Several years ago I discovered that one of my major problems in cutting dovetails was that I couldn’t see well enough. My uncorrected vision is great at very short distance (e.g. marking and cutting dovetails) but lousy at distance. My problem is that any glass in front of my eyes decreases my ability to see details. I’ve tried bifocals, clear glass on the bottom, etc, but no lens is still the best. So I spent a lot of time taking glasses off, putting them on, taking them off, putting them on.
I think what would work best for me is find a pair of flip up glasses, like baseball players use for sun. My idea would be to have my prescription lenses in the flip up and have no lenses in the frame itself. Voila, flip down for distance and safety glasses and flip up for hand-tool detail work. My problem is that I can’t find any frames that allow prescription lenses for the flip up part. If you’ve dealt with this issue succesfully, I’d love to hear about it.
Happy trails,
Steve
Replies
optical options
You might look at glasses made for watchmakers, and such. Or, talk to your optician about what you need. They likely have sources for special frames that aren't typically displayed for conventional use.
Easily removable glasses for detail work
I do not have an answer for you but am going to post so I can get an email if anyone else has this information. I am a custom painter and have been looking for prescription glasses i can flip out of eyesight with one quick motion for many years now, George
Same probem different purpose -- as a photographer I'm forever lifting my glasses to get a sharper view of the viewfinder. Though I have yet to receive my order, here is the link that I found to solve my problem:
http://hoodmanusa.com/products.asp?dept=1067
Cheers,
RGBaker
glasses
I recommend an optivisor.
Tom
Back in the day when I was a young toolmaker, some of the senior guys wore a visor similar to this.
No fancy schmancy LED stuff but the concept was the same.
Now that I'm and old dude I am considering my options this way...
I wear glasses all day long.But for work i have about five maybe six different
strengths of diopter for different tasks.
There are three different reasons for a given diopter strength and lens style I can think of.
One is the distance to the subject you are focusing on.
One is the size of the object you are focusing on.
One is the level of magnification you want.
For house painting I need the focal plane to be the distance of my paint brush
and the lense needs to be large bacause of the area I am painting.
But for highly detailed work where i am in one place I can up the magnification and
I don't need big lenses.
My diopter goes from 2.0 up to 6.
I also have a magnifying lense on an arm with a light in it.
That brings up the other part of the equation. High levels of light.
I use a portable light that I move right where i want it that is 200 watts.
I guess my point is there is no one pair of glasses that does it all.
I have a drawer in my shop just for glasses.
this where i got my last order. http://www.readingglassesshopper.com/3.50-power-readers-mens-full-frame.html
It helps if the arms are sping loaded and if the nose pads are adjustable.
When i get working i can sweat and you want the glasses to stay put and not slip down your nose.
Orvis: Flip Focal
I use these for fly fishing, but they work well for the problem we older folks share with eyesight. And they're not too spendy.
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=1269
Best,
Craig
Upside down bifocals
I have recently joined the ranks of the +40 and need a +1.5 for close up and almost nothing for distance.
I do construction and it's very important that I be able to see where I'm walking. A SV lens allows me to see close but the rest of the world is gone and I'm tripping all the time. A bifocal allows me to see close in the lower half and far in the top half but I still can't see my feet! In construction, most of what I need to see up close is in front of my face, not down by my belly button. When I look down, I'm looking at my feet and I don't need glasses for that.
With bifocals, I've either got my chin jammed into my chest to see my feet and my nose pointed up in the air to see what I'm working on. What I need is no perscription in the botton and put the bifocal in the top of the lens. Am I the first person in the world that needs this? Is it possible?
"fibocals" and visual "lysdexia"
"Am I the first person in the world that needs this? Is it possible?"
No, you aren't the first, but you'll probably need more than one pair of glasses, since the "normal" arrangement of bifocal and progressive lenses are designed for book readers. Discuss your objectives with your optician, and they can probably fashion what you need. Upside-down bifocals are often referred to as "plumber's" glasses (i.e. close-focus at the top, for work under sinks, and such), but they wouldn't be suitable for normal wear.
Upside down bifocals
I have recently joined the ranks of the +40 and need a +1.5 for close up and almost nothing for distance.
I do construction and it's very important that I be able to see where I'm walking. A SV lens allows me to see close but the rest of the world is gone and I'm tripping all the time. A bifocal allows me to see close in the lower half and far in the top half but I still can't see my feet! In construction, most of what I need to see up close is in front of my face, not down by my belly button. When I look down, I'm looking at my feet and I don't need glasses for that.
With bifocals, I've either got my chin jammed into my chest to see my feet and my nose pointed up in the air to see what I'm working on. What I need is no perscription in the botton and put the bifocal in the top of the lens. Am I the first person in the world that needs this? Is it possible?
Flip frames
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy4M3FXWCZ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whlNG572Zbo
http://www.facebook.com/FlipFrames
flip-up
Have you found a source? I ask because I have precisely the same need. There was a time when I could buy piano glasses and have my script inserted inverted, then wear them inverted. The new frame stems no longer allow that. I hoped there would be a need among laboratory workers or other professionals, but have found no source....The new opthalmologist's staff are researching. In the mean time, it's the same 'take them off-put them on-take 'em off- put 'em on' *sigh*. If the office finds something, I'll let you know.
Years ago I had what were described as machinist glasses made with a bifocal is in both the upper and lower part of the glass.the frame was large leaving a large area in the middle.
A good experienced optician can help you out. Mine is a woodworker too, so knew exactly what I was talking about. The main part of my lenses are for medium distance - from arms length to computer screen, while bottom half is close-up. Progressive. I use different glasses outside the shop.
I have the same issues, hey we’re all getting there:)
I do a lot of detail work, especially inlay for luthiery work.
I wear something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015IS6K2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_image
Wont interfere with glasses/contacts. Just flip up when not using. You’ll forget their on your head.
My optometrist said she could write me a prescription for 3x, 5x or whatever but haven’t tried yet. The headband magnifier is effective so need.
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