Magnifying head lamp

[Bluekingfisher]

I was sharpening a small dovetail saw the other day and realised I couldn't see what I was doing, even with my specs and a lamp.

I was thinking of investing in one of those magnifying head lamps with the attached lamps. I had a look on ebay etc but they all look cheap and not very robust.

Does anyone use one and/or can they recommend one.

Cheers

David

 

[pedder]

Hi David, I don't see how such a lamp would improve the visibility of the teeth. I need the light to reflex on the teeth:

I use a moveable neon tube wich has raked light:

before that I had a smaller one

And sometimes I use reading glasses that a +1 too strong.

Cheers
Pedder

 

[Woody2Shoes]

I've never used a head-mounted magnifier, but I find one these very helpful for scrolling/sharpening/splinter-removal etc. with illumination, magnification and both hands free (plus some measure of eye protection too!).

http://www.warco.co.uk/lights/106-work- ... -lens.html This has a fluorescent bulb which I find better than the available LED equivalent

Cheers, W2S

 

[jim_hanna]

I bought one similar to this
http://www.axminster.co.uk/lightcraft-head-mounted-magnifier-with-4-lenses-and-spotlight

Wouldn't recommend it, the depth of field of the in-focus area is tiny. Move your head at all and suddenly it's out of focus. I found it very frustrating.

The anglepoise type lamps with built-in magnifier and a circular light like this
http://www.axminster.co.uk/lightcraft-fluorescent-daylight-flexible-magnifier-lamp-slimline
are slightly better.

Jim

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Pedder - Identifying the flat spots is not the issue, just the clarifty and precision required for confident cutting. The idea of a stronger prescription pair of eye glasses may be worth investigating however.

Woody2 - I had considered the magnifying lamp, however finding a place for it may prove difficult. The head unit can be stored more easily, probably on a nail.

Thanks for your input.

David

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Jim - Thanks for your assessment of the head lamp. Perhaps Pedders suggestion is the way to go.

Cheers

David

 

[Racers]

I use a cheap pair of reading glasses and an anglepoise lamp, I did a 12tpi cross cut saw last and angling the light made it easy to see the right teeth to file.

Pete

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Cheers Pete, Looks like the way to go is with over strenght reading glasses for the odd occasion I need the additional clarity

David

 

[MIGNAL]

I tried the strong reading glasses. Unfortunately my nose was practically touching the work piece. I suppose you could try a pair, they are cheap enough. I went for the magnifying lamp, that proved to be better. You do have to be careful with these because they do tend to have an inherent weakness at the swivel joints. Please note I haven't used these for saw filing but for delicate hand fretwork. The side light is a must.

 

[swagman]

I use a Donegan Optivisor for my backsaws. Quality made item.

Stewie;

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/donegan-optivisors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwnLeL3jGco

 

[Argus]

In common with a lot of folk I learned to sharpen my own simply because the old-fashioned saw-doctors don't exist any more and I convinced myself that in the old days, most of the joiners and carpenters sharpened their own anyway. It was considered a basic skill.

But, back to the original question, I think that what visual aids you need depends on what size of saw you're filing. You've got to see what you're doing and to be able to see the cutting tip - this is where the reflected light from the blunt bit of the tip comes in. That and the feel of the file-stroke, which comes with practice.

Personally, anything up to about 8 points I can use my ordinary reading specs; 10 points and up needs some form of magnification, even with a raked light to see the tip. And all this has to be hands-free.

I have one of those Axy head mag things and it is OK if you don't mind having your face right in it there is a very short depth of focus and inevitable eye strain when used for long periods. I use one of those sparingly with the maximum magnifier up to about 16 points.... after that I just can't see it at all with my aged vision.
They are not entirely useless, but it is worth knowing their limitations in use.

So, in practical terms, I limit my saws to about 12 points at the smallest for these reasons. I ain't getting any younger.

 

[rwyoung]

The Donegan OptiVisor is a very good choice.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_ ... Caps%2C169

Lots of different focal length and magnification choices.

My link above is for the Amazon USA (by the way, the OptiVisor is manufactured just up the road from me, next town over).

Not sure what their export situation is but probably Amazon UK can cough up the goods.

 

[iNewbie]

If you search google they're available here - looked some time back.

http://www.polishingjewellery.co.uk/aca ... isors.html

 

[ejtrent]

I have the one from Clarke, the cheaper one, works really well suprisingly although I rarely use the magnifier!

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Gents - Thanks very much for your responses. The Optiovisor was the accessory I had in mind prior to posting although I was not sure what it was called.

Ironically, I remembered I had a box load of old eye glasses belonging to my elderly mother. She is still a lady with a fashion sense it appears, they were all GUCCI spectacles Anyway they are all bi-focal, the lower section being a +4 prescription the upper being +2 (which is closer to my reading prescription) I took them out to the shop last night to view the fine teeth on my dovetail saw, Works a treat. I wouldn't want to wear them all the time but for the job in hand ideal.

Thanks again for the advice

David

 

[pedder]

Please, can we have a picture of you saw filing wearing you mom's gucci glasses? Please?


Cheers Pedder

 

[swagman]

Hi Pedder. Is that an instruction manual for a Foley Retoothing Machine shown in your 3rd photo.

Stewie;

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Please, can we have a picture of you saw filing wearing you mom's gucci glasses? Please?


Cheers Pedder

Yep, I'll get that picture uploaded right away!

 

[pedder]

Hi Pedder. Is that an instruction manual for a Foley Retoothing Machine shown in your 3rd photo.

Stewie;

Hi Stewie, yes it is. I scanned the hole thing and put it on the blog a few years ago:
http://pedder-altedamenauskiel.blogspot ... 85000.html

I forwarded the machine in the meantime.

Cheers Pedder

 

[rwyoung]

Gents - Thanks very much for your responses. The Optiovisor was the accessory I had in mind prior to posting although I was not sure what it was called.

Ironically, I remembered I had a box load of old eye glasses belonging to my elderly mother. She is still a lady with a fashion sense it appears, they were all GUCCI spectacles Anyway they are all bi-focal, the lower section being a +4 prescription the upper being +2 (which is closer to my reading prescription) I took them out to the shop last night to view the fine teeth on my dovetail saw, Works a treat. I wouldn't want to wear them all the time but for the job in hand ideal.

Thanks again for the advice

David