Bolt Thrower Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hi guys. I'm thinking of getting a magnifying glass to help with some of the more fiddly bits and was just wondering if anyone uses them and if anyone has any reccommendations as to size and strength. My eyesight is actually very good and a recent eye test showed that I have better than 20/20 vision but some detail is just too small (eyes in particular). The cheapest option I've seen is a jeweller's loupe eyepeice but I'm not sure how close you need to be for them to come into focus. In my local hobby store they have nice big illuminated lenses but they are very expensive however there are some very affordable options on ebay but cheap stuff on ebay tends to suck, however if you've used one of the cheap chinese knock offs and they were decent then let me know! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacinda Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The cheapest solution is to pick up a pair of reading glasses. I have one of those lighed lenses that have a ring of led lights. It cost about $50USD and I am very happy with it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2862110 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solid Zaku Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Alternatively, you could get an adjustable 'hand' magnifying glass. You could even jury-rig one if you're good at that sort of thing. Loupes tend to be very expensive, due to their high quality. Also, the level of magnification they give might actually be TOO much. Jewelry tends to require extreme magnification. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2862133 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolt Thrower Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 There's real cheap loupes on ebay, about £4 and a range of magnification from 5x to 25x it's just the range at which you can use them I'm thinking about. I don't want to have the mini virtually up my snout to paint it :mellow: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2862175 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kharn_the_betrayer Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 What about the lamps with the lense built in lamp? I thought I saw them using one in a How to Paint book. I think they sell them at craft stores and major retailers. Shouldnt be too pricey plus its a lamp which always helps me (I use a desk lamp for a lot of hobby stuff). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2862809 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Wilhelm Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi guys. I'm thinking of getting a magnifying glass to help with some of the more fiddly bits and was just wondering if anyone uses them and if anyone has any reccommendations as to size and strength.My eyesight is actually very good and a recent eye test showed that I have better than 20/20 vision but some detail is just too small (eyes in particular). The cheapest option I've seen is a jeweller's loupe eyepeice but I'm not sure how close you need to be for them to come into focus. In my local hobby store they have nice big illuminated lenses but they are very expensive however there are some very affordable options on ebay but cheap stuff on ebay tends to suck, however if you've used one of the cheap chinese knock offs and they were decent then let me know! I wear x3 magnifying glasses when I do modelling and painting. They were $20 Australian, and I would expect them to be cheaper in most of the rest of the Western world. It really helps with neatness, which is most of the battle of having nice looking models. So if I can see to a level that is better than people can see, then my mistakes will be harder for them to pick up on. You were them just like regular glasses, so are not losing depth of vision by just peering through one eye. I bought mine from the Chemist. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2862839 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamafore Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Wouldn't that mess with your eyes? Causing major headaches and the like? I use the lamp/magnifying lens that attaches to your desk. $40 at the local Menards. Oddly enough that was the only place in town that had it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2862854 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipertaja Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 You could get this kind of freakish thing: http://callmedutch.com/Horo/viewitem.php?productid=126 ^_^ There are many variations of them out there. I don't know if that would help or work for you, just thought I'd mention it. I also like the demented look of it. ;) (I collect weird stuff like that) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2863019 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna Drake Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 @ vipertaja ive had one of those and i threw it out after two days as it never held the mini still as the arms would droop. :P now looking for a lamp with built in magnifying glass as my mate lent me his to try and it was awesome ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2863505 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipertaja Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 @ vipertaja ive had one of those and i threw it out after two days as it never held the mini still as the arms would droop. :P now looking for a lamp with built in magnifying glass as my mate lent me his to try and it was awesome :D Well you just had a limp wristed one then. :D (depends also on the weight of the mini of course) Personally I wouldn't throw it out anyway, as I think it's kind of decorative as well. :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2863567 Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazychib Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I found it difficult to judge where the paint brush was in relation to the mini whilst using a magnifying glass, so I would recommend trying it before buying it Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2863866 Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JK- Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I bought one of these the other day: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolson-Tools-60335...187&sr=8-13 Cheap as chips, and great quality! I can't fault it for that price! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2864132 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna Drake Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Ive just ordered this as it was reasonably priced and if its no good for painting then i know a few people who would like it :D http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350343688640?ssP...984.m1439.l2649 will try it out and let you guys know ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2865572 Share on other sites More sharing options...
striker8 Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I'm firmly in the Opti-visor camp. The semi hood thing you'll see used by engravers and jewlery makers. I think I have a 3x lense in it now. I only used it for painting eyes in the begining but I'm finding myself using it more and more. It does reduce the eye strain and in turn has helped with the neck strain since I don;t hunch up as much. A word of advice if you;re looking at swing arm magnifiers. Try and find out what the focal length is before you buy since you'll need at least 6" to 8" between the lense and the work piece and don't go to hig a magnification. I got one not paying attention and it ended up having about a 4" focal length and was around 10x, I couldn't get a brush under the lense to in a position that was comfortable and the magnification was so severe I lost all relationship between the brush, the mini, and what my hand was doing. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2865709 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACHERNAR Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I picked one of these up from the local hardware store. It took a bit of getting used to painting under a magnifier but now I couldn't do without it. It has two magnifications and a great light. Achernar. http://www.brilliantlighting.com.au/produc...mini-magnifier/ Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/237352-magnifying-glasses/#findComment-2865824 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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