Good Loupe and scales

[RVRoamer74]

As you know I need badly a loupe for sure, and would also like a set of scales for my "Future" treasures

hopefully same company,,,,,just don't know if they allow suggesting companies that aren't sponsors or not.


Must be in a tight budget limitation......any suggestions appreciated !!!! Kind of jiving on the budget thing.....sort of


Thanks and HH,

Dennis

 

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[sandswimmer]

Harbor freight has the loupes and other magnification stuff you need, don't know if they have scales, but scales are easy to find on the internet...ebay,amazon and they're very inexpensive, like under $10 bucks. Have a $6 dollar one I got 5 years ago and still using the same battery.
SS

 

[RVRoamer74]

Harbor freight has the loupes and other magnification stuff you need, don't know if they have scales, but scales are easy to find on the internet...ebay,amazon and they're very inexpensive, like under $10 bucks. Have a $6 dollar one I got 5 years ago and still using the same battery.
SS

Thanks sandswimmer,

Man,,,,,,thought wayyyy more expensive than that......good to hear

 

[sandswimmer]

You can also google, "gold test kit" and then click images....there are many kits that include everything in them including loupe and scale.
SS

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Yep Dennis, they're affordable!

On the loop, I prefer 10x maginification. Good for checking marks, easy in the pocket. I've a couple of higher magnification ones which just aren't suitable for our specific needs.

I also purchased a Celestron digital microscope - this ones a pain in the arse, won't tighten up. I'm going with one with a fixed stand in my next evolution! But they take great detailed pictures and aren't that expensive. You might want one of those later on.

But! Don't get this one unless you're patient!

 

[RVRoamer74]

You can also google, "gold test kit" and then click images....there are many kits that include everything in them including loupe and scale.
SS

GREAT !!!!! Thanks once again !!!!!

 

[RVRoamer74]

Yep Dennis, they're affordable!

On the loop, I prefer 10x maginification. Good for checking marks, easy in the pocket. I've a couple of higher magnification ones which just aren't suitable for our specific needs.

I also purchased a Celestron digital microscope - this ones a pain in the arse, won't tighten up. I'm going with one with a fixed stand in my next evolution! But they take great detailed pictures and aren't that expensive. You might want one of those later on.


But! Don't get this one unless you're patient!

View attachment 1345222

Thanks for info Roger,,,,,no wonder there are some great pics on here,,,and close up for sure. Got a trip coming in two weeks,,,,,hope to have by then,,,I'm an optimist

HH

Dennis

 

[Top]

As others have said, these things aren't as expensive as you might first think. But you can locate most of it via Amazon. Gold test kit, diamond tester, scales, loupe, etc. I think I spent less than $100 on everything.

 

[kcm]

Yep Dennis, they're affordable!

On the loop, I prefer 10x maginification. Good for checking marks, easy in the pocket. I've a couple of higher magnification ones which just aren't suitable for our specific needs.

I also purchased a Celestron digital microscope - this ones a pain in the arse, won't tighten up. I'm going with one with a fixed stand in my next evolution! But they take great detailed pictures and aren't that expensive. You might want one of those later on.

But! Don't get this one unless you're patient!

View attachment 1345222

Gotta agree with ya on that stupid base! Is the WORST thing ever to try and put on a USB microscope!! I got one that has a plastic base with plastic rack and pinion lift adjustment - works beautifully!! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DDJAGUS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

However, am using more a magnifier set now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ATIFSF4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I find that I can quickly scan coins best with the magnifier and, if need to, grab my VERY OLD 10X loupe to check closer. After a while of setting coins aside, I can then pull out the USB microscope and zoom in up to 1000X or so.

I've heard some great things about the following loupes but have not yet purchased. Probably will get some, just to check them out.:
https://www.amazon.com/Illuminated-...ie=UTF8&qid=1470679479&sr=8-12&keywords=loupe

https://www.amazon.com/SE-Loupe-Set...ie=UTF8&qid=1470679479&sr=8-16&keywords=loupe

https://www.amazon.com/KINGMAS®-Poc..._SR160,160_&psc=1&refRID=KHVZK448TPRQC3EY8ZVP

Didn't see this one when I was looking for such a loupe, so am very anxious to try it, also:
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Mag...ie=UTF8&qid=1470679479&sr=8-19&keywords=loupe


Btw, I had also tried a large 5.5" magnifying glass but sent it back almost immediately. It was a dust magnet, and not very clear to look through:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FNK0FE2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[kcm]

As for the scales, I got 4 to cover any possible needs. From smallest to largest:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016RB87TG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GS8LWIW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W7IOV4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032TNPOE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So far, I have used the 2nd scale the most BY FAR!! The first is so sensitive that you have to use the provided cover, as just your normal, calm breath will throw the unit off. The 3rd scale is good to 55 lbs., and nice! 4th scale is a digital bathroom scale. This was actually the most difficult one to choose, as it was hard to find one that people were really pleased with. Well, as far as digital bathroom scales goes, this is it! So now we're good anywhere from 1/100 gram on up to 300 lbs.

 

[RVRoamer74]

Looks like I have some homework to do. Thanks on all the links and advice,,,,lots of help for sure !!!!

hard to imagine a 1/100 gram of anything,,,,,a hair off a frogs wart,,,,maybe

 

[fongu]

A lady I've talked to at gemstone press said get a 10X loupe with dark colored loupe and you can see better than one with bright metal tube. This was for jewelry but may apply to coins as well. I have several 30x loupes and hardly ever use them and destroyed one with a led light on it trying to fix the switch. Lighthouse makes a good usb microscope and have come down in prices lately.

 

[RVRoamer74]

View attachment 1354622

Ended up with these. Probably may have to tweek, but as a newbie, have to start somewhere. Thanks for all links and advice !!

 

[kcm]

I had gotten that same loupe set. I wish you better luck than I had, as it was returned. It was ok, but already have other things that worked better for my needs. Is a very small eyepiece to look through, and you gotta be super close to the object to get in focus. BUT, I've heard tons of great things about them, so I'm probably just too picky.

 

[ARC]

Anything solid built and 30x mag... anything less is um... heh

Cheap digital scales are found at head shops and some gas stations that sell tobacco products...
U.S. Balance Scales... is recommended... they take a lickin and keep on tickin.
And will be less than 20 bucks.

Get one with good cover for plate for they make all kinds and types...
And make sure that it weighs in tenths of a gram... OZ...DWT... and ct if possible.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Dennis, did you get a scratch stone with the gold/silver test kit? I don't see one in your picture.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Gotta agree with ya on that stupid base! Is the WORST thing ever to try and put on a USB microscope!! I got one that has a plastic base with plastic rack and pinion lift adjustment - works beautifully!! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DDJAGUS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just ordered this for $26.99 delivered. Thanks for posting, hadn't found this one, and the ones I was looking at were more than double the cost.

The wiggly one I have? I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

 

[kcm]

I've searched high and low for an optical microscope that would take decent images of coins. Haven't found an affordable one yet. ...But then part of it might also be my lighting. I need to try incandescent lighting, but all I have around me now is LED and compact fluorescent. Have heard the lighting makes a lot of difference on minerals, but don't know if the same holds true for coins.

 

[RVRoamer74]

Thanks for advice the loupe set IS tedious. I think in the packet of chemicals there is a scratch pad. don't have much invested in this stuff as you can tell but like I said Will tweak and hopefully end up okay after a while. live and learn. Thanks again for all the advice

 

[kcm]

This is the loupe that I inherited from my Dad's machine shop:
Mitutoyo Pocket Comparator; 8x Magnification

I cannot speak highly enough about the image quality, tool quality, and the optics quality. I had been thinking it was 10x, but now I notice (again!) that it's 8x. However, I also found this and, from that company, this is a nice price:
https://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-183-302-10X-Clear-Loupe/dp/B002SG7Q2Y

Now, if you REALLY wanna dream..... try this one on for size:
https://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-183-304-Reticle-Magnification-Graduation/dp/B001TQV2RY

When I'm looking through lots of coins quickly, I'll go with the magnifier set that I mentioned in Post #9:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ATIFSF4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When not looking at coins en masse, I keep the Mitutoyo easily within reach as my go-to loupe. That little jewel has gotten me out of a lot of potentially stupid posts, as I was able to so clearly see what was really there. I like the USB microscope as well, but only use it for higher magnification and to take pics to post.

And the scale you got - that's my go-to as well. Just gotta keep an eye on the display when using repeatedly, as sometimes you'll have to turn it off, then back on again to reset to zero. Sorta like re-booting your PC now and then. I've had to re-boot the scale sometimes after 2 or 3 weighs, but other times I can go for several dozen weighs before re-booting it. If you take everything off of the scale but the scale display won't go back to zero, that's when you'll have to re-boot it. When I learned that lesson, I was moving quickly and not paying attention. Had to re-weigh a couple hundred coins.