Loupe / eyeglass / eyepiece

[Pip]

Anyone know of a good source for boom style microscopes? Probably too deep for my pockets at the moment but I'd like to have a look at some point.


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[StuartBaker104]

 

[robmack]

Watch Louis Rossmann's videos on Youtube for sage microscope buying advice.  He talks about microscopes for electronics repair but the concepts and necessary functions are the same for watch repair.  I'll post the Youtube identifiers instead of cluttering the thread by imbedding the videos.    C_eQrbop-J4 and m4LaZsS5V7s.  Use the search function in Youtube to get to the videos.

 

[david]

This scope currently is selling on Ebay for $359.00 with free shipping in the USA. It is a trinocular which allows  hookup to a computer. With that you can snap pictures of the watch as you disassemble it. This will help you  work on watches with complications when you reassemble the movement. It offers a zoom up to 45X and has a 4 inch (100mm) working distance.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7X-45X-Trinocular-Stereo-Zoom-Microscope-with-Double-Arm-Boom-Stand-/400429169541?hash=item5d3b703b85:g:dMMAAOSwMVdYENVr

david

Edited March 20, 2017 by david

[Alastair]

+2.5 cheapo eyeglasses from poundshop, and another pair with 20X loupe stuck on with Rodico for setting up pre-position of Accutron fingers.
I found using loupe as designed it steamed up all the time causing irritation and annoyance, just when you get the damned things aligned--you couldn't see 'em anymore.

All normal dissassembly and reassembly done with just the eyeglasses. Parts examination done at 20x

For Indexing I use a £5 cheapo Chinese microscope 100x I modded for the job. Indexing jewels look like two house-bricks on a circular sawblade

Works for me!

[skridlov]

Hi - I'm a rank amateur so my opinion's probably worthless. That doesn't usually stop me.

I have a variety of different devices that I've tried. I wear glasses which is an additional nuisance - particularly as damaging very very expensive varifocals is a distinct possibility.

However the most useful overall visual aid I've used so far is a 3x magnifying lamp with a circular daylight tube (handy for macro shots too.) Mine is a cheap one (£30) as there are crazy variations in price of similar - or even identical - products. Obviously for close inspection it's not adequate however for most routine jobs it's great. The only drawback of the cheap version is that the articulation of the arm is abominable (cf Anglepoise lamps). Stiff, very limited angles, shockingly poor design including a plastic clamp! you can guess how long that lasted, and a tightening screw on the lower arm that hits the clamp. Now mounted in a drilled plank. Cr@p but still very useful. A competently designed one with a 5X lens would be great, and probably very expensive.

Roy 

[vinn3]

Quote

 

I am going to try the "digital microscope".  once the image is on the computer, it can be studied or emailed off.  vinn

[david]

This is a picture of the trinocular microscope I provided a link for in the above post. The binocular eyepieces provide conventional optics and the third port provides a place for a digital camera.The quality is excellent and the unit is surprisingly heavy.

david

[WildBill]

Hi, Can anyone recommend an eyeglass, I already ware glasses, perhaps the type that fit on existing glasses...Thanks... 

[Chopin]

Hey Bill, you mean a loupe ? Like these ?

[WildBill]

Yeah, hi Chopin, I have 3 loope's I find they mist up quickly, and keep falling off, I'm just getting everything together "tools" n stuff

 to do my first watch service...and I wondered what sort of magnification other used.

[Ishima]

Fogging can be an issue, some watch repairers drill a hole about half way down he body of the eyeglass, seems to be an effective easy solution with no real noticeable downside. but the glass mounted ones might work out even better for you.

Edited October 29, 2017 by Ishima

[Lc130]

Hi All

I'm just learning the basics on a cheap Elgin PW.  Some of the jewels look cracked but hard to tell with my 4X loupe.  What magnification is recommended for inspecting fewels?  If they are cracked, where do I order replacements?

Many thanks

Charlie

 

[Chopin]

Honestly, for jewels I think you need a microscope. That's what I would use and I do plan on buying one soon.

You can find cheap usb microscopes for as little as 10$ and they seem good. They don't have a very high resolution but still usable.

[measuretwice]

my limited experience agrees with Chopin.  I use a 10x loupe which is right for me putting watches together etc, and just barely enough to get a sense of the jewels' condition  I have a few stereo zoom microscopes;  around 40x is where they come alive

[transporter]

I've got a small monocular hand held microscope 80x mag, its a cheapie from maplins, cost a few quid and is perfect for quick inspections of jewels, hairsprings etc etc

[Lc130]

Thanks all!

[bojan1990]

Hello,

mostly of the time I use Bergeon 4x (2 1/2 inches focus) loupe while working on movements. I also have a loupe which do not have any markings on it, except number 1 (probably 1 inch focus). The loupe should magnify 10x, but I do not see big difference comparing it to my Bergeon loupe.

It is possible that the second loupe is kind of fake, but I am not sure. What would you recommend for loupe, when it comes to the pallet stones inspection or manipulating hair spring? 12x, 15x?

[Tudor]

I use an ancient B&L 4X loupe 99% of the time. I have a newer B&L 10X as well and there is a big difference in quality...

I hear around the dark alleys and dive bars I frequent that the current Bergeon 10X loupe is superior to the current B&L and that seems reasonable to me. 

Any more than 10X in a loupe and your nose oil will be contaminating the movement... Go to a microscope of some sort beyond 10X. I will use the ones at work (those go up to 1000X although 50X is usually plenty)

[clockboy]

Depending on how good your eyesight is. I use a microscope that is on my workbench. Invaluable for me when fitting shock springs or inspecting pivots & jewels.

[rickhufnagel7]

I use 10x glasses for normal stuff, I have a 25x for inspecting jewels and such,. Works well on the stuff I do.

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[PaulnKC]

All,

I am very nearsighted (between -6 and -7 in both eyes). With astigmatism. Now, in my late 50's I also have significant nearsightedness.

I thought a flip up visor - which I could wear with my glasses would be best. I purchased an OptiVisor with a flip-down loupe. But not happy at all with the visual quality.

I know you get what you pay for in optics. What is the best type of device for someone with old-bad eyes.

I have never used a regular loupe - but thinking that may be the way to go. Any of you guys (or gals) have a reccomendation?

-Paul

[Gpsluvr]

Try this - I have about the same eyesight and this has two lenses and a white led light for each. The light makes all the difference. Quality is excellent, too. Steve

This is on Amazon.




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[yankeedog]

I am 59, My peepers are not as bad as yours , I use various strength off the shelf reading glasses , depending on how close I need to get to the work.I use a bausch and lomb 10 x loupe for really small stuff.Recently I purchased a jewelers eye loop (their spelling) item 94364 from harbor freight. It isn't half bad.

[PaulnKC]

1 hour ago, Gpsluvr said:

Try this - I have about the same eyesight and this has two lenses and a white led light for each. The light makes all the difference. Quality is excellent, too. Steve

This is on Amazon.




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Steve,

Thanks for the tip on these. I am primarily talking about something that I can use and still have my hands free for working - but this could work for inspection. Certainly cheap enough to try without worry.