to those who started with loupes and later turned to the scope- how difficult is the transition ? did it take long to get used to the new way ?i have used loupes for 30 plus years and am thinking about a scope, but am unsure .
transition to scope
- Thread starter monk
- Start date
Billzach
Elite Cafe Member
It took me about 3 or 4 days when i went from a visor and a loupe to a microscope to get used to it , It,s been about 6 years and if i had to go back, my engraving would come to a halt.
Hi,
I had a terrible time to get use to the scope. I started with a .5 barlow lens and the magnification was to great and I just couldn't comprehend the scale of my cuts. I finally got a .4 barlow lense which at its lowest end is about the same as a #10 magnavisor and that solved my problem. I rarely use the magnavisor any more.
I had a terrible time to get use to the scope. I started with a .5 barlow lens and the magnification was to great and I just couldn't comprehend the scale of my cuts. I finally got a .4 barlow lense which at its lowest end is about the same as a #10 magnavisor and that solved my problem. I rarely use the magnavisor any more.
The first day I hated it. The second day I began to get the feel for it. The third day I called Olympus in NY and ordered one. This was in 1982, and I've been using one every day since then. / ~Sam
Joe Mason
Elite Cafe Member
It took me about 2 days to get the hang of working in so close and the depth of cut. Make the move you will love it.
Joe
www.joemasonengraving.com
Joe
www.joemasonengraving.com
FANCYGUN
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Monk
Like you I started years ago with an optivisor. I got a microscope 6 years ago after having back surgery so I can sit upright more. It took me a while to get used to it and I do enjoy it for certain things. Shading and lettering in particular. However, contrary to the trend with my fellow engravers, I still prefer the optivisor when doing my game animals. I just like the freedom of movement I have with the headset and maybe I'm just too set in my ways. I just feel I can see the over all scene better as a whole. I do find that i now have two sets of gravers. One for the microscope and one for the optivisor. The microscope set I have ground away much more of the non cutting waste of the graver tip so it's not so dang large looking.
I also have found that new engraving students that I have had seem to prefer the microscope.
Marty
Like you I started years ago with an optivisor. I got a microscope 6 years ago after having back surgery so I can sit upright more. It took me a while to get used to it and I do enjoy it for certain things. Shading and lettering in particular. However, contrary to the trend with my fellow engravers, I still prefer the optivisor when doing my game animals. I just like the freedom of movement I have with the headset and maybe I'm just too set in my ways. I just feel I can see the over all scene better as a whole. I do find that i now have two sets of gravers. One for the microscope and one for the optivisor. The microscope set I have ground away much more of the non cutting waste of the graver tip so it's not so dang large looking.
I also have found that new engraving students that I have had seem to prefer the microscope.
Marty
Marcus Hunt
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Like most new tools it takes a few days to get acquainted with but soon becomes second nature. The first problem I had was, because you are in effect looking straight ahead, placing the tool on the work piece was difficult; a bit like patting your head and rubbing your belly! But this was overcome reasonably quickly and I don't even think about it now.
The other problem, which was quite a major one for me, is cutting too small! It took quite a while to equate the scale of the magnified image with what it looks like to the naked eye. In other words I'd cut a scroll which looked huge under the scope and ended up tiny and totally out of proportion with what it should be. I still have to make a conscious effort to cut larger in order to get the final correct size. But that said, I wouldn't be without the scope now.
With the neck problems (and surgery on it) that I've just had and the potential problems in the future, due to all the years of hunching over with a loupe and optivisor, I'd say a microscope is a must for anyone who is concerned about their health. I suppose it doesn't matter so much if you're a part-time hobbyist but for a full time professional you've either got to be crazy not to use one or incredibly lucky like my father.
The other problem, which was quite a major one for me, is cutting too small! It took quite a while to equate the scale of the magnified image with what it looks like to the naked eye. In other words I'd cut a scroll which looked huge under the scope and ended up tiny and totally out of proportion with what it should be. I still have to make a conscious effort to cut larger in order to get the final correct size. But that said, I wouldn't be without the scope now.
With the neck problems (and surgery on it) that I've just had and the potential problems in the future, due to all the years of hunching over with a loupe and optivisor, I'd say a microscope is a must for anyone who is concerned about their health. I suppose it doesn't matter so much if you're a part-time hobbyist but for a full time professional you've either got to be crazy not to use one or incredibly lucky like my father.
Joe Mason
Elite Cafe Member
The other problem said:
FANCYGUN
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
So Marcus.........since we have both had surgery...does this make us both members of the "Fraternal Order of the Scar"?
well, fokes thanx a heep for your quick replies. i need to steal another $150.00 or so grocery money for the airgraver, then i'll start lookin for a scope. i must admit, i'm jittery about the change, but after all the knowledgeable advice, i must give it a go. was it churchill that once said that we had only fear itself to fear ?
thank you all again
thank you all again
joe: did you do the preliminary layout away from the scope? if you did, i'm confused as to how the proportions got messed up ? i'm gettin concerned now, i have won a bid on a scope and it's on its' way.
Joe Mason
Elite Cafe Member
It was not clear what I was talking about. Sorry about that. Sometimes I will do a layout looking through the scope. If I get too close, what I draw may be too small when viewed without the scope. It works better for me to back out on the magnification so I can see all the area I am working.
You will love your new scope. Let us know when you get it setup.
You will love your new scope. Let us know when you get it setup.
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