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Hello,
I bought a 10x triplet jewellers loupe which has come in handy. I am thinking though that I would like to get something a little bit more powerful. I bought, a while ago, loupe's that claimed to be 30x but comparing them to my 10x I think they have about the same magnification.
I would like to know if its worth getting more powerful magnification. I would also like to know what others have, how much it cost and where you got it from.
Because I'm a professional tattooer and needed loupes and microscopes for checking tattooing needle points I already had a Bausch & Lomb 45x stereo microscope. Bought it used years ago. I've got various B&L loupes in 7, 14 and 20 power. These are top of the line 'Hastings Triplets'.
After I started honing I bought this 30x eye loupe from Widget Supply here. Good loupe for the $ AFAIC. Some guys like those Radio Shack variable power hand held illuminated (LED) microscopes that go up to 100x or so. I didn't like the one I got at all with the inverted image and difficulty focusing. One thing I know for sure, the lower the power I use the better my honing looks. ;)
I started honing using a radioshack microscope that I bought for 10.00$ on amazon.com. It helped me a lot because it taught me how an edge looks compared to how it feels when things are set "right".
Since then my batteries died about a year ago and I haven't used it since...
to some they are like training wheels?
Others can't live without them.
May want to wait till I order this one in the next couple weeks. Veho - Shop Items
Saw one demonstrated at a sharpening gathering that was very very similar (the ProScope, I believe)
Just don't buy this one: https://www.schooloutfitters.com/cat...ts_id/PRO26392
I did, at less than half that price, and after much modification and frustration it simply isn't worth it. When the blade is between the lens and light source it is a loosing battle.
I've tried, and have, the Radio Shack microscope. For $13 it's good. But leave a lot to be desired. May be all you want though, and is worth a try.
Friend of mine sent a ProScope to me to try. If I had a microsoft system it might have worked out but I run Linux and the only program that would run with it was Skype. The images weren't good at all. Sent it back to my friend. I haven't tried any of the other similar systems. Good concept though if you can get the quality images.Quote:
Originally Posted by Soilarch
I picked up one of these
for 2.99, you can't really go wrong :) it works quite well. You do have to wait 2-3 weeks for shipping! as with all chinese gadget sites.. :)
I hate teeny, tiny objectives. My loupes have to have at least 30ml diam. lenses.
8-10 x is plenty for me.
That looks like the one I bought. There was no way that it was 30X it magnifed about the same as my 10X. Have you compared this to others?Quote:
Originally Posted by Undream
I have the Veho and love it.
A question then. Can you see the scratches on the bevel with the microscope like you can with a loupe? I was also reading a review on amazon about someone who had bought a 30x triplet and they were saying that because you had to get so lose to an object with it that there was no light left to illuminate the surface. Do you find that at all?Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
The light source is always critical. The 30x loupe I referred to @ Widget Supply has a 21mm objective. Plenty of light gathering but you still need to have a good lamp to illuminate the work. My B&L 20x is probably better optically, cost twice as much, but the objective is only 8.3mm. Still gets a great image but the eye relief (distance to focus) is only 1/2". The 30x is similar if not the same in eye relief but you work with them awhile and get the hang of it. The microscope is great and you can see things (scratches, whatever) much better but light is again an issue and an external light source is necessary.Quote:
Originally Posted by hendersr
hendersr,
As the loupes get higher in magnifying power, the working distance gets less, and 30x is not much at all !! It is your head that gets in the way of the light !!
For these higher powered loupes, I try and get the illumination to shine from the side, in-line with the blade and shining on the edge.
To get longer working distances a compound instrument is needed.
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
I use a Zeiss which is actually 3 in one and gives about 12x which is enough for me. I have an old Nikon Stereo Microscope which goes up to about 85x but I don't need that much detail.
With optics it's all about the quality and resolution and eye relief not the magnification.
I use a cheap Chinese USB microscope from ebay. It has been a great tool for me when I'm bevel setting. When I thought I was done on the 1K I actually had a long way to go.
I've been using this 20x/40x illuminated loupe for more than a year and I definitely recommend it for finding microchips. Works great.
I got it at widgetsupply.com
The illuminated 40x is my favorite..........
If you are serious about loupes and microscopes, try this site.....
microscopenet.com
Did you try Cheese webcamstudio? That's what I use to test such things under Linux, had some good results with it. Never tried an USB microscope though...Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
No I did not. Thanks for the tip though. My friend sold that pro-scope a long time back. TBH I'm not one who gets off on seeing ultra high res photos of bevels. It is alright but I can do what I have to do at 30 to 45x. Looking at a razors edge at a res that appears like a plan view of the rocky mountains is interesting but not instructive for me. YMMV. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jefpunk
just getting off on getting things to work with Linux, so you can silence all those who say 'oh, but with Linux, u can't do the things you want to do'
Well, not actually getting off on it either... but o well... gently slipping :OT
Please excuse the :HJ :D I love Linux. I'm running Mint and haven't messed with microsoft systems in years. Since so much is proprietary for windows it can be a hassle when the software is not open source but Linux is still the best thing since sliced bread AFAIC.Quote:
Originally Posted by jefpunk
:HJQuote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Sorry guys, just 'til you say how lovely Linux is, we're gonna keep on hijacking :D
Just built me a new lil machine and installed ubuntu 10.10...
niiiiiiiiiiice...
:D
:HJ
Ubuntu has the best interface. Although the upgrade later this year they are talking of doing away with the GNOME interface on new installs. Which is not so clever IMHO.
Ross,
For the longest of time I have always preferred KDE over Gnome for Linux :)
Howver, using Solaris for quite a few years has made me appreciate the qualities of Gnome :)
Have fun !
regards
Russ
I perfer KDE too. I started with it on Fedora 5 and never cared for the Gnome layout.
I find KDE really good technically but GNOME has more eye candy.
I really like pancakes.
I am hungry for pancakes right now, and I'm 85 miles from the nearest IHOP.