Looking for a miniature accessory

[Andrew D. Gable]

I'm hunting a magnifier, some sort that I'd be able to sit on the table that would leave my hands free - whether it clip on the side or have two legs, one on either side of my work area. Preferably with a light attached. Know what I mean?

Do they make something like this? If so, what models do people recommend, where can they be gotten, what's the price?

 

[alsih2o]

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/67467.asp?promo=hl_lighting

recommended, altho they can be found cheaper

 

[Gizzard]

I have something like the thing above (except much cheaper!). Its nice in some ways, because its got a built in light. The plus side there is that you dont have to keep fiddling with the mini to keep it in the light and also in the focal point of the magnifier. The bad part is that its a 20W candle bulb, so if you like the new "true color" bulbs then you are a bit out of luck. Also, holding your mini 5" from even a 20W bulb causes the paint to dry more quickly, giving you less time to work. Theres no gripper on mine, you have to hold the mini yourself.

I have seen a magnifier with two alligator clamps and no light at the local hobby store. Havent tried it.

One thing to realize is that painting under the magnifier is a different technique than painting normally. All of your reactions for how far to move the brush have to be re-trained; its sort of like using a mirror in that you have to be more conscious of where your brush is going rather than being instinctive. Because I havent put the time into training myself, I paint under normal conditions mostly, then use the magnifier to review my work. Sometime I use it for eyes.

 

[kengar]

Model railroad/airplane hobby shops are a good bet for these kind of things too

 

[pogre]

Here's a good site Micromark but be careful or you will buy more than you want!

 

[Mark]

I have a combination of devices that I use. In the attached picture...

1) ...is a standard maginifying lamp that I picked up on the cheap for about twenty bucks. Micro-mark has them listed for about $40.00

2) ...is the underside of the lamp but I think I may replace the bulb with one of those screw-in fluorescent bulbs for more accurate lighting.

3) Shows two other devices with my finger to show scale.

4) Is the first of those other two. It's a standard cheap plastic magnifying glass that you can get at any pharmacy (they sell them as reading aides) for a couple of bucks. Considering how cheap they can be, mine was more than worthwhile. It's very handy and it's my go-to magnifier because of this.

5) Shows a printer's loupe of a variety I had trouble now finding online but here is one company that had them. Even those are kinda cheap compared to the one I got years ago when I worked in the printing industry (pictured). The new ones I find online are all plastic, rather than a heavy metal which doesn't get moved as easily..

6) ...shows the loupe opening...

7) ...and fully opened.

I took a peek at that Micro-mark site and must say that the fluorescent magnifier looked pretty damned sweet.