 | Readers
These tend to be larger magnifiers, either with handles or as 'domes' that rest on the page. The Fresnel is a thin sheet of plastic that, remarkably, acts as a magnifier. See also, HANDS-FREE MAGNIFIERS and the illuminated magnifiers under CLEARANCE. |
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| General purpose folding magnifiers
Some fold into hard cases, some into soft cases; some swing closed, some click closed. These are what most people call, 'general purpose magnifiers' - for reading the small print on forms, labels in the supermarket, marks on furniture and porcelain. The advantage over a 'reader' is that they fit neatly into a pocket or small handbag. |
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| Larger hands-free + on stands + illuminated
These are large enough to work under, using both hands. Please remember: the larger the lens the lower the power, that's how lenses work! But a nice quality large lens of low power is MUCH easier to work with than a high power lens that is too small. |
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| Small Stand Magnifiers. Linen Prover Linen Testers
These rest on the page ('stand') magnifiers are larger than jewellers and watchmakers magnifiers but smaller than reading magnifiers. The 'Linen Provers' are, traditionally, used for 'proving' (testing) linen by counting the number of threads per inch. Each has a scale on the base. These have a hinged mechanism and fold flat for easy carrying. |
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| Loupes (Jewellers folding magnifiers)
I call these 'jewellers loupes' because I sell mostly to antiques and jewellery traders for looking at tiny marks and for examining diamonds and gemstones. However, there are many other uses: for geologists and biologists in the field (and for gardeners); for doctors checking skin lesions; electronics engineers checking PCBs; laboratory technicians checking slides; photographers checking negatives.
The price of each loupe reflects the quality of the lens. For professional traders a loupe is THE most important item of 'test equipment' so go for the best you can afford, and stick to 10X magnification, more powerful loupes rarely give a clearer image.
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| Watchmakers' Eyeglasses
Hold the open end in the eye (it takes practice!) - this leaves the hands free to work. Please remember that the higher the magnification the closer to the object you must hold the lens, so stick to low magnification (2X to 6X) if you need space to handle tools. If, however, you want one of these instead of a jewellers loupe, then a high magnification (10X or more) will be OK.
See also: HEADWORN MAGNFIERS below, for large magnifiers that fit around the head, these are good for general engineering work including working on lathes.
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| Head-worn Magnifiers
Binocular (for both eyes) magnifiers that either clip to spectacles or include a mount.
Se also, WATCHMAKERS' EYEGLASESS |
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| Microscopes
Microscopes
(We also have secondhand full-size microscopes, scroll to the bottom to SECONDHAND items) |
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| Lenses
Just one at the moment: a very large lens with a high-power inset. |
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| Clearance Magnifiers
Some of these are samples from importers and manufacturers that I've decided not to add to my range, some are end-of-lines which I have now withdrawn from my paper mail order catalogue (because I only have a few remaining). |
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| Do not buy
I am forever buying samples of magnifiers that look good - often they are advertised in huge adverts in magazines, but when I get the sample I consider them to be...awful.
Manufacturers and importers are invited to send me samples of magnifiers for review. I CAN sell many thousands of a good magnifier...but a 'bad' magnifier ends up in this section. |
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