My wife wants to get me a magnifying lamp for Christmas. I am supposed to find one. But there are so many variants and I’m afraid of making a bad decision.
What should I llok for?
One that has a lamp and a magnifyer! LOL[}:)][}:)]
Guess the best way is to go look at some. Try to figure out if you want one that you wear on your head or if you want a table-lamp style. Check the cost of replacement bulbs while you are at it.
I use the head-mount. I found the table lamp was too big to leave on my workbench and I couldn’t get used to the round magnifying lens. My head mount has lights on it and multiple pop-down lenses for more magnification.
Hope this helps.
Darrell, quiet…for now
There’s the rub. I don’t have a clue where to look. I’m told that they have them at Lowe’s but they are no good. Other than that I would have to go to Pittsburgh, but once there I have no idea where to look. I was hoping to find something on the Internet.
Darfting supplies, jewelers, …? How about laboratory supplies? They all need those items from time-to-time. Hi-tech industry for assembly? Fine model crafts assemblers? Call BLI. I bet they’ll know. Would browsing through an artist magazine help?
Chip… Try Office Depot or Staples. They uusually have a good assortment.
Bill[:)]
I got my table mount at Staples. Like it very much.
Just a thought…try a sporting goods or gun store. They ought to have something.
Not sure if you want head mount or bench mount. I have a cheap bench unit from a tool show, and aside from being a little light of construction, it works well for me when I need to see little details.
I don’t like head mounts…too bulky on my head for my taste. JMHO. I know many folks who like them.
Rotor
I got mine at Staples, one with the circular fluorescent lamp, works great! As a bonus I often use it to light up models for photography. The circular lamp produces a nice soft light with little shadows. I’d used lamps with incandescent bulbs in the past, but do like this one better. I have a magnifyier that fits over my head, and it works OK, but it is too powerful and limits your field of view. And if you’re using it for a while it gets kinds sticky/sweaty on your forehead. I keep it for especially close work only.
I have one purchased about 18 years ago. It has a fluoescent lamp like FundyNorthern’s an attachment for clamping to my work bench or table. 18 years of use and several moves and have yet to replace the lamp. It also has several spring loaded joints so it can be position easily and stay put and the swival in the mount lets it swing out of the way easily. Again, like Fundy says, no shadows and a nice liht to work by. Ken
Chip
I got one from Global supply. They are a big business supply mailorder house. The one I got has a halogen bulb that has two brighness settings and a dust cover that protects the lens when not in use. Also check www.MSCdirect.com as they should have alarge selection to choose from.
Dan Pikulski
www.DansResinCasting.com
Stamp and coin collector shops should have one. Or maybe this will help, he, he, he…
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19526
Sorry, I couldn’t resist! [:D]
I have the same one FundyNorthern described and I to bought it at Staples. I looked at a bunch of them but found this was the best of them all.
Chip did you try Micro-Mark. They have several different styles. Jim
Hobby Lobby has a few different ones. I noticed a discount tool store near me had a cheap one for $24.(RPM Supply) I bought one of those visor magnifyers for only $3 and it works great for me.
I have one of those ‘under $20’ lamp magifyer units that I picked up at a local home improvement store. The same item was $40 through hobby retailers. The problem with it was the lamp - lots of heat! I picked up a unit at Staples a couple of years ago for about $50(round flouresent tube) - Worth every penny spent on it. Much better magification, and runs ‘cool’.
Jim Bernier
Staples is your best bet, probably. They sell a high-quality magnifying lamp for about $20. It’s the same as the one in the MicroMark catalog, but a fair bit cheaper. I have one and it functions quite well.
Ray