Any one used a digital microscope for micro turning on a lathe

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

My USB microscope from Aldi is surprisingly good but the latency means using it for machining would be pointless.

People often over estimate how much magnification they need. What about something like this?

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

I use a Brunel MX1 Stereomicroscope for low power x10 and x20 duty in my other hobby. I've often thought it would be easy to make a stand for workshop use because it mounts on a simple pillar. I imagine something like a beefed up arrangement of rods like an overgrown DTI base.

The image is sharp with good depth of field and there's no digital processing lag. I'd recommend a stereomicroscope for cutting as opposed to simple inspection because its easier to judge distances in 3D.

Not top of the range optics by any means but it's not a toy, just under £90 today. Other suppliers available.

Don't be seduced by that Neil Wyatt promoting benighted telescopes with his photos of sexy young Nebulae. Astronomy is practised like witchcraft when all right-thinking folk are abed. Astronomy is always freezing cold and cloudy. See one planet and you've seen them all. Microscopes are far more fun, you should see what lives inside your mouth…

Dave

Dave

[BWParticipant @bw]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 06/09/2019 14:18:17:

My USB microscope from Aldi is surprisingly good but the latency means using it for machining would be pointless.

People often over estimate how much magnification they need. What about something like this?

I use a 5x one of those with my little sherline, got it from Aldi a few years ago. A quick google shows that 10x ones are also available from various online shops.

Bill

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 06/09/2019 13:55:09:

Posted by BW on 06/09/2019 13:27:17:

Are these things useful for us shed dwellers or do you have to crouch dangerously close to the spinning workpiece to get it focussed ?

……………

Note: In the Surgical Loupes, the supplementary lens is chosen to optimise the working distance [which is equal to its focal length] … Dentists typically work closer than Cardiac Surgeons.

I owned and used a heine loupe here albeit an earlier model. the biggest issue was a need to carefully hold one's head at a set distance from the patient to keep focus and a learning curve on depth perception from the viewpoint of manipulatng tools for delicate surgery. Once I aged to needing spectacles I'd have had to fit prescription lenses into them (and prevented colleagues from their use). Instead I had the optician make me up a spare pair of specs with a flip-down addtional mag lens. It didn't have quite the same magnification but was lighter, easier to wear for longer periods and frankly cheaper and more convenient – easy to flip up and down as needed (just keep a sterile handled tool near by).

It used to be (is?) possible to buy a cheapish safety goggle with a magnfiying lens – worth considering if close to swarf.

pgk

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Thanks to all these helpful and polite replies. i have a pair of cheap telescopic glasses; yes you have to be really close up. The you tube digital also I have looked at the main critiisism is hand eye coordination which needs adjusting to. Michael's post on the quality dentist magnifiers is of interest and I think is the way to go.In the meantime I am modifying my microscope so at least it can be used by simply adding a taller pole. Unfortunately reducing a 500mm solid aluminium pole by 0.5mm to fit was made very difficult as I could not use my 8 inch lathe but have files and sanded (with mask on0 and am nearly there. not sure I understand Neis rejection of the illuminated magnifier having latency, it would introduce likely distortion but not latency 9correct me if i am wrong).

Next problem how to get a dentists pair of magnifiers….I will phone my local dentist up and see if they are helpful.

Regards

Chris

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Having just done that video in the rod thread all you need is your magnetic DTI stand, toolmakers clamp and your mobile phone, set it to camera and zoom in, works quite well Infact I have used the phone as a magnifier a couple of times on site when needing to look at very small items or print.

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Posted by Chris TickTock on 07/09/2019 09:40:29:

Next problem how to get a dentists pair of magnifiers….I will phone my local dentist up and see if they are helpful.

Regards

Chris

Dentists magnifiers

pgk

[Steve CrowParticipant @stevecrow46066]

I find the Optivisor headset excellent for when I'm turning very small parts.

You choose the lens by focal distance rather than magnification so you can select one that is comfortable to work with. This helps prevent any aches and pains from being scrunched up. Very comfortable on the head too.

Good stereo vision, decent width and depth of field and you can "look under them" for a naked-eye view without lifting the visor.

If you get an opportunity to try a pair, please do. They are the only form of magnification I've ever really got along with.

Steve

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

I almost universally use a clip on magnifier in the workshop, I occasionally use the optivisor headband but find it not as comfortable to wear for long periods.

I have good quality Zeiss clip ons in 4 & 6 dioptre strengths.

**LINK**

These when worn with my +2 reading glasses are great for really close up stuff working at about 150mm range.

Most of the time though, I use one of these with the 1.5x lens fitted and that gives me a working range of about 250mm, they are cheap as chips so if you break or scratch one it does'nt matter too much.

**LINK**

Not wishing to damage my eyes by using a £3 bit of plastic, I took it to my optitions yesterday when choosing some new glasses for the workshop. He put it on his lens strength testing machine and told me it was spot on and that he was quite impressed at the quality for the price, so carry on using it with no problems.

Just a thought……………..If a stereo microscope is used for watchmaking, does that make it a Horoscope ?

Phil

Edited By Phil P on 07/09/2019 11:39:38

Edited By Phil P on 07/09/2019 11:40:16

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Posted by Steve Crow on 07/09/2019 10:50:57:

I find the Optivisor headset excellent for when I'm turning very small parts.

You choose the lens by focal distance rather than magnification so you can select one that is comfortable to work with. This helps prevent any aches and pains from being scrunched up. Very comfortable on the head too.

Good stereo vision, decent width and depth of field and you can "look under them" for a naked-eye view without lifting the visor.

If you get an opportunity to try a pair, please do. They are the only form of magnification I've ever really got along with.

Steve

Yes, I'd second that Steve. I wish I'd purchased mine many years ago – they now live on my head whenever I'm in the workshop – they flip in and out of use as required. Mine focus at about 8" (forget the lens reference) but I also have the extra 'loupe' fitted which is very handy for looking at tool tips etc (and I can always find it!).

I do have an inexpensive USB microscope, which I've used in static applications when I've needed a close up view, as it's much easier on the back/neck if you are doing things (comparison and/or examination) for an extended period. I've got an old large (& very heavy) DTI stand and the scope works well when set up on it. I also used it once to see where a 'pointer' (held in the chuck) was on the back of some work I was trying to set-up in my small horizontal mill as I was having some difficulty seeing what was going on whilst twiddling the knobs…the LED light was very useful and looking at the laptop screen much easier (once I'd started to 'twiddle' in the right directions)

However for the smaller work I do, the Optivisor is ideal when actually turning it.

IanT

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Chris TickTock on 07/09/2019 09:40:29:

. not sure I understand Neis rejection of the illuminated magnifier having latency, it would introduce likely distortion but not latency 9correct me if i am wrong).

Not sure I understand either? If you read what I wrote I said my USB microscope had latency, which is why i suggested just using a magnifier..

Someone asked about safety googles with close up lenses in, yes they are readily available ()stand at all the shows I have been to recently).

Optivisor should be fine for things like balance staffs…

Best solution is the one I use – myopia. I just take off my glasses, wear safety specs and make sure nothing is dangling near the rotating work.

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 07/09/2019 13:25:15:

Posted by Chris TickTock on 07/09/2019 09:40:29:

. not sure I understand Neis rejection of the illuminated magnifier having latency, it would introduce likely distortion but not latency 9correct me if i am wrong).

Yes Sorry Neil got hold of the wrong end of the stick. For most things probably an optivisor will do as you say. Jason also has come up with the bright idea of using the mobile phone as a magnifying device. Don't yet fully get that but will look into that in a few minutes. I have also just received some updated advice on cutting a staff using the wheels as opposed to the graver. The advice really is that a microscope isn't necessary as you need to watch the wheels. I get that but with a more inexperienced machinist such as myself magnification would be very useful to see what is going on and what I am achieving in terms of cuts on small items.

Regards

Chris

Not sure I understand either? If you read what I wrote I said my USB microscope had latency, which is why i suggested just using a magnifier..

Someone asked about safety googles with close up lenses in, yes they are readily available ()stand at all the shows I have been to recently).

Optivisor should be fine for things like balance staffs…

Best solution is the one I use – myopia. I just take off my glasses, wear safety specs and make sure nothing is dangling near the rotating work.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Was that info from me where I pointed out what jerry had said in his reply and the same in his older posts?

He also lives dangerously and uses a Loupe, thought you would have gone for that too.

As for the phone just find a way to hold it an dyou have big screen viewing

Edited By JasonB on 07/09/2019 16:29:01

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

This forum is not for me.

Chris

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Oh dear. Good luck wherever your travels may take you next

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

This is WAY above my pay grade ! I can just about see the lathe, never mind what,s in it.

I do admire anyone who can do this stuff.

[Bill PhinnParticipant @billphinn90025]

Posted by Steve Crow on 07/09/2019 10:50:57:

I find the Optivisor headset excellent for when I'm turning very small parts.

You choose the lens by focal distance rather than magnification so you can select one that is comfortable to work with. T

Steve

The problem comes, Steve, when you really do need the extra magnification but would like to maintain a comfortable focal distance. Sadly, the most powerful Optivisor, the DA-10, with a magnification of 3.5X, has a focal distance of only 4 inches. I wouldn't feel too safe with my face only four inches away from a standard lathe chuck with its protruding jaws spinning towards me at so many 100s of rpm. In fact with most of the small stuff I'd typically need to be four inches away from in order to see it properly I'd be closer to the chuck than the workpiece by a distance effectively equal to the chuck's radius – too close for comfort.

For working on things ranging from four inches away to about two feet away (in other words, most things you'll typically work on in a workshop) I'd trade my presbyopia for Neil's myopia any day; people like Neil don't need five different pairs of reading glasses or five different kinds of Optivisor to be able to focus at all these distances (I've got five of both, and the need for the more powerful ones increases every year), nor do they need to mimic the archetypal old dodderer who spends half his day peering uncomfortably over the top of his glasses whenever he needs to take a quick glance at something that is further away than the thing he happens to be working on.

I would gladly stump up for some dental loupes if there was anywhere close to me where I could try them on and be sure they suited me. The mail-order firms with a try and return policy are all very well, but how many pairs would I need to try before I got the right pair or they got sick of me?

Edited By Bill Phinn on 09/09/2019 16:49:58

[Steve CrowParticipant @stevecrow46066]

Bill, I am also blessed (?) with myopia. Anything under 8 inches is pin sharp, everything over that and I'm in varifocal land.

Also my lathe is tiny and most of the real small stuff I do is in collets so I can get right up close.

I mentioned my hobby to my optician who told me he tests the people from an assay office and other "close" trades and makes special close-up specs for them.

I got a pair made and they are perfect for the 6 to 18 inch range.

Also, I never do any naked eye work, no matter how benign, without safety specs. Because I've worn specs for most of my life, I forget they are "not there" and had a couple of near misses with needle files, for example. I got a pair of those posh ones you see on the Arc-Euro ads and they a very light and comfortable and very clear too compared to those scratchy old ones of yore.

How do dentists know what they need? Maybe check an amateur dentists forum!

Steve

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