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Author Topic: Eyesight and miniature working  (Read 2441 times)

justboatonic

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Eyesight and miniature working
« on: July 06, 2019, 11:09:46 am »

Im not getting any younger and having to resort to reading glasses for smaller print. I tend to wear these same glasses when working on my boats or other small modelling parts. While they help, they arent always ideal and this got me thinking, what do other people who may be similarly eyesight challenged use or wear?
I have a large illuminated magnifying glass on a stand. This, I find is a bit restrictive as, even though you can move the glass around, whatever you're working on has to pretty much stay in the centre field of view. Do other people make do with the now readily available magnifying reading type glasses or something else?
Any recommendations?
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Liverbudgie2

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2019, 12:05:45 pm »

A symptom of age I'm afraid. You really have only two choices either, have a set of specs for whatever you're doing, I have three, distance, reading and computer work; or if you're doing close in work on the bench I use my loupe or don't wear any at all. Experiment and see what suits you.

LB
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Footski

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2019, 12:34:44 pm »

My situation became worse when I started building miniature models. Reading glasses were simply not up to the job for much of the tiny detail. I bought a pair of magnifying glasses with a light on from Amazon. They came from China at a cost of 1.99 and are superb. Give a pair a go, you will be pleasantly surprised.
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frogman3

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2019, 01:07:52 pm »


HI I  use a head magnifier  it fits on your head like a welding helmet and is comfortable to wear. It's adjustable for different head sizes and when working you just put on head and flip it down to your eye level. The magnifier glass comes in different strengths and it's fitted with lights as well and if you want to stop what you are doing you just flip it upright and it's not heavy on your head. I've used one for yrs an won't be without it. You can get one from squires I think
Chris
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david48

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2019, 02:09:16 pm »


I got a 2for 1 deal at the optician so asked for a better magnification on one pair .
Worked for me
david
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roycv

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2019, 02:15:59 pm »

Hi I use a head magnifying set came from China less than £10.00.  Comes with 6 lenses and two slots to locate them and the magnifiers can be used doubled up for even greater magnification.  Adjustable spotlight as well, does not do any harm to glue some padding in the headband for comfort.  Excellent value for money.

Beware varifocal lenses they are fine as long as you reailse that there is trapezium distortion with even the best lenses.  I have a 'V' block which I test for uprightness.  Otherwise the angles are distorted at the edge of vision.
I have been using varifocals for 10 years now.
regards

Roy
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Bob K

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2019, 04:25:25 pm »

I have to have regular eye tests with Diabetes, and go to Specsavers.  My eyesight was superb for modelling in my teens but needed glasses for distance.  Over the decades my eyesight has gradually shifted so I no longer need glasses for driving etc, but has become naff for close up detail work.

I can still read the eye chart to almost the bottom line, even for reading distance, so I asked them to make some glasses for 4 inch focal distance work.  Some raised eyebrows, but they did, and I got an extra pair free.

Now when I need to see very close up I use the special glasses, and have a spare pair in case of damage.
Wonderful.  Since then I can detail as fine as I want  :-))
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grendel

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2019, 07:19:37 pm »

when i really need to see i use my distance glasses and reading glasses together.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2019, 07:47:01 pm »

I bought the headset magnifier recommended by Roy, excellent value. I have not used it all that much yet but it is certainly effective.

Agree re varifocal glasses, there can be distortion in certain situations such as looking along a waterline to see if it is straight. You just have to put your faith in careful measurement and a laser level can help

Colin
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LJ Crew

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2019, 09:30:15 am »

"In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king!"
 I lost the sight in one eye 70 years ago, any one want a pair of glasses, one side unused? But I do find that the values on resistors etc. is written much smaller nowdays. Several different pairs of glasses helps, but it gives you more to loose. Good lighting is perhaps the greatest help. Even 1:1 scale is becoming more difficult, never mind the smaller scales!
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malcolmfrary

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2019, 09:39:08 am »

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Re: Eyesight and miniature working
« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2019, 10:18:08 am »

There are some basic physics and biology problems that add to the issue - if you magnify something,  the amount of light entering the eye is reduced so the rods & cones on the retina are working in their low-efficiency mode.   You need quite a lot of additional lighting in the work area to get the smaller image boosted up to a good level to give your eye the best chance of focussing properly.
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