• Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
    As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.
  • PRE-ORDER SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!

    The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
    Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.

    NOTE THAT OUR FIRST ISSUE WILL BE JAN/FEB 2026

HMS Victory - Limited Edition by Occre, 1:87

I don't think you bit off too much. You can do this. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

People ask me all of the time, "Where do you get the patience?" I tell them, "All you need to know is when to walk away."
 
Thanks Jim, Peter & Rob. That is a good birthday wish.

The Admiral & I moved to Dallas, TX from Florida in December. House is dialed & affairs in order. I have to complete my aquarium build before starting the ship build. I am on week 3 of 6 in getting the tank cycled & ready for fish. I hope to start on the ship in about a month.

IMG_1209.jpeg

I already have most of the tools & getting my desk ready. I just need to buy supplies & I think these magnifying glasses from Amazon. Anyone have these? Is there a better option? I unboxed the kit & those parts are SMALL & my eyesight is bad. Any tips on using these goofy looking things? I had a magnifying desk lamp for my fly tying setup & had a hard time with depth perception, so it was just used as a spot light. These seem to be a far better option for this build.

1770621194328.png

IMG_1211.jpeg
 
Mike-H2O said:
Thanks Jim, Peter & Rob. That is a good birthday wish.

The Admiral & I moved to Dallas, TX from Florida in December. House is dialed & affairs in order. I have to complete my aquarium build before starting the ship build. I am on week 3 of 6 in getting the tank cycled & ready for fish. I hope to start on the ship in about a month.

View attachment 577014

I already have most of the tools & getting my desk ready. I just need to buy supplies & I think these magnifying glasses from Amazon. Anyone have these? Is there a better option? I unboxed the kit & those parts are SMALL & my eyesight is bad. Any tips on using these goofy looking things? I had a magnifying desk lamp for my fly tying setup & had a hard time with depth perception, so it was just used as a spot light. These seem to be a far better option for this build.

View attachment 576817

View attachment 577015
Click to expand...
I'll be following your build.
What kind of fish are you putting in the tank? It's looking good.
 
Mike-H2O said:
Thanks Jim, Peter & Rob. That is a good birthday wish.

The Admiral & I moved to Dallas, TX from Florida in December. House is dialed & affairs in order. I have to complete my aquarium build before starting the ship build. I am on week 3 of 6 in getting the tank cycled & ready for fish. I hope to start on the ship in about a month.

View attachment 577014

I already have most of the tools & getting my desk ready. I just need to buy supplies & I think these magnifying glasses from Amazon. Anyone have these? Is there a better option? I unboxed the kit & those parts are SMALL & my eyesight is bad. Any tips on using these goofy looking things? I had a magnifying desk lamp for my fly tying setup & had a hard time with depth perception, so it was just used as a spot light. These seem to be a far better option for this build.

View attachment 576817

View attachment 577015
Click to expand...
I use an Optivisor, which is similar. The depth of view is limited but you quickly get used to that. I find them indispensable for doing close up work. I think the optivisor with the headband may be more comfortable. As Corsair said the most important thing is plenty of light! There are many different knockoffs available.



Rob


Rob
 
Hey Glenn. Thanks for the compliment. Being 200 gal & 8' long, it is a very difficult, demanding startup to cycle. I'm trying to replicate the Amazon Basin. It will have 12 Discus, a school of 150 rummynose tetras & cleanup crew.
 
Thanks Jeff & Rob. Your choice does seem to have better lighting. I also wear eye glasses with bifocals. Will the Optivisor comfortably fit over them? I will probably have to wear the magnifiers during the entire build. Hearing aides coming soon as well. :eek:
 
Mike-H2O said:
I just need to buy supplies & I think these magnifying glasses from Amazon. Anyone have these? Is there a better option? I unboxed the kit & those parts are SMALL & my eyesight is bad. Any tips on using these goofy looking things? I had a magnifying desk lamp for my fly tying setup & had a hard time with depth perception, so it was just used as a spot light. These seem to be a far better option for this build.

View attachment 576817
Click to expand...
I'm 82 and have had optical implants so normal vision is fine, but close-up is the pits. I haven't used those, but have tried similar (probably cheaper) ones. And every size of magnifier, light, light-magnifier, etc.

I have tried, and continue to use, high-power close-up or reading glasses. They're light, not cumbersome at all, and let me work in any light environment. Normal reading glasses are usually made with up to 2.5-3 diopter. I have pairs in 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 diopter. The only negative over some of the more expensive surgeon's glasses is that you have to work close to your work. I believe what you've shown above would be no different. The normal work distance from glasses to work will be roughly 40" (~ 1 meter) divided by the diopter. So 3.0 requires a work distance of 13", 4.5 requires 9" and 6.0 about 6-7". I got mine from eBay for less than $10 each. 6 diopter is about the limit unless you get into custom glasses, and I think anything over 6.0 would be tedious to use. I use my 3.0 almost all the time on my model work, and switch to stronger for really small work. You might check out a pair before getting anything too elaborate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top