"Helping Hands" or Lighted Magnifiers, etc - do you guys use them?

[subver]

I'm thinking of getting a nice set of "helping hands"

Or some kind of lighted magnifier... especially since I got a Tsaf, I don't have a lot of light in my apartment at night and it's hard to put the wires together. I think it would help for wrapping coils, too.

Do you guys use anything like that? I'm trying to find a good quality item.. a lot of stuff I see on Amazon has many bad reviews. There is one for $75 but that is a bit too expensive!

I was even thinking of one of those lighted magnifiers that goes on your head, that would be useful!

Any suggestions?

 

[RiverNut]

I need a magnifyer too and found the same problem...a bunch of crap. But my old eyes are getting tired of straining. I don't see the "hands" being necessary but a well made magnifyer/light combo would be nice.

 

[gtbb]

Hay Sub I think the lighted magnifier for your head is a better idea. I have helping hands and never used them for coil making. And while I don't have a lighted magnifier for my head while using the Tsaf I see how that could be useful. Hope that makes sense.

 

[spacekitty]

I've got one like this, and it works just fine...
Nice bright light and good sized lens... although it could be a little bit taller, but most of them are about the same height.

http://www.harborfreight.com/jumbo-helping-hands-with-led-lights-65779.html

 

[subver]

Yeah I can't really see myself using the alligator clips, but I'm sure if I don't get it I will need them somehow haha.
But yeah.. a lighted magnifier would probably be great... it's hard to use the Tsaf when I can't see up very close to the wires.. it's hit or miss (especially when it's dark out) even if I get a good spark.
I do have a science and hobby shop near me, I will have to check them out first.

 

[dokebilee]

Reminds me of this

 

[house mouse]

My kitchen table has a bright light over it and I just use the reading glasses from Wal Mart to rebuild coils with. That works fine for me and I can't see squat up close. Maybe those glasses and a bright table lamp would work for you?

 

[MamaTried]

wrapped my first coil today with help of the one above from harbor freight.

 

[subver]

Haha yeah that helmet from Honey I Shrunk the Kids would be great!

I think one of those lighted magnifiers on an arm would be more than enough to help. I'm looking at this now. Not sure where I could get one local.. I would rather do that I think. Maybe WalMart or Target?

 

[subver]

For those of you using welders like the Tsaf, Manolis gave me a really good idea that might help.
Basically, just put your wires in a pencil like this:

That way you are only working in 2 dimensions instead of 3. I can't wait to try this! I think it'll make it infinitely easier.

 

[Darkreign]

I got a pair of these and the magnification works great, but the light is next to useless. Hey, what do you expect for $10.00 ?


InspectUSA.com Magnifier Binocular 1.8, 2.3, 3.7, 4.8x (V-VTMG6) Integral Light

For lighting i got this about 4 years ago from Ikea. The flexible shaft makes it indispensable for lighting in tight places.

JANSJÖ LED work lamp - black - IKEA

 

[*ASH*]

I think I will try this next time lol

 

[Jojobo]

hahahaha and my husband laughs at ME when I where two pair of glasses because I can't see the wires.....ROFL

View attachment 231858

Reminds me of this

 

[gtbb]

Amazing what you people will do for your GG's! I love it.

 

[erich]

I haven't needed one (yet) for building coils, but I have used both for soldering. The hands with the clips are definitely useful when you need to hold a board, a soldering iron, and solder. However, I generally don't need the third hand for building coils. To focus through a magnifier, you have to align the distance between your eyes, your target, and the glass. With the alligator clips, you're basically limited to moving only your head, where the magnifier gives you the freedom to move your hands up and down as well. At least for me, the latter is more naturally intuitive. It seems to just work out that I keep it in focus, whereas with the clips, I constantly find myself having to adjust my head.

 

[anavidfan]

I use a large lighted magnifying stand on rollers like this , I had a set of the small "helping hands" mine was not lighted, but the area of the glass was too small and limiting. Amazon has a good sized lighted stand with a large area to see and enough space under it to work with.

 

[dspin]

this is the one I use - cant be without it, the light part of is useless, but I have no need of a light.


Amazon.com: Carson MagniLamp Lighted 2-in-1 Magnifier: Sports & Outdoors

 

[RiverNut]

I finally bought one....no more going outside in direct light to see what I'm doing. I can't believe I went this long without one. Sometimes, I just don't know about me

I went for this one which is a little more expensive but hopefully the light will be useful Amazon.com: Carson LM-20 2X LED Illuminated Magnifier & Desk Lamp: Sports & Outdoors

 

[gtbb]

I finally bought one....no more going outside in direct light to see what I'm doing. I can't believe I went this long without one. Sometimes, I just don't know about me

I went for this one which is a little more expensive but hopefully the light will be useful Amazon.com: Carson LM-20 2X LED Illuminated Magnifier & Desk Lamp: Sports & Outdoors

That one looks great! Should do the trick. Enjoy.