Opti...+optivisor&qid=1576432732&s=industrial&sr=1-3

You can purchase lenses separately; however, they cost about 60% of what a fully-equipped head band costs. When I was researching them, I wasn't sure about the magnification options for my uses. In 2011, I opted to buy 2 headband sets: a 3 diopter (1.75 magnification) and a 5 diopter (2.25 magnification). I also opted to buy a Quasar LED Lighting System ... https://www.amazon.com/Quasar-Light...g+System+for+Optivisors&qid=1576432986&sr=8-1

I find the 3 diopter lens with Quasar LED Lighting System is a good all-around package. You can get a 2.5 magnification single loupe to mount on your headset for those occasions when the added magnification is helpful. It swings out of the way when not in use. https://www.amazon.com/Donegan-Opti...JSKSQQSKG74&psc=1&refRID=8H5TXWW65JSKSQQSKG74

So, a 3 diopter Optivisor headband with Quasar LEDs with 2.5 magnification Loupe is an optimal suite for any kind of detail work. Have had no lens scratches in past 8 years ... just take care of handling/storing them.

Regards,

Tom

 

[MacDaddy55]

Micro Marks Catalogue

GRJ got my third one from Micro Marks and boy does this current model make a difference!! Even with my glasses on the lens is terrific and the Light is fantastic. It also has more mobility than the other two models I've had:thumbsup:

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

What model did you get?

 

[mopac]

Might be time to move to larger scale trains.

 

[Mike Keester]

Might be time to move to larger scale trains.

Prototypes?

 

[DavefromMD]

One similar to the one posted by Dennis461

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Might be time to move to larger scale trains.

I've already moved up to O-gauge, and I don't have nearly enough room for G-scale.

 

[Lemonhawk]

G scale goes out in the garden GRJ!