57 replies to this topic

[nitrojunkie]

Well its finally happened.Ive built off and on since age 6 or 7 and never had any problems but I am trying to detail a Big John Mazmanian Willys and the optivisor just is'nt doing the trick any more.I picked up a pair of "Reading Glasses" and they seem to be helping out pretty good but I guess a trip to the eye doctor is in order for a pair of modeling glasses.I came to this realization after it took 2 hrs to attach the injector linkages on a 1/25th Hilborn injector body. I really want to do more in depth builds like this.Are there any other good alternatives?I thought about a flourescent lighted magnifying glass.This will solve the ligthing and magnification.

[Harry P.]

You need good light to work. I use one of those combination fluorescent desk light/magnifier thingies... works pretty well. Between that and a newly-prescribed pair of glasses you should be ok.

[MikeMc]

Well its finally happened.Ive built off and on since age 6 or 7 and never had any problems but I am trying to detail a Big John Mazmanian Willys and the optivisor just is'nt doing the trick any more.I picked up a pair of "Reading Glasses" and they seem to be helping out pretty good but I guess a trip to the eye doctor is in order for a pair of modeling glasses.I came to this realization after it took 2 hrs to attach the injector linkages on a 1/25th Hilborn injector body. I really want to do more in depth builds like this.Are there any other good alternatives?I thought about a flourescent lighted magnifying glass.This will solve the ligthing and magnification.

If it is a genuine optivisor you can get stronger lenses right thru the mfgr. You can also add a helper loupe....The real trouble is the more magnification you add....the more you will need. I used a single eye loupe for many years on the repair bench and went stronger and stronger by adding extra loupes! After retiring and coming back to models...its the same thing all over. I use a large round flourescent magnifing light along with 2 40watt tubes overhead..lotsa light is good for my old eyes....




http://www.doneganop...m/optiloupe.php

http://www.doneganop...om/eyeloupe.php

http://www.doneganop...m/optivisor.php

Edited by MikeMc, 28 July 2009 - 12:09 PM.

[Fuel Coupe]

the new glasses and the visor will do wonders for you old man. I came back too model building last year and havent been able to do much without the visor.....

Its a b*tch getting old...

[nitrojunkie]

Yeah gettin old sux but we have to deal with it Ive been using the readers a little bit today but constantly looking over them or switching to my regular prescriptions.I think my next stop is what Harry suggested wich is also what I referenced in the original post.The one we have in the tool room at work even has a loup we use it to inspect carbide inserts when wear is minimal.I have pretty good lighting but will probably add more thinking about flourescent like I have over the table top mill and lathe out in the garage.I'll probably have to get a magnifying lamp for out there too.Over time needs to start rolling back around like a week ago....

[James W]

I've picked up several pairs of readers at the Dollar Store. I started with +1.00 and cut the tops so they act like bi-focals, but I also have +1.75 and +2.75 and swap them around depending on how close up I want to work on something.

If nothing else they are cheap and quicker than an appointment.

[midnightprowler]

I have to use both the magnifier light and reading glasses.

[elan]

You could always move up to a bigger scale like 1/20 or 1/16!

[nitrojunkie]

You could always move up to a bigger scale like 1/20 or 1/16!

I actually do have a couple of 1/16 FED's in the future.The readers are actually not too bad once I got used to them.The only draw back is now I see stuff I missed on other builds and some stuff looks like ###### to me, that before looked good and actually has placed in contests.Oh well live and learn new glasses are in the near future most likely bifocals not sure yet.The best is yet to come.

[Joe Handley]

the new glasses and the visor will do wonders for you old man. I came back too model building last year and havent been able to do much without the visor.....

Its a b*tch getting old...

Hehe, that's far nicer than what Dad has to say about getting old....but I can't exactly repeat that on here either since this is a family forum

I'll never forget helping him on our old F/S Chevy Van when I was in highschool and he had to pull the steering column apart to tighten the screws that were coming loose in it and half the time he was complaining about the bifocals being more of a nusense while trying to see under the dash in the dark while working by flashlights.

[BigGary]

Hehe, that's far nicer than what Dad has to say about getting old....but I can't exactly repeat that on here either since this is a family forum

I'll never forget helping him on our old F/S Chevy Van when I was in highschool and he had to pull the steering column apart to tighten the screws that were coming loose in it and half the time he was complaining about the bifocals being more of a nusense while trying to see under the dash in the dark while working by flashlights.

Whoever said "Getting old is not for cowards" sure knew what he's talking about. Since I'm naturally near sighted, I've begun to take off my glasses for close work. I may have to go to mag glasses at some point, or maybe I'll go back to R/C airplanes. A lot fewer small parts there.
Gary

[Monty]

My hobby table is in the dimmest part of my apartment and the overhead lighting fixture seems to be more for decoration than illumination. I've been trying to augment this light with a regular 60 watt desk lamp, but I'm not happy with the results. The research I've done so far suggests that these LED lamps can produce brighter light than halogen lamps without the excessive heat, which sounds ideal.

If you have an LED lamp that you use for modeling and you're very happy with it, I'd appreciate it if you'd reply with a mfr part number or some other way to identify it.

[Harry P.]

This is the one I bought recently and am very happy with:

http://www.officedep...fier-Task-Lamp/

[Dr. Cranky]

That's a good one, Harry. I also recommend the OTT lights.

http://www.amazon.co...29650271&sr=8-3

[espo]

"A mere layman" found a real good price. You might keep an eye open whene Office Depot has a sale or close out.

[Monty]

That's a good one, Harry. I also recommend the OTT lights.

http://www.amazon.co...29650271&sr=8-3

Virgil, what does yours use for a light source? After buying a lamp that promised the brightness of natural sunlight without the heat and having it put out the equivalent of moonlight on a foggy night, I can't afford to buy anything that doesn't measure up, hence the request for LED lighting.

[Harry P.]

Monty... you can't go wrong with the one I posted. Nice "daylight" color to the light it puts out, zero heat output, and supposedly will last for many years. At the price it's selling for right now (through the 25th), you just can't beat it.

[Burnout]

I recently bought the lamp Harry recommended and have been very pleased. I often have to move it close to my work but that is more of a comment on my eyesight than the lamp's efficiency. I also like the magnifying glass - something I didn't have before.

[Monty]

Monty... you can't go wrong with the one I posted. Nice "daylight" color to the light it puts out, zero heat output, and supposedly will last for many years. At the price it's selling for right now (through the 25th), you just can't beat it.

I wish I could see one of these in use. If you read what I said to Virgil, I'm already leery of things that promise a certain type of light but come up short. As I mentioned, this will be my primary light source back there.

[sjordan2]

I wish I could see one of these in use. If you read what I said to Virgil, I'm already leery of things that promise a certain type of light but come up short. As I mentioned, this will be my primary light source back there.

You heard it from Harry - a testimonial from a professional graphic artist who uses it regularly. If you want a demonstration, why not go to the store, such as OfficeMax, and take a look? Same goes for Virgil's recommendation of OttLite. As for the perfection of light, I have a magnifying light that looks like Harry's LED, but mine has a fluorescent ring light that works just fine for me.

Edited by sjordan2, 20 February 2012 - 10:59 AM.