Thread: Ebay microscope for checking bevel etc....

I know some guys are looking for cheap microscopes to check the bevel on their straight razors espicially when honing. I bought one last night, figured it would be easier than the small ones from Radioshack. My winning bid was $.99, with shipping it was $15.98. Will let you guys know how it works out when it arrives. This link is for an identical microscope. Thought somebody might be interested. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget
Hope this helps!
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Del

$15 S&H???! Looks like the seller did a little "compensating" for the low winning amount!

Originally Posted by sstulken80

$15 S&H???! Looks like the seller did a little "compensating" for the low winning amount!

Thats what I thought also..$15 is alittle high.

I agree with the statement that the shipping makes up for the low price. But then what are people on here spending on the small hand held Radioshack microscopes? Comes out to similar price. One advantage is that this is stationary and both your hands are free to handle your straight razor. The Radioshack microscope costs $9.99 plus $6.05 for shipping. Total $16.04. Your call!!
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Del

Sorry to disappoint you but this won't work too well for your blades as it's a compound microscope and these usually have a very short focal length (distance between the object and the lens). Added to the fact it is meant for transparent objects in general (lit from below the object) won't leave you a lot of space to add a light from above.
At this sort of price it won't have very good lenses either but you may be able to use the 75x magnification with a bright torch or light above and to the side.
I have noticed that many old stereo microscopes from decent manufacturers like American Optical and Bausch & Lomb often go cheaply on ebay. Anyone else looking for a scope could do a lot worse than one of these.

Originally Posted by kimbal

I agree with the statement that the shipping makes up for the low price. But then what are people on here spending on the small hand held Radioshack microscopes? Comes out to similar price. One advantage is that this is stationary and both your hands are free to handle your straight razor. The Radioshack microscope costs $9.99 plus $6.05 for shipping. Total $16.04. Your call!!
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Del

My plan is to go out to the local Radio Shack and pay nothing for shipping.

Originally Posted by sstulken80

My plan is to go out to the local Radio Shack and pay nothing for shipping.

Well drat. My local Radio Shack doesn't have 'em, so I lose those coolness points. I'll try a couple other local stores before I give up and buy online though...

Have to agree with Murph. I've found it much more useful to have the illumination above the razor, rather than coming from beneath. I bought an old-fashion 'scope on eBay with a light underneath the stage, but I still mostly use my $10 Radio Shack hand-held in preference.

Originally Posted by sstulken80

Well drat. My local Radio Shack doesn't have 'em, so I lose those coolness points. I'll try a couple other local stores before I give up and buy online though...

On the Radio Shack website, there's a function that shows which stores have it in stock.