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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: GrayBeard on May 04, 2010, 11:13:52 am
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I have an old one with a standard incandescent lamp and a 3X magnifier and would like to upgrade to a fluorescent or even better to a CFL!
Best place to purchase economically?
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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Yes I do and would not be without it. Mine is a 22 watt fluorescent lamp that includes a 1.75x magnifying lens. 8)
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I use the same thing Russ uses, along with reading glasses. Couldn't scoll without them. Dave 8).
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Yep! I do a lot of fretwork, puzzles, and other small items where the lines can run close together so need some kind of magnification. When I don't need that tho the added light on the work helps a lot too.
IIRC a regular bulb and 2x magnifier came with the Dremel I bought many years ago. With the new saw I had to go out and buy a florescent light and magnifier. Got mine at the local Menards, which might not e available in your neck of the woods. But I suspect Lowes or any other big store along that line would have them.
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Yep I use one too. I've got one of the older ones with an incandescent, but use a CFL in it, keeps it a lot cooler. Harbor freight usually has one of the round flourescent ones for around $35.
Greg
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I use the same one that Russ does, as well...One thing to point out is that Russ stated that his is 1.75 times magnifier...GrayBeard stated a 3 times magnifier...Be careful with these numbers...Some sources refer to the "times" when referencing the degree of magnification, while others use the diopter to reference magnification...Some retailers get these numbers confused...As a result, GrayBeard, and Russ might actually be using the same lens, but each of them are using a different numbering system to quantify the degree of magnification (Russ is possibly in power, while Graybeard might be in diopter)...These numbers also dictate the focal length that is needed; how close the lens has to be to the work piece.
I ran across a chart on the following website that explains all of this, while researching to buy mine (although I didn't buy this brand)...Note that the original size of the object needs to be added to the number in the power column, because the chart is only stating how much bigger the object appears than the original size (thus, Russ' 1.75 times):
http://www.dazor.com/lighted-magnifier.html
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I guess this is yet another thing I need to buy :P
Can you all post the kind you have if you like it and where you got it?
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I use one I purchase from Woodcraft. Wouldn't be without it, these old eyes need all the help they can get.
Gary
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i use a combo also, but i dont use the magnifier, i just use the light. i do however have a jewelers magnifier visor which i prefer the best and would be lost without it.
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I too use a magnifier/circular flourescent light. I have a larger one lighting from the left side of my Eclipse machine and then I purchased the small magnifier/LED combo unit from Rockler that I put in front of the blade. The Eclipse machine has a built in small halogen light that shines down on the work. The front magnifier really helps in staying on the line.
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I've been thinking about getting something like this. I don't need the light but that line looks so darn small sometimes. I'd also be interested in hearing what others have bought. $35 isn't the end of the world but it is too much to spend on the wrong thing. If I would be unhappy with something I paid $35 for and would be in heaven with something that cost $65, that info would be good to know.
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Here's the one that I use:
www.woodcraft.com/Catalog/ProductPage.aspx?prodid=3555&ss=e4a11b67-af20-44b2-ab9e-780f544ffb94
Initially, I picked up one from Staples for only about $15 less, but returned it the same day...For $15 more the one from Woodcraft is much better...The cheaper one was made of mostly plastic (thought it was going to snap every time I repositioned it), whereas the one from Woodcraft is mostly metal with only a small amount of plastic...Additionally, the one from Woodcraft has better optical quality (which in most cases is 50% of the purpose for getting/using one of these).
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Yes, I have been using one for years. It uses an incandescent bulb but I have a cfl in it. Not as bright as a bulb but it stays cooler.
When I teach at Woodcraft I have to use my bifocal safety glasses, but I prefer the magnifier.
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I have a light mounted by my saw and I use a set of magnifier glasses. 3X I believe. I like the glasses over a magnifier lens since they move with me and do not get in the way of seeing around the saw.
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In my own case, I have 2 lights set up on my saw.. One is a magnifier and I can't get used to it at all..
I've installed 26 watt CFL's made by GE that are instant on and bright white light (not that orange tint with the standard CFL's).
IMO, well worth the investment..
No clue where the magnifier light came from (have had it for years) but the magnetic clamp light came from Peachtree.com on sale for $12.00. Regular price is $17.00
(http://www.ptreeusa.com/Peach%20Graphics/drill_press_light_200_07.jpg)
http://www.ptreeusa.com/drillPress_Acc.htm
(scroll down to almost the bottom of the page..)
The magnet is very strong and the reflector is highly polished.. giving you plenty of light where needed.
I just like using 2 lights as the area I use isn't really well lit and I get to create a shadow on one side of the blade or the other as needed.
Ez
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i use a combo also, but i dont use the magnifier, i just use the light. i do however have a jewelers magnifier which i prefer the best and would be lost without it.
Similar to MadHatter - I gave the combo to my wife for her sewing room. I use an adjustable light with the jewelers magnifier which, for me, works a lot better! I have monocular vision and the jewelers magnifier works much better since my depth perception is zilch!
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I bought mine through shopsmith when I bought my foot pedal. here is a picture of my set up.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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My kids got me one for Christmas a few years ago. I had a hard time getting use to it but couldn't get along without it now. It has a fluorescent light on both sides of the lamp to eliminate shadows. Love it. They got it at Grizzly (I've no connection with the company whatsoever).
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Clamp-Style-Magnifying-Lamp/H3105
regards,
John
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Hey, Dragonlord, Are those the clip on kind that fit on glasses or those head mounted things? Do those things work over glasses?
I kind of like this idea. Those mag lights all look like you don't have a lot of space to look through. I have wondered if that would be a problem. I mean, do you have to move it out of the way all the time to do things and then move it back like the blower?
OTOH, maybe I am doing something wrong to be having to move the blower around all the time!
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I bought mine from Seyco. It has a 3 diopter magnification and and circular flourescent light. The beauty is that it mounts to the upper arm of my saw and has a seperate power cord so it doesn't interupt when i use my foot petal. Even if i dont want to use the magnifier, the light is still directly above my work for illumination. Couldn't work without it. Julie
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Becky, mine are the style that has a head band and they work great with glasses. I wear glasses and have not had a problem.
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Thanks, Dragonlord. I think I might try that rather than the clip on light/mag thing. Not sure when I'll actually get out to buy the thing but the idea definitely appeals.
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The other thing I like about it is it only cost $8.00 for the magnifier and my light was only $5.00 so there was quite a bit of savings compared to the light/magnifier combo's I have seen.
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I have both the light that I bought with my DeWalt 788, and then added a magnifier/flourescent light (22w.) that I got from Staples for about $65. Its made well, mostly metal, but I have a problem with it swinging away because the head is heavy and hanging out quite far from the mount. I've tightened everything as much as I can. BTW, the mount is a clamp-on. I might look into the type worn on the head. Being 74 and a diabetic who's had some eye surgeries, I need all the help I can get!
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I use a light, it came with my 788. I don't use a magnifier right now but I can see where it would come in handy.
Barry
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I have the same one ripchief has. I picked it up at a thirft shop for $3.00 without the lamp which I got at Home Depot for about $6.00. Works great.
Happy Scrolling
Bill
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I have used the magnifier light combo (a circular one) but had trouble keeping it steady while scrolling. I now use the jewelers style magnifier, 2x, with a task light. I've still got the combo and if someone has solved the steadiness problem I's sure like to hear it.
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budprine....
I think the only way to steady it is to mount it on something else and not the saw or saw table itself!
The other hassle I have is it gets in the way all the time and I just ordered a Jeweler's style from my stepson who is a custom jeweler!
I have several different lights I can mount so that is not the problem, the ol' eyes are the problem!
~~GrayBeard~~~
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all i use right now is an adjustable desk lamp and 3x bifocal safty glasses.
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I have the circular flourescent with a magnifier. Had a problem often breaking the bulb when a blade would break, so I cut a doughnut shaped piece of clear acrylic and mounted it to protect the bulb. I also have the visor type which I picked up from Harbor Freight, but I prefer the light.