Suggestion for a bench top magnifying lamp?

[Johnny1234]

Hi all.
Hope this is an appropriate category for this question. I am look for a magnifying lamp for my work bench.
Looking for something sturdy and reliable as I have run into to many POS in my travels. Maybe around 100
dollar range.
Many Thanks
Johnny1234

 

[pucho812]

I used to have something similar although mine was a standard fluorescent bulb. But here you go, 25 bucks and doesn't take up much counter space.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifier-St...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2UPMZGQGXZTQ0

 

[NOON]

If you're getting on in years and working on surface mount things then it's worth getting something with really good optics in the lens, I've found cheap ones to have more distortion, smaller usable area and poor depth of field. You can get much better quality in the second hand market. I got a great deal recently on 5 medical grade inspection lamps from a doctors surgery that was closing down. Still had fluoro tubes but you can easily get LED replacements on Amazon etc.

 

[Whoops]

I use this one, it works fine

 

[ruffrecords]

I have exactly the same model. Had it about 10 years now. Works perfectly. Also you can use it with reading glasses and get a kind of telescope effect. Very useful when reading values of very tiny components.

Cheers

ian

 

[Johnny1234]

Thanks for the replies.
Going to try the $35 dollar lamp from amazon, will let you know how it works out.

 

[VanguardAudioLabs]

Here's what i'm using. I have to make sure the knob is tight for the clamp every once in a while, but it's been awesome.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CQNPXTJR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[nashkato]

i found those lamps ( still have one from a doctors office ,though ) annoying.
dont know , i used them wrong most propably but it always got foggy from breath.
also i find the magnifying factor to low for my eyes .
i now use smaller lenses removed from a beamer/projector .
perfect for me if you need to find broken traces or shorts after reflowing.

 

[VanguardAudioLabs]

i found those lamps ( still have one from a doctors office ,though ) annoying.
dont know , i used them wrong most propably but it always got foggy from breath.
also i find the magnifying factor to low for my eyes .
i now use smaller lenses removed from a beamer/projector .
perfect for me if you need to find broken traces or shorts after reflowing.

Something like this might work for you instead. I have something similar that's a little older with a weaker light and without the swappable lenses. However it does have 3 lenses that you can "stack" to get incredibly close magnification.

A jeweler's loupe is also useful for me when inspecting PCBs or capsule damage.

 

[Whoops]

Thanks for the replies.
Going to try the $35 dollar lamp from amazon, will let you know how it works out.

You said you wanted "something sturdy and reliable as I have run into to many POS in my travels",
that lamp from amazon is very fragile and flimsy.
Look at the arm joints and compare to the lamp I posted, you will see that the one I use is much more robust.

That Amazon lamp will break in a pinch

 

[thelivingroom]

I use this one, it works fine

View attachment 138807

I’ve been using the one from Harbor Freight that’s very similar to that for the past 5+ years. Works great, and the magnification is good enough to read the dumb print on the blue TDK and Murata MLCC’s. I’m particular about lighting color temperature, for my sanity and shooting photos, and changed the fluorescent ring to a 3000K.

 

[pucho812]

Thanks for the replies.
Going to try the $35 dollar lamp from amazon, will let you know how it works out.

View attachment 138854

My old one was like that except fluorescent bulb. The clamp was great. The weak point was right were it would insert into the clamp. Flimsy metal.