The One Tool That Will Make You a Better Watchmaker
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- Today I am going to show you the one tool that will take your watch service and repair to another level.
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DISCLOSURE: I often review or link to products & services I regularly use and think you might find helpful. Wherever possible I use referral links, which means if you click one of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation.
I am a big fan of Amazon, and many of my links to products/gear are links to those products on Amazon. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and related sites.
My Microscope Setup
► Amscope SM-3T watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... ( Amazon)
► Barlow Lens- watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
► LCD Ring Lite watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
► Hayear Microscope Camera watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
► Camera Adapter watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
Recommended Digital Microscope
► Digital Microscope watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
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All THE TOOLS & SUPPLIES I USE: watchrepairtutorials.com/tool...
********** - Jak na to + styl
I want to thank all my Patreon supporters and subscribers that have made donations to the channel to help in my journey to bring the type of information left out from other watch channels.
Thank you to all.
Steve Stroschein
Christopher J Vincent
Vincent Tiger
Mike Maltese
John Boyarsky
Paul Schumacker
Ray Everett
bill doog
Joe Chambers
Marcel Gustafson
James Pelletier
Great video as always. Good delivery and thorough coverage of the topic of microscopes. I bought this exact microscope when I got into engraving and was very happy when you endorsed it for working on watches.
@@rakhlin there are higher end scopes available but with all things considered, this setup offers a lot of bang for the buck and really makes the work a lot more enjoyable.
What I love about Alex’s video.. he addressed most of the other microscope reviewers avoid talking about. ‘Working distance’ - this is so critical if a hobby watch maker is going to use it for oiling cap jewels etc. that’s primarily the reason I want to get it. To be able to see better on what I am working on with two eyes..
I spent two weeks in engraving School struggling with working distance. Why in the hell did somebody not tell me this? I use a couple of antique Bausch & Lomb stereo Zoom scopes which I can highly recommend- even more so now that I have acquired .5X Barlow objectives for them holy cow is this amazing. Thank you for this game changing piece of information. I spent more on my engraving classes then my first two cars and nobody bothered to let me know I could improve my working distance I had to see it from a guy on a CZcams video.
I did the exact same thing a couple off months back. And yes, the .5x Barlow was a great investment for my old B&L Stereozoom. That said, one does have to be patient to find that lens at a decent price. Cheers.
I'm surprised that Alex doesn't use a stereo microscope, since the ability to sense distance in the view is a huge plus when working with small components...the 0,5x Barlow lens i had not thought about, probably because the microscopes that we used at work (surface mounted electronic components) had low enough magnification, and enough stand-off distance... great that you guys invested in stereo microscopes!
I would be interested to know which antique Bausch & Lomb stereoscopes that you would recommend!
Thanks!
@@raemelloh I have three total and they are all stereo Zoom 5. I have not made more than 30 for any of them. A little cleaning and they are like new. The critical issue is the .5x diopter. Those are much more difficult to find
a lot to be learned from youtube videos
Alex is one of the best !!!!!!
Mr Hamilton when you said the amscope was a game changer you werent kidding... i am still learning how to service a movement but this thing makes the process 1000 times easier.... now if i could just fight my jumpiness lol
After many months spent following watchmaking channels, only today did the CZcams algorithm offer me this channel! However, in my modest experience as a watchmaking enthusiast, this is the most educational and practical channel and closest to attending a watchmaking school (which, in fact, it is..). Thank you very much.
That’s what I’m going for so thank you.
So glat i could find this channel. Thank you so much, amazing amount of valuable ieformation! Much appreciated.
Thank you Alex, this is absolutely fantastic! Your lessons are truly very useful!
Thanks buddy.
Thank you very very much for all the previous videos, each and every one of them has been (and continues to be) a priceless mine of information. And please keep them coming !
I will. Thanks Mr Barker
Another great vid Alex. So grateful for your channel. You really get to the meat of the subject when it comes to watchmaking, servicing, and repair. I have been servicing and restoring vintage timepieces for a bit over 3 years now and primarily focus on vintage Seiko with specialty in the vintage 6139/6138 chronograph. I also love the vintage divers Seiko produced in the late 60s and through the 70s and early 80s. You are correct, the bifocal microscope was a game changer for me when it came to inspection and repair. Thanks again and I look forward to your next series of vids. John S
Hey John,
Like I have said to others, if anything maybe I can give you another way to look at problems or techniques that may fill in the blanks of what you already know.
I to am a fan of. Vintage Seiko’s, I have a 6138 in the shop right now.
Seiko has a long history of very dependable movements to work on.
Thanks for being part of the community we are building here.
Alex
Hey Alex! I’ve been watching your videos and they are great! You are answering all of the questions that came to my mind after watching tons of videos on other channels. Thank you so much for sharing such invaluable knowledge. Wish you all the best! Happy new year!
Thanks Tales. I got a lot more good stuff coming, so I hope to see you again.
Great information Alex. Thank you so much.
Thanks J
Thank you for the great video. Cleared up a bunch my questions with your well thought our script and demos. Awesome!
Glad it was helpful brother
Thanks for another great lesson Alex! I can't wait to watch all of your upcoming classes.
Thanks for being here brother
Very informative Alex, well done on the support from the community you deserve it.
Thanks Billy
Great videos Alex. This particular one is exactly what i've been looking for. I'm at the stage as a hobbyist that I have been looking into microscopes, and this is now my shopping list! Thank you, and keep up the great work.
Save up and get a good one. You wouldn’t regret it.
This was the one I was waiting for very interesting answered a lot of questions. Thank you Alix, looking forward to the next video as i always do.
Next one is about 1 week out. How to polish acrylic crystals like a boss.
Your classes have been terrific. I'm getting ready to re-watch them as I know I'll learn things that I missed on the first viewing. Thanks for all your efforts.
Sounds like a plan. Let me know if you need any clarification on anything.
Hi Alex, been into watchmaking only less then a year and still gathering equipment and tools. your streams are great and its a great addition to some other utubers I follow. thanks and keep on going👍
Thanks Luc
Excellent tutorial series. Really good advice on what to do as well as what not to do in in really concise and clear manner. Slowly working my way through.
Glad you enjoyed it Graham. Let me know if you have any questions
Thanks for this new video Aex! Very useful and informative as usual.
Fran, I think this is your first time commenting. Thanks for being here.
I really appreciate the perspective and insights to bridge the theory and the reality of the art of watchmaking. Really great videos
Much appreciated Julien
Excellent series, great information.
Thanks for being here Andrew.
Awesome stuff Alex!! I use a simple digital 7” screen for inspection and even oiling… tricky but I’ve adjusted.
Congrats on your subscriber count increase!!
Thank you for posting these as it really helps us hobbyists.
I’m excited where this is Al going and the response has been amazing. Love the community that’s buildings
Great video explained in a simplistic way. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
very informative Alex, well done on the support from the community.
Hey Billy G,
I love it man. No kidding. My wife is actually amazed.😜
Thank you Alex I learn so much from your videos. Look forward to your upcoming videos
Thank you so much. I appreciate the words of encouragement.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, Alex reaches a new high. Adding a binocular microscope to my bench was an absolute game changer. I could finally see clearly when trying to coax a hairspring back between the regulator pins, inspecting the gloss surface of a cap jewel, and other routine (and not so routine) tasks. Mine is optically superb, but the working distance is too small to be able to use a screwdriver. But maybe a Barlow lens would help with that, I’ve now learned. The specific info on microscope and cameras setups will help a lot of watchmakers who look at Zeus’s dissecting scopes and faint when they see a $10k price tag! This is the best watch repair channel on CZcams, for aspiring watch repair techs who need to know what they need to know. Bravo!
Hello again my friend,
Absolutely a game changer.
I had been using a stool for my microscope bench but just recently changed it so that I could use the same chair and just flip around to my height bench. That has made a noticeable difference in my work flow.
Hopefully you can get a Barlow for your microscope because once you get accustomed to it, working becomes much more relaxing.
Thanks Paul
Alex
My channel is ok as well, correct:). I agree with you, Alex is amazing
Alex your a Godsend, keep on keeping on. Your videos are awesome. Thank you for your inspiring words and videos.
Hello Steve and welcome.
This video has touched a lot of people in a positive way so I’m glad you liked it as well.
Hope to see you around.
Hi Steve, I boutght this exact setup and it is everyything you say. Its a different hobby now. Thanks for laying this all out!
Happy to hear it. Yea no doubt it transforms the whole experience.
Alex
I have been very busy lately, but as soon as I find some time I run to watch your videos. Thank you very much!
Again, thank you very much.
It’s always good to see your smiling face.
You are awesome! Just want to say thank you for making these videos! Just note, that YOU are appreciated kind sir!
I appreciate that! And back at ya brother
Thank you Alex! I was considering adding the elapine treatment, to my setup, and watched your video. I can see why we want to take advantage, of the longer life of the oils, and I will start doing that sometime soon. The SM-3T has to come next!
Hey, William,
Epilame is a great addition ONCE you have the pallet lubrication perfected.
The microscope will definitely make that possible. Good call.
Keep them coming,. Great job, Thankyou.
Thanks Pete. It’s my pleasure.
very well explained, great video, thank you.
You are welcome!
Thank you Alex for the video. My cheapo setup needed a 0.35x barrow but it works. Who knew being able to see what you are doing makes it easier to do what you need to.
Hi Stephen,
Game changer right?
Thx Alex, you’re an excellent instructor.
Bebop da lobob, thanks man
Yet again another very enlightening video, I fitted a digital camera like yours into the camera port by making a simple spacer ring, it is used to take pictures of the piece that I am working on as my memory is not as good as it used to be. I totally agree with your assessment of the advantages of a microscope.
Like I said Chris, to game changer. See you again soon thank you buddy
Alex. Thank you. I've followed you since your first video. I think I found it within a couple of hours of inception. I'm now able to disassemble, clean, assemble and get a watch running. Always poor amplitude, but it's a great feeling. I view your new videos eagerly, and once a week review all the others in order. I'm an anorak (nerd), but I have learned so much. Each time I view I find something that refreshes the learning.
I am at the stage where to continue with you feels that I have my own personal mentor. Your comments of the later stage of the video sounds absolutely fabulous.
Thank you
Ross
Ross,
It’s comments like this that really make all the work worthwhile.
From the start, I wanted someone, who had never looked at a watch movement before, to be able to follow the videos and complete a successful watch service.
I knew, that for many people who view watch related videos, they would find them somewhat below their level of experience and that these videos I was making would never really be successful by CZcams standards.
What I did know, was that for the ones with zero experience these videos potentially could be the difference between starting off with great enthusiasm for Horology and then quitting in frustration because they just can’t figure it out.
Thank you for validating what I am doing.
Alex
Alex, thank you for making this video. Right now saving up to buy a microscope setup. You explanation regarding what to consider and what to avoid, the rationale behind it is awesome..
You will not regret the purchase
Easily the best microscope video on CZcams and I've seen most. My field is electronics but I will definately be watching your back catalogue. Your descriptive style is just what I need. Thank you.
Welcome and thank you. See you again
Fantastic video thank you for doing these.
It’s my pleasure John. Thank you for joining us
Thank you Alex, I am very new to this hobby and after viewing about 10 of your videos I must now evaluate my direction. You may have saved me some pain and suffering :)
Hello Keith,
What issues are you having or what do you think needs changing ?
Fantastic! Keep them coming Alex.
You got it Benny
Thanks for the info my dude! Always a blast learning from someone whos clearly knowledgeable and doesn't feel the need to pack a bunch of BS filler into their content. Straight forward and breviloquent that's you man.
Dude I had to look up breviloquent. Thanks so much. I hate the BS as much as the next guy.
Perfect timing, thank you 🙏
Thanks Vincent. Timing is everything.
Hi! I just wanted to say thank you for your informative and entertaining videos! Great stuff!! 👍
I appreciate you telling me that. Comments make all the difference and keep me motivated thank you
Thanks for the great video. I just picked up a used Konus 5424 used on Offerup. It is amazing, a game changer.
That’s awesome Ken.
It will change everything for the better. Well done
Alex I can’t thank you enough for this video. The amount of information and the way it and all of your videos are presented are fantastic. I am just a hobbyist and have been trying to work on watches for about a year now but kept having issues with magnification. After watching this video multiple times I did some additional research and starting watching for a scope of my own. I now have a Amscope SM-1TS-V203 and am awaiting my camera. The difference in my ability to see and focus is immense and I am able to work with much more confidence. I can’t thank you enough for this video and helping me solve my issue with magnification.
It makes all the difference in the world doesn’t it.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍
Thank you my friend
Thanks Alex! Very helpful.
You got it John.
Thank you for sharing your experience and practical knowledge to people who are interested in watch repair. Out of all the watch videos channels out there I think your’s is one of the best that actually teaches one on one as instructor would to a student. I have been attempting watch repair for a few years now and I wish I had seen yours videos first as a guidance of how to start, what tools I should buy and what to stay away from. I am always looking forward to your videos. Thanks. 😊
Thank you Doug,
I hope I can add to the knowledge base you have built and maybe give you a new way to look at things.
See you again soon my friend
Thank-you very much for another informative video!
Thanks buddy.
Another home run my friend. Great video and such great info. Thanks for putting this together for us Alex.
I think you are going to like the next on buddy.
@@watchrepairtutorials I can’t wait.
This is great. Please continue.
Thank you my friend
I bought one of these microscopes from Cousins here in the UK and indeed it's a game changer. Moreover, you Alex are a Life changer, with you clear eloquent and informative videos which have totally rekindled my love of repairing vintage watches. I look forward to your next one, Thank you.
Well sir, I don’t know about that, but I love the community here and I am glad you are part of it.
I’ll see you this weekend.
All my questions just got answered, thank you.
Perfect 👍
Another great video Alex. It can take a little while for the brain to sync up to get good hand eye coordination. I got two selections of click and other springs along with a selection of screws for a total of six pounds GB. Spent a few days moving them from container to mat, turn the over and move them to another container. This worked really well with the added advantage I might have some spares when I sent springs/screws to the Swiss space program 😂
You are a smart man Tom. That will pay off in less lost parts. Trust me on that.
This one was chocked full o' gems! The microscope is just an essential part of kit IMO, and you can't do a good job without proper magnification. This is one of those subjects that people are always asking about, since microscope options can be quite confusing. I gladly joined the Patreon too -- I've used this channel as a resource so much, it's only fair to help support it in return.
Wow thank you man. Any money that the channel could generate or just go back into future videos to increase quality. Your support is much appreciated. What’s your first name?
Well, after a year and a dozen movements, I made the plunge. Thanks for sharing and all the information.
Fantastic! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything
Another great video Alex. I guess like most I started with digital microscope and still today I use it some but my Amscope is my go to for inspection work etc. I don't have the one you have, wish I did but since I don't have much work area I had to go with one a bit smaller.
You have to work with what you got Paul. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for another great video. I have the stereo microscope you don't recommend (I think it's the AmScope SE400-Z). But, mine came with 2 sets of oculars (10x and 20x). I never use the 20x for the exact same reson you described. The 10x has served me very well for 2 years but I'm going to upgrade based on your recommendation. Thanks again!
That’s awesome. I think you will really appreciate the upgrade
Im going to get that micro set up once Im deeper into the watch making hobby. Still very much a novice. Great stuff. Cheers from the Netherlands.
It’s a good choice and you’ll never look back
Thanks for you commitment and quality of expression Alex. You are a skilled craftsman who shares, not withholds, and who uses a major amount to time to benefit others, even for people like me who will probably never take apart a movement but who enjoys craftsmanship.
That’s very kind of you John, thank you
I have a digital microscope I use for inspection and I have a head set with lenes that you can change they go from 3-15x, and I use a very bright headlamp has worked great so far. Great video and thanks for sharing your knowledge.
The Absolute best set up is the one you are comfortable with. Thanks for watching
Thank you for the helpful information
Glad it was helpful!
Always love your videos, sir!
Keeping it real brother, just keeping it real.
Ok, I've watched the series and ordered a few basics, including a practice movement. I think I'm ready to go back and try and some hands-on. Thanks again!! Def need a microscope if I'm gonna do this much at all, but can't really afford that right now. Got a couple dumont tweezers, a couple sizes of single burgeon screwdrivers, and some other supplies - chinese movement holder set that def needs sanding, chinese spring pin tool, nail tees, a silicone mat (meant for phones, but I think it'll do for starting), loupes, and some little containers for parts. Here I go... thanks again, professor! 🙏
Let me know if you have any questions
Very informative Alex, thank you very much. I am working with a bare minimum tools, nothing hi-tech.
Glad it was helpful! It’s a place to start when you are new but as time goes on you will want to start upgrading your system.
Hi Alex,
Again an other informative video from you
Each of your 18 videos has taught me so much and again gave me the confidence to actually start disembling watches, obviously making mistakes, but fortunately learning from then and growing in confidence,.
Look forward to more of your watch knowledge my friend,.
Hello again Eddie,
These types of comments make my heart soar. Thanks and stay tuned. The good stuff is coming.
@@watchrepairtutorials
You are very welcome Alex,
You just don't know the confidence you instill in people like myself, with your down to earth simple explanations of watches and how they work and how to work on them.
You're a great auritor and as l said l've learnt more from you in your 18 videos, than l've learnt in a year, watching other channels,.
Great video. I'm a newbie in watch repair and only watched a few of your videos, but you always present clearly and make it very easy to follow. I've used plenty of microscopes for work, including optical and SEM that cost thousands and thousands of dollars. I'm surprised that a cheap microscope is all you need to make your life easier. The right tool for the right job, as they say. I'll definitely look into one for personal use.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights. You are helping many watch enthusiasists out there!
Thank you my friend although cheap is relative to your pocketbook
For me i just got myself a hi res digital microscope last month. it already has already become invaluable. I can do some work under it, but i love it for inspection and fault finding. its been a game changer!
Great to hear, I am getting to review a new digital microscope..
Many thanks Alex, another great vid! I have a cheap AmScope 10 x 2 on a boom that ive been looking to replace, it’s done me really well, but it’s time to upgrade at some time maybe to your setup! Looking forward to the next ones. Most interested in balance and hairspring work. Ta buddy!
I am going to be doing some escapement videos coming up. Was there anything specific you are looking for?
@@watchrepairtutorials Cool! Mainly hair spring bending. Especially when you are uncertain what the shape should be. I had one recently that was a right mess neat the stud, I couldn’t tell if it was a Ben or the correct kink that is often there. Tips and tricks, tools. Fitting a new spring on to the staff etc. Ta!
Another great educational watchmaking video Alex, the microscope is my next and hopefully last bigger investment, my wife is looking for the rolling pin. Looking forward to your next series
LOL. I have found if you order it around Christmas it’s much easier to sneak in.😂
Our AmScope at work has soft rubber eyepiece caps that extend a hollow cylinder for about 0.5". It's not usable with glasses on but when you lightly touch your eye sockets to the rubber you have the best view.
That’s interesting. I wear glasses and have no problem. I will have to look at mine to see if there is a difference.
Good info. Thanks
No problem!
Thanks!
You bet! Thanks brother
I purchased the microscope, Barlow lens, and light ring, using the links you provided. Thanks for making it easy. I'm pretty sure I'll buy the camera soon for recording disassembly. I've serviced 5 movements now with great results. I find myself doing everything under the microscope. Almost feels like cheating. Thanks for the help!
That’s awesome to hear. It doesn’t take long to get accustomed to it and it makes everything so much more accurate and you can really see if there is any dirt left behind.
Thanks for this video, it's exactly what I've been looking for. I've wanted to buy a microscope for a while, but found it difficult to work out just what was required. 👍
Well this is a system that I ah e. Even using for awhile and there will be no need to upgrade afterwards.
Great video! When I got into watchmaking a couple of years ago, I very quickly decided to get a microscope. My setup is basically identical to yours.
I actually do use it for a lot of horizontal-view applications, though. My bench has a hand-crank that lets me raise and lower it, so I raise the bench up about a foot, and then, since I have the boom off to the side, I can _rotate_ the scope by quite a few degrees. I just have to scoot my work back quite a bit to keep it in view, but this way, I can actually use my lathe with my scope!
Perfect set up Eric. Thanks for sharing that.
I wish I had seen your video back when I first thought to get a microscope. I have an AMSCOPE bi-occular but it good only for inspection for the very reason you pointed out about field-of-vision versus Working Distance. The Good news is that your video has me considering going back to AMSCOPE with an eye towards searching for options. Given my age and eye-sight I would be willing to go through the learning curve required to work FT under the scope. Thannks.
What I will tell you is that it becomes very natural very fast and once you do start working under a scope, you will wonder why you didn’t do it a long time ago.
Just ran across your videos. Fantatic. Going to do a video dumo starting with your first. This one is a year old so I think I have a lot of viewing to do.
Keep up the good work.
Hey brother, that sounds like a plan. Just let me go ahead and apologize for the quality of the first videos. I was new and didn’t really know how far this thing was gonna go. But the information is still good if you can get through the audio. The plan on remaking them as soon as I’ve got a few minutes extra.
Great video. Wish i had room on my table for a setup like this.
If that is the only problem, time to go garage-sailing for a new table, or a sheet of wood and a couple of clamps. My problem is lack of green, and no desire to use my excellent credit card balances to purchase all this fine stuff.
Look into the Amscope SM1TZ. The base is only 1.2 cm high and a Bergeon 7808 mat covers it almost perfectly. The base becomes your work mat. Same microscope head as Alex's I think. Includes the 0.5 Barlow.
Thank you soooooo much
You got it John
THANK YOU ' ALEX ( GREAT VIDEOS) LEARN A LOT AS A HOBIE'S DURING THE PANDEMIA!!!
RALPH.
Awesome Juan,
I have some other videos coming up you may be interested in.
Your closing on this video was reassuring. Being retired and physically impaired, i am excited that i will have enjoyable and knowledgable instruction for some length of time. Looking forward to it!
Wonderful. Let me know how I can help, OK?
This is the type of video i look forward to watching
Thanks Arthur. Check out my playlists
Done it. As you said, it's a game changer. For Christmas my bride gave me a Digital Microscope g1200 (on offer at £35). Not to the standard of yours by a long chalk, but brilliant all the same. Within a minute of switching on I found an error of my own work. A spring holding a jewel on the on the balance of my Sekonda 2428 was not actually central. It looked it, but on magnification I could see that it was off centre. So obvious! As they say in Latin. Tarrus Verius Mutchus.
Well Ross, everything becomes more clear that’s for sure. It’s just like the first time you switch on a timeGrapher and you see your work was not quite as good as you thought. But it’s all a learning process and the more you know, the more confident you get and the more enjoyable your work becomes.
Merry Christmas my friend
Good information thanks
Any time
Alex, you're great!. I took your advice and got my watch running😁😁⌚⌚
In a fair world, there should be at least 4 more zeroes on that subscriber number of yours.
Hey man, it will get there. Thanks and I’m glad it helped.
Alex
Great vid, helped me no end on getting my first scope. One thing not mentioned here, is the simul focus versions. If you want to be able to use the 2 eye pieces and the camera port at the same time you’ll need a simil focus unit. I believe the model above (4T) has this function.
This is true but never really a problem for most people who don’t need a screen view and microscope view at the same time. Now if you are constantly taking pictures the upgrade my be worth it for sure.
@@watchrepairtutorials absolutely, great bang for buck if just doing it for yourself. I’m uploading my learning process for CZcams, so need to be able to record as I see it. I also found another brand “Vevor” which seems to be exactly the same as the Amscopes for about 60% of the cost. Looks like they’re from the same factory. Thanks for all you do, appreciate the content!
Thanks for your videos! Amazing job! Following!
Hello Fabiano,
What country are you from my friend?
@@watchrepairtutorials I’m from Brazil but living in California
@@fabianomoreiraamaro9920 welcome to the club.
Another awesome video Alex. Keep up the great work. Your videos are really helpful on my journey toward learning watchmaking.
Let me know if you need anything
@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks Alex. I did have a quick question. I have a Celestron 44340 digital microscope that I bought before your informative video (fortunately I got it cheap). Question: do you think I could mod my digital microscope by adding a Barlow lens thus doubling the field of view and working area?
@@marklester2105 I’m not familiar with that microscope. Have you checked to see if they have a Barlow available for it?
@@watchrepairtutorials I checked their website but they only carry Barlow lens for their telescopes.
@@marklester2105 oh that’s to bad.
Finally! Someone goes over a microscope use and the particulars.... Nice work!
Thanks Mike,
Hope to see you here again with us
Nice explanation uncle Alex! I've been using a similar Amscope for the last 7 years professionally (working on micro electronics). So when I got into watchmaking it was a natural choice for me. An additional benefit is you can work on a standard workbench instead of rigging up a high bench as you would traditionally. Depth perception with a stereo microscope is orders of magnitude better than using a loupe. In fact, I'd rather have my eyes removed with a spoon than work with a loupe hunched over a bench the whole day :)
Yes sir,
As some one involved in electronics, you probably know that another benefit of a Barlow lens is that it protects the objective lens from the fumes from soldering.
Now that the basic stuff is out of the way, maybe I’ll have something more useful for someone with your experience level coming up.
@@watchrepairtutorials Haha no man, I've found a LOT of useful tips and tricks in your video series! In fact, I used that DIY Lubeta trick of yours just yesterday!
I got some dentistry loupe lenses or use a stereoscope. But the dentistry loupe lenses are my go to because I can sit in a chair and my hands are free to move. Say a hairspring is out of alignment (uh oh). I can see the thing without a screen and my wrists can stay completely vertical to the horizontal lying hairspring. I highly recommend looking into them! They’re expensive but oh they save me!
What brand did you settle on?
You're The Man, Alex.
Thanks for taking the time to pass along all this good information and in a clear and concise manner.
Looking forward to future installments of yours pertaining to actual repair.
Yes, the "scope" is an integral part of my workbench.
Mine consists of a hodge-podge of components, some bought and others homemade.
The foundation is a Hayear 48Mp camera screwed onto a Hayear 180X Zoom lens. All this is coupled to a ismartView 10" HDMI monitor. I believe this setup is the best bang for the buck compared to those ready-made inspection digitals currently available.
I have a cheap LED ring light just like yours.
I took it a step further and cut a filter for it out of some polarized thick-film material (B009P8B548) in the shape of a ring to cover the light and I added a screw-on circular polarized lens (B003USTMIU) along with a ND filter (for protection) to the bottom of the camera lens. Having polarized light allows me to dial-out unwanted reflections and see detail that was previously obscured and it allows me to see into things like jewels, screw holes, hollow items, and the like. I suppose polarized light will be a matter of personal preference but I find it very useful.
To rotate the polarized lens, I drilled & tapped the side of the ND filter, which is on the bottom of the polarized filter, and screwed into it a 4-40 thumb screw from an old serial data connector which is about 2" long and it makes a terrific handle. I liked it so much that I installed one on the Zoom-ring of the camera lens too.
Spending less than $30 converting an ordinary LED ring-light and camera lens using readily available materials saved me hundreds over a factory-made polarized ring light.
Here is a Dropbox link for a pic of my setup:
" www.dropbox.com/s/vzhq5afy0m7ai1r/IMG_3448.jpeg?dl=0. "
It is zoomable or you can download it and zoom in yourself.
Cheers
Hey Ray,
Good to hear from you. I am going to give your lens filter a shot. Reflection in shooting video is a bit of an Achilles's Heal for me.
Thanks for that tip.
@@watchrepairtutorials
Glad to be of some help, Alex.
I wanted to leave a link to a pic in my Dropbox but.......
Let me know how it went and good luck with that.
A Polaroid brand circular polarizer filter is a good choice and it is cheap - and just as good as the more expensive Hoya or Tiffen polarizers.
Great video
Hey there Brother.
Thanks and stay tuned I have some coming up that you are going to find useful.
Thank you for the video. Yes I have been debating purchasing a microscope. As I have aged I have begun using readers to see up close and I hate switching between loupe and cheaters.
Well John like I said I think it really changes everything and how you work as well as the quality and precision that you can do the work. As a person who wears glasses I find it much more comfortable looking through the microscope then full in with loops.
Great vidéo, great info and great PAM 😃
Man I’m not spending 5k on a PAM
That’s a ST36 dialed in to 3spd in a Paneri style case. Made it myself brother.
@@watchrepairtutorials Ohh, that's even better then 😁
Like the many others, thank you for this video, massive help to me. We have a microscope and finally now I understand what I need and don’t.
You are welcome Tom. Have fun.