A Crummy Commercial

Yes, magnifiers have been mentioned before:  https://wb9kzy.blogspot.com/2025/03/magnifier.html  I found this "new" lighted magnifier in the office: Not sure how useful it will be.  It takes C cells - which are getting rarer at least in this house.  There were a couple of alkalines in it but luckily no damaging leakage.  I looked at C cells for sale at Mann's store today, over $8 for 4 no-name alkalines !  Nope !  So I dug out my old GE NiCd C cells which I used to use with cassette tape recorders way back to college - can they really be that old (over 40 years) and still take a charge ?   Yup, at least enough to demo that the light is kinda weak. yes, it is turned on     I'm still seeking a perfect magnifier solution. Best Regards, Chuck, WB9KZY http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm

Magnification has been mentioned previously: https://wb9kzy.blogspot.com/2022/03/magnification.html  Since then I found this magnifier while looking through some boxes: I don't remember where I got it from or the cost but it's become one of the most used items on my bench.  It isn't the quality of the magnifier so much as all the other magnifiers I use have some kind of case or wrapper involved.  This steel and glass thing just sits there ready for use: Just dust it off once in a while and it's good enough to help with soldering or inspection.  I've got some more powerful magnifiers if needed but I always try this one first.  I rarely use the alligator clips or change any of the little adjustments - it just works as is - highly recommended ! Best Regards, Chuck, WB9KZY http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm

 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 bu...