[Myron Compton]

A question to all carvers that have difficulty carving the tiny details. I’m now 54 years old and my eyes are not what they used to be. I wear glasses and I also use a magnifying lamp with the circular florescent bulb. Just curious if anyone has any better ideas. Thanks in advance.

[Kenny_S]

At 58 and eye sight growing worse each day, I find lighting and magnification works the best for me, even with new glasses.
Try for a natural lighting, helps!

[Hugh]

Yup me also, eyes getting worse. Glucoma in one eye. I use magnification, and when doing small details like a Chickadees bill, I use a fine sandpaper, and shape it slowly and carefully. Its real easy to end up with nothing using a power tool or even a knife. To my point, I have been using the GE Reveal 60 bulb in my lamps and find it a lot better.

[squbrigg]

Hello Myron,

Welcome aboard. I see this is your first post, so let me welcome you to our happy gang.

Detail carving can be a challenge and it will depend on your eyesight level as to how you conquor it. I use a magnification headband, and it works for me. We have another gentleman here who uses a video camera and monitor set up, to be able to see. I have one of those magnifiers with the light built in but don't find them very useful, rather awkward to use.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Bob

[Myron Compton]

Thanks for the welcome and for the great suggestions.

[Kenny_S]

Hugh, I didn't know about your glucoma. Had yak surgery on both eyes two years ago for glucoma. Helped the elft eye a lot but just a little on the right eye. Sure plays heck hunting as I am right eye perdominant. Hmmmm Maby why I miss a shot this year.
been lucky with my doctor as he stay on me an taking care of my eyes. Have a field of vision test coming up[ next month to see if any improvement or getting worse. Take a drop in each eye of Xalatan every night.

Bob, Hugh, do either one of you use any type of special lighting why carving?

[Colin_Partridge]

Myron,
None of our eyes are what they used to be I now have problems with macular degeneration I just use good prescribed glasses and good lighting. I do most of my detail work with an Ott Light find it is great. As an inspiration we have a member of this board Ron Davidson who is blind and does some wonderful carvings he is an inspiratation to us all.
Colin

[Hugh]

Kenny, I use the GE Reveal 60 light, and it is a great help. I mentioned the glucoma, I have a dark spot in my right eye, like a shade at the top of my eye. Take drops twice a day and it has never been any worse since I started using the drops. Glad its under control. Ron certainly is an inspiration.

[Kenny_S]

Amen on Ron Being an inspiration. I seemed to do better on the twice daily with Betamal but the doctor thinks the Xalatan once daily is better for me. Will know the next field of vision test.
Yes, the Reveal lighting helped me. I need all the help I can get carving.

[squbrigg]

Kenny, I use two 75 watt spot lights in goosenecks, one to the left, one ahead , to provide shadow and light, then a double flourscent (sp) above them on the ceiling. I adjust them as required as I carve and can bring them right down for extra light on the piece.

Bob