Thread: Microscope Examination

Joe,
Thanks for your reply. Looks like it is off to Radio Shack. I'll take a look at the edges at 60x. I am having trouble getting a good edge on a new razor that looks fine at 16x. Maybe the 60x will show me something. If not - at least it is a good excuse for a new toy.
Bob

I can't use that Radio Shack microscope without getting dizzy. I end up using a 30X jeweller's loup, but it's not quite enough magnification. I'd sure like to purchase a good quality scope. Can anyone recommend where I can purchase a reasonably priced scope with adequate magnification and a good light source? I live overseas.

Hal

I don't know how much you want to spend, but you might try here.

http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?category=43

You might try searching google for a surplus company in your country. They abound here in the U.S.

Dave

Originally Posted by halwilson

I can't use that Radio Shack microscope without getting dizzy. I end up using a 30X jeweller's loup, but it's not quite enough magnification. I'd sure like to purchase a good quality scope. Can anyone recommend where I can purchase a reasonably priced scope with adequate magnification and a good light source? I live overseas.Hal

Hal, have you seen these? Some guys on the knife forums have had great things to say about them. Built in light source and 200x mag:

http://www.compuvisor.com/qx5diblmicom.html

Most of the time I use a 40x loupe to do a general inspection of the edge. if there is a real problem it will tell me. The resolution quality of the loupe is really more important than the magnification. The RS scope maybe 100x but the quality at that power is poor. I can usually see more imperfections with my 40 than with that 100 believe it or not. like the others here I go for eveness in the edge and very fine striations with no visible wire edge. If I'm having a real problem I can go to the heavy artillery I have a Nikon stereo Microscope from my rockhounding days it goes to about 100x but the resolution is extremely high and even the best edge looks very rough under that scope.

Nice scope!!! Thanks!

Thanks guys for all the tips and links. Hal

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Most of the time I use a 40x loupe to do a general inspection of the edge.

Greetings,
Where would I acquire one of these?

I believe you can find them on ebay. Let us know if you can't and we'll locate other sources for you. Good Luck. Lynn

Hi RIk,

You might want to hold off on that.

In another thread, Lynn and I are talking about how you find micro nicks in a decent edge under higher magnifications. We didn't see them at 60x, and they do make a difference. I think we both saw them with the Radio Shack microscope.

I suggest you find that thread. It might be on the Yahoo site.

In any case, there's a good reason to use a higher magnification. Although I agree it's not what I'd like, the Radio Shack microscope let's you get in closer.

I have a 30x loupe and a problem I have with it is that I need to get my face too close to the edge for comfort (you're right on top of it). With the 40x it would be even closer unless it's made in some special way.

I also think a good 40x loop is a lot more than $10. For your purposes you may want to accept the inconveniences and just get the $10 microscope.

I've seen pocket microscopes on Ebay and the Internet that look like the Radio Shack one but have a stand where you can secure the razor. That could make big difference with the focusing issue. They're a ot more expensive $20-40. I've just sprung for a 200x USB microscope that you use with your computer. It was about $70 before shipping. It has a stand, and you view it on your computer screen, so you can save pictures (and video).

Originally Posted by Rik

Greetings,
Where would I acquire one of these?