Knowing when a bit gets dull is a challenge for me … except when the wood starts to burn.
I have seen cheapish, less than $100, microscopes with 200x magnification.
Is anybody else doing this? How well does it work?
Thanks
I scrape the cutting edge of the tool on the face of my fingernail. If you do that with a new tool - see how much it shaves off - then keep doing that at the end of each days use you get a feel for how dull its getting. When it barely takes off any fingernail at all then I know its too dull.
The microscope would be the same thing I think. You will have to keep checking and get a “feel” with your eyes what too dull looks like.
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I use a watch makers eyeglass as I have had one in my tool box for 40 years
Battery never goes flat lol
Agree with ChrisM ref finger nail test
You can also usually tell by the sound the cutter makes when cutting but that is obviously when the machine is running and a good indication if doing a long production run rather than starting a job or doing a one off
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I have used the fingernail test with chisels & planes, just never made that jump.
The idea came from the “business of machining podcast” … now granted they are pretty much metal guys, but in general they make sense.
The watchmaker’s glasses were interesting … I tried a loop and was not happy. Could be it was just junk, or it could be operator error and old eyes.
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these are way better my man, I got a pair at work and at home.
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Looks like this may be part of the standard equipment for being an “old guy”
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true that. but they are amazingly helpful. they even have leses for different distances. I can’t remember which distance i use, but its perfect for me, Half our shop has a pair at their machines.
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Sometimes when I’m trying to line something up or make sure my probed zero aligns with previous operations, I’ll use a little jig and a pocket microscope. You could totally inspect your bits for wear this way.
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Yup basically what I was thinking … Easy enough to 3D print that holder.
Are you happy with the brand? What is magnification?
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Works great, I think it’s 250x.
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