Thread: Microscope

Wasn't sure exactly where to put this post, so here goes...

I bought a cheap little microscope from Hobby Lobby, that has 100x, 400x, and 900x powers. I tried fiddling with it a little last night trying to look at a few of my razors on the 100x setting. The others were way too much.

My question is, are seeing edges on any microscope a royal lesson in frustration, or is it that mine is just to much of a cheapie ($20 on sale)?

If I hold things just right, I can see where the edge is, but it all shows up black due to the light source coming from underneath. Above the bevel on the razor I can see some detail, but that really doesn't interest me. Basically, I can see if the edge is straight or jagged, not much else.

Is there a trick to angling the razor, having an additional light source, etc? Or should I return this bad boy and try something else?
Thanks

Originally Posted by Wxman2000

Wasn't sure exactly where to put this post, so here goes...

I bought a cheap little microscope from Hobby Lobby, that has 100x, 400x, and 900x powers. I tried fiddling with it a little last night trying to look at a few of my razors on the 100x setting. The others were way too much.

My question is, are seeing edges on any microscope a royal lesson in frustration, or is it that mine is just to much of a cheapie ($20 on sale)?

If I hold things just right, I can see where the edge is, but it all shows up black due to the light source coming from underneath. Above the bevel on the razor I can see some detail, but that really doesn't interest me. Basically, I can see if the edge is straight or jagged, not much else.

Is there a trick to angling the razor, having an additional light source, etc? Or should I return this bad boy and try something else?
Thanks

I made a ¼" bar about a half inch wide and ran it fore and aft on the stage, centered on the microscope lens, and taped it in place. I bought a cheapo flexible LED book light which I taped to the barrel of the scope and moved the light end to place the light in the best position to see reflections.

The focus range of these microscopes is very little so the bar acts as a stage and I can then move the blade along it and get the light right with the LED:
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

I made a ¼" bar about a half inch wide and ran it fore and aft on the stage, centered on the microscope lens, and taped it in place. I bought a cheapo flexible LED book light which I taped to the barrel of the scope and moved the light end to place the light in the best position to see reflections.

The focus range of these microscopes is very little so the bar acts as a stage and I can then move the blade along it and get the light right with the LED:
~Richard

Tried some of hone things you mentioned here, and I think that was my problem. Think I've got it down enough now to make it useful! Thanks!

I have no answers, was just interested......
I've been looking at a USB Microscope 20x-200x anyone have experience with these? Currently I use an eye loupe which works but lighting in my house is horrible, the ceilings are exposed wood beams with tongue and groove, so it doesn't reflect the light back no matter how many lights I have on.

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

I have no answers, was just interested......
I've been looking at a USB Microscope 20x-200x anyone have experience with these? Currently I use an eye loupe which works but lighting in my house is horrible, the ceilings are exposed wood beams with tongue and groove, so it doesn't reflect the light back no matter how many lights I have on.

THere ae many folks who have tried the cheap USB units, They didn't like them.

Here is an ongoing thread of possibilities
Which microscope-should-i-buy-inspecting-edge-my-razors
~Richard

I tried a 16x loupe...worked just ok until I cut the tip of my nose with the razor. That was when I decided that a microscope was the way to go...

I picked up two different used microscopes for really cheap. One was newer and more plasticky--sucks absolutely no way to get enough light onto the edge for visibility, and the focus adjustment was really crappy.

The other, a circa 70's model could work (yes, i'd strap on an LED flashlight and make razor specific platform), but it was broken beyond my desire to fix it.

SO i nearly could have bought a modern USB jobbie on the cheap end of the market, but the "reject" rate by the consumer ratings have me holding off that route for now.

The dice don't always add to seven. Consider it $ spent on education.

Do yourselves a favor and save your pennies and buy a decent magnifier. It's like a guy who drives a Yugo all his life and thinks that's fine for him until he gets into a real car and only then realizes the truth. Same with optics. if you look through a quality magnifier you'll never want to look through one of those cheapo units and you won't believe what you can see.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Do yourselves a favor and save your pennies and buy a decent magnifier. It's like a guy who drives a Yugo all his life and thinks that's fine for him until he gets into a real car and only then realizes the truth. Same with optics. if you look through a quality magnifier you'll never want to look through one of those cheapo units and you won't believe what you can see.

You know, my daily driving car is a 45 yr old VW Bug...

Originally Posted by Wxman2000

You know, my daily driving car is a 45 yr old VW Bug...

I'd like to see some pic's of that VW. I had a 69' with a crank back sunroof and 8 track, Every time it rained I got about a gallon of water dumped on me.....also had floor vent's via rust.......haha
Also had a 70' with slot mag's, Wider fiberglass flair's, S&S header/pipes, Hurst shifter, pop-out rear side windows, I fitted VW rabbit seats in it - never had the money to do anything with the engine.
Their was a guy that's local around here who ran one called Mighty mouse, I believe it ran 110 mph in a quarter mile. Every year they use to have a June Bug event at a drag strip running these air cooled VW an 1/8 mile, Had everything from modified Bug's to Rail jobs with turbo. they would all hit 100 plus some at 130