Magnifying glass for grafting

[sfisher]

Does anyone have any good links for the round magnifying glass on a arm with a light, that is used while grafting?

[squarepeg]

you may want to consider strong magnifying reading glasses, about +4.00 to +6.00 if you don't wear glasses for distance. these with a good light will give you good depth perception and enough magnification. a binocular jeweler's loupe will do.

[ralph3]

My last couple sets of grafts I used this. Works well. Still may need another source of light though.

http://www.harborfreight.com/head-st...ght-95890.html

[BeeTax]

I got one on eBay but the focal distance makes it hard to use.

[David W.]

I use the one like you ask about with a adjustable arm and has a light built in. I bought it at Meijers,Office Max had one but it was not as strong Magnifying and was a couple dollars more.I like the one from Meijers the round tube florescent light doesn't seem to get to hot and the arm adjustment stays tight.I don't remember the cost maybe $20-30.

[Scott Klein]

The lighted 2X magnifier will allow you to view your cells for grafting correctly aged larvae. Easily clamps to the top of your frame or surfaces of up to 2" thickness, allowing you to keep your hands free. The flexible arm allows the optimum adjustment. Used LED lights and measures 4" in diameter.

https://kelleybees.com/Products/Deta...32333733343336

[AstroBee]

User Lauri posted this a long time back.

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...ighlight=light

Looks like a good quality light, but its a bit pricey.

[jim lyon]

User Lauri posted this a long time back.

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...ighlight=light

Looks like a good quality light, but its a bit pricey.

That looks really nice but I am wondering if a 100 watt halogen bulb might throw off a lot of heat.

[squarepeg]

i think mp does some grafting in his vehicle as well.

mp i noticed in your video that you wear prescription glasses. i do too.

one option for you would be to have your eye doctor come up with a custom pair of magnifiers for your eyes. i had some made like that for fly fishing, and i believe they are going to be perfect for grafting too.

basically my doctor took my prescription and added enough close up power and something she called prism to get the focus just close enough with being too close.

for the light, i have something almost identical to this i got from walmart:

http://www.target.com/p/energizer-6-...t/-/A-11234023

it might cost a little more, but it might be worth it if you are doing a lot of grafting.

[db_land]

Here is a magnified image of comb cells made using my iPhone Mag.Light app:
I put a speck of sawdust in the middle, slightly damaged cell to simulate an egg or small larva --- the white speck is at the bottom right wall if the cell.

Barry: I think we need an "Applied Technology" forum. The smart phone technology is quite amazing and has many potential applications in all aspects of beekeeping.

[AstroBee]

That looks really nice but I am wondering if a 100 watt halogen bulb might throw off a lot of heat.

Jim,

That could very well be an issue. I don't have personal experience with that, but halogen bulbs do throw a lot of heat. An LED would be far better.

I actually bought this one in December: http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com...oductinfo/239/

It seems okay, but not super great quality - it appears to be built in Russia. I'll give it a go this spring. My son tried it and said he could see the bottom of the cells better without it - but of course 10 year old eyes can count the hairs on a flea.

[sfisher]

What do you think the best focal lengh is for grafting. I'm guessing 8"

[sfisher]

Db do you have the name of the app that you used. I have download 3 of them and thay all stink. I can't even see my hand in them. They won't focus.

[squarepeg]

i haven't done it yet, but i already have some with 10" focal length, and i think they will be enough. if not i'll bump it down to 8".

[Michael Palmer]

I've always used a loupe headset, with an led headlamp on top. A bit clumsy to put on the loupe and then the head lamp. Someone ripped them at EAS when I left them in the apiary. I'm considering this one piece loupe and light.

http://www.amazon.com/Jewelers-Light...f=pd_sim_hpc_3

Any other good ideas?

[Mr.Beeman]

You would really enjoy using a flytyers light. It is well lit and uses a very strong magnifying lens on an arm. I've had one like this for years.

images.jpeg

[squarepeg]

I've always used a loupe headset, with an led headlamp on top. A bit clumsy to put on the loupe and then the head lamp. Someone ripped them at EAS when I left them in the apiary. I'm considering this one piece loupe and light.

http://www.amazon.com/Jewelers-Light...f=pd_sim_hpc_3

Any other good ideas?

the only problem i see with that one is that if you want to go above the 1.5x you only have one eye, and not much depth perception.

[db_land]

Db do you have the name of the app that you used. I have download 3 of them and thay all stink. I can't even see my hand in them. They won't focus.

The app is called "MagLight+Magnifying Glass" (abreviated on my iphone with "Mag.Light"). I downloaded it from the "App Store" at the iTunes website. At the time I downloaded it, the app was free --- now it looks like they're asking 99 cents for it. Here's a link for it https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magn...406048120?mt=8