Magnification

 One thing that anyone fooling with electronics and radio ought to have is a good magnifier.  It's not just a matter of getting old, even young folks who have no trouble threading a needle might miss the laser part marking on components or questionable solder joints.  A good light source is important but pair it with a good magnifier for best results.

I've collected some freebie magnifiers over the years.  This classic style magnifying "glass" was from a 20th century IEEE "Cherry Hill" testing tradeshow:

one of the better freebies

Another was from Mill-Max, I might have sent in a bingo card for that.

a handy pocket magnifier

  BTW I do buy Mill-Max sockets for the kits so the magnifier was a good investment on their part :)

I've also got lenses from various 35 mm SLR cameras that can be used as a magnifier now that the era of film cameras is ending.

not that great as a magnifier

  The 50 mm "normal" lenses have very high-quality glass lenses but they are kinda heavy and unwieldy and the magnification isn't that high.  Apparently the shorter focal lengths result in a higher magnification, where did I put that 35mm lens ?

But the one I use everyday is an Agfa 8x magnifier.

the one that gets used everyday

  I believe this one was purchased from Porter's Camera in Iowa, the famous now departed mail order store with the newsprint catalog, I remember they sold a dust brush with Polonium in it, one of the most poisonous elements in the periodic table !

Anyway, the Agfa is a plastic magnifier that was meant for 35mm slides or negatives but which works fine for looking at electronic parts.  You can put it down on a flat surface like a bare circuit board.  Or turn it around and use it like an eye loupe to examine component markings.  The 8x magnification factor is a little higher than most other magnifiers.

I've seen 8x loupe magnifiers similar to the Agfa on ebay for under $15, used ones are fine as long as they aren't scratched.

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm