Jewelers loop

MaxCast · « **on:** 5 Jan 2013, 02:41 pm »

What power loop is recommended to look at a stylus tip? Not really looking for a usb scope at this point, just something to gauge the condition of the diamond.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Jan 2013, 03:04 pm »

They're so cheap that I have ones from 10x to 40x. One has a 10x and a 20x on the same one. I like the 10x for general checking of azimuth and cleaning, higher powers to check stylus condition. A 100x USB microscope is the best for checking stylus wear.

sunnydaze · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Jan 2013, 03:05 pm »

40x. super cheap on E-Bay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=jewelers+loupe+40x&_sacat=0&_odkw=jewelers+loupe+30x&_osacat=0&_from=R40

Delacroix · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Jan 2013, 03:43 pm »

I've picked up a few over the years which I keep near my rig. I think you need to get a pretty high strength one to really see the diamond (probably at least, and ideally more than, 40x) but the trouble with these cheap loupes is the variability in their specs. What's labelled as 40x is sometimes no different from lower spec'd models. If anyone can point to a reliable model of that strength, with a lens that is large enough to use (the little 10mm ones are near impossible for me) that would be a great. Not used one with a built in light, maybe they help, I use a small torch angled to view on the platter.

JackD · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Jan 2013, 03:51 pm »

This is the best of the small ones I have found, but you really need 200x or more to see the real condition of the stone. Might want to check the school board suplus in your area as many of them have microscopes from the high school's for sale cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Carson-MM-200-Micromax-60X-100X-Microscope/dp/B000P8AUMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357400934&sr=8-1&keywords=carson+field+microscope

MaxCast · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Jan 2013, 05:04 pm »

H'mmm, a bit more involved than I was anticipating. The prices seem to be right though.
For the higher powered microscopes do you have to remove the stylus from the body or can you observe a cart mounded to a headshell?

JackD · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Jan 2013, 05:59 pm »

You can do it mounted with the handheld and with a regular microscope you can as long as there is enough travel distance between the objective lenses and the plate.

neobop · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Jan 2013, 06:36 pm »

Quote from: MaxCast on 5 Jan 2013, 05:04 pm

H'mmm, a bit more involved than I was anticipating. The prices seem to be right though.
For the higher powered microscopes do you have to remove the stylus from the body or can you observe a cart mounded to a headshell?

A high powered (200 to 500X) scope used to examine for wear, has an extremely short focal length. The objective lens is practically touching the stylus. Traditional looking scopes are used. They have a stage that is deep, to accommodate a cart. You also need high intensity side lights, because you're looking at the light reflected off the sides of the tip. A black background scope helps, and you have to know what you're looking for.

A lighted hand held magnifier 30, 40X, is good for general examination. You can also get what is called (I think) a linen magnifier. This is a low power magnifying glass that sits up at an angle and is good as an alignment aid.
neo