Magnifying glass

[Ohio piper]

Hello, 

I need a new magnifying glass. I looked on here to see if there were any recent reviews or suggestions on which one is good one. The one on Seyco is really expensive and the light don’t look that great. I did watch this  video and it looks like a great option. https://youtu.be/WA4S4XTTdqg?si=HmKKRxPkDVrNkrjQ

but I did see one with a 12x magnifier but not sure if I need one that strong. Has anyone bought one recently and could recommend? Thanks 

[CharleyL]

I've always had difficulty using the magnifying lenses for working my scroll saws. The variation in the lens as you leave the center field of view really messes with my vision and brain. I found that since my eyes are both in need of magnification at close to the same amount, the store bought eye glasses of higher magnification work far better for me. For scroll sawing, I now use 4X lens glasses from Amazon for scroll sawing. Larger puts my nose too close to the action and I fear damage when magnifying larger. Set your cell phone for video and hold it over your saw in about the desired place to see if it will make a good and fancy magnifying instrument for you. My quick attempts have been very positive.

I had this idea, which I didn't implement yet, but it might be something for you to try. A no longer used cell phone on some kind of stand that will let you hold it over the saw and in front of you might work well for you. The optics in cell phones are far better than many of these "lens on stand arrangements" and some even allow you to change the magnification too. You may need additional light sources, but there is also the "flashlight" mode of the cell phone to consider, and you can make a video of your cutting process as you work too.

Charley

 

 

Edited January 24 by CharleyL

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, CharleyL said:

I've always had difficulty using the magnifying lenses for working my scroll saws. The variation in the lens as you leave the center field of view really messes with my vision and brain. I found that since my eyes are both in need of magnification at close to the same amount, the store bought eye glasses of higher magnification work far better for me. For scroll sawing, I now use 4X lens glasses from Amazon for scroll sawing. Larger puts my nose too close to the action and I fear damage when magnifying larger. Set your cell phone for video and hold it over your saw in about the desired place to see if it will make a good and fancy magnifying instrument for you. My quick attempts have been very positive.

I had this idea, which I didn't implement yet, but it might be something for you to try. A no longer used cell phone on some kind of stand that will let you hold it over the saw and in front of you might work well for you. The optics in cell phones are far better than many of these "lens on stand arrangements" and some even allow you to change the magnification too. You may need additional light sources, but there is also the "flashlight" mode of the cell phone to consider, and you can make a video of your cutting process as you work too.

Charley

 

 

I use my cell phone and tape it to the cheap menards / harbor freight style magnifier light when I make videos for YouTube.. Not sure how the magnifier lens affects the cell phone but I used to have many people comment on how they liked my videos showing a good close up of the cutting process.. back then most people were using some sort of cell phone clamp and the view would not be a direct view of what you were cutting but rather a side view or some other indirect view that never really showed the cut line / blade etc. 

Anyway for me it was much harder to cut since my cell phone was small and I was always used to the larger magnifier glass. But I did okay with it and made a few videos of me cutting projects out. I don't do a lot of posting on youtube but if anyone wants to check it out.. there might be some videos where the view if off to the side as I did experiment with a phone holder that had a flexible arm.. but most are just done by setting my phone on top of my magnifier light.

I don't know if this link will go to my channel or not.. It might be just a link to my youtube dashboard or whatever so may not work. Can always just look up KevsKrafts on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@kevskrafts1519

[Jim McDonald]

@Denny Knappen has a pretty good magnifier on his saw at Art Crafters. I don't use a magnifier, but did try his out on a visit.

[OCtoolguy]

I'm still using my H/F with an led bulb upgrade. 

[Sycamore67]

I have n Ottlite brand magnifying light and use a 3x lens.  I tried  5x but it was too strong.  The lens is glass an very good quality.  It is not mounted on the saw but next to it.

[Scrolling Steve]

For the money, the HF offering is very good.

[Scrappile]

I have a couple different ones.  Must admit the HF one is the one I use the most.  

[Ohio piper]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions 

[JimNC]

I tried them all but the best FOR ME are strong, quality,reading glasses and sewing machine led lights. I have several sets of each at eachat my "work stations". So, with that said, the best set up is what works for you.

[TAIrving]

1 hour ago, JimNC said:

I tried them all but the best FOR ME are strong, quality,reading glasses and sewing machine led lights. I have several sets of each at eachat my "work stations". So, with that said, the best set up is what works for you.

Same for me.  I can pick the strength of reading glasses that works best for me.  And I have no issues with mounting either the lens (on my face) or the lights (magnetic attach to the lifting arm of my scroll saw).  

[edward]

I am using a Harbor Freight which I have  had for two years!

 

[Garyrenee]

I agree with most. It’s whatever floats your boat. I use the flip up type because I where glasses and they come with multiple magnifying lenses. Mine are not lit like some models. I’m very satisfied with my modified light on my saw so I don’t need the extra lite

[CharleyL]

You can get the reading glasses at most drug stores, but when you want 3X and above they become difficult to find. I now use 4X that i buy from Amazon. 4.5-5X puts my nose too close to the cutting area, and makes me worry about flying chips and broken blades doing damage to me. I have used 3X and 3.5X for years when I need to read something. I had tried to find the otoscope glasses (if I remember the name correctly) like the surgeons wear, but the good ones are far out of my price range, and some that I found on Amazon and other sources proved to be too poorly made. These also had the eye spacing too close together. Maybe someone in China is built like this, but I am not. 

Charley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Murray R123]

I bought this a short while ago and it works quite well. The batteries last  long time. 

[Ohio piper]

On 1/28/2026 at 8:52 AM, Garyrenee said:

I agree with most. It’s whatever floats your boat. I use the flip up type because I where glasses and they come with multiple magnifying lenses. Mine are not lit like some models. I’m very satisfied with my modified light on my saw so I don’t need the extra lite

I will try these

[CharleyL]

I found, a long time ago that two lights, one on each side of the cutting area, removes the blade shadow and makes me far more accurate. Something to consider with your lighting, especially if you find yourself cutting a shadow line and not the pattern line. I haven't cut without two lights since then. One of my early posts on SSW covered my lighting information with pictures. I have replaced the lights with better, I think two times since.

Charley