Magnifying small builds?

[pjgtech]

Whilst building my latest model, a 1:76th scale, I realised that I struggled to see a lot of the small parts, even whilst wearing my normal reading glasses.
As I have a few more of those scale models to build.... what do people recommend to use?

Theres those magnifying glasses that you wear on your head with a sort of head strap.
Then theres the larger magnifying lens that are mounted on some sort of frame and you put the piece underneath.
Then theres the old fashioned chrome stand with two bulldog clips, one on RHS and one on LHS with a central round magnifying glass on a moveable leg.

Or something else?
Cheers

[Ian M]

All of those are useable solutions, it is really a question of what you are most comfortable with. Having said that the last you describe, a helping hand magnifier is probably not the best long term answer.
The head band/specs magnifiers are good but they too have issues. Generally very good and easy enough to get used to. Personally I dont find them very comfortable to wear for more than a few minutes.
Desk top magnifiers are quite popular as they can just be swung into play as needed. Most have a good light in as well, these days, so they can just double as a work lamp.
Finding room for it at the bench ot if you are a kitchen table modeller could be a problem.
As to which one? all down to personal choice. I suggest searching the forums for one of the many threads that have discussed them in the passed may help with the more specific types.

[Andy T]

I've tried all kinds of magnifiers but I always end up going back to reading glasses for comfort and ease of use.

I have my prescription set at +1.5, then cheap ones from Amazon or the pound shop in +2.5 and +3.5. I use the lowest power that will do the job to avoid straining my eyes, but can get some really good magnification with the strongest. I just try to wear them for short periods. They can even be stacked if you really need to, however bare in mind that the stronger the magnification, the closer your working distance will be. Also the more distortion you can get, so not ideal when trying to line parts up straight & square.

I'm not saying it's ideal for everyone but it works well for me, and is so cheap that it's got to be worth experimenting.

[Ian M]

lol. I have four pair of 'reading' glasses. Got them form specsavers a tenner a pair. but they have a focus point at a more useable distance. Shop bought reding glasses normally have a 30ish cm focus! LIke who holds a book right up like that!!?

[Jim R]

If you have a bit of cash to splash then I would recommend a Donegan Optivisor. They are comfortable to wear, have optical quality glass lenses (not plastic) and have a choice of magnification. I would advise a no5 lens which has a 2.5 times magnification and is a nice compromise between focal length (working distance) and magnification. Do check that you buy the genuine item as there are a few Chinese knock offs around.

[pjgtech]

Cheers folks, thanx