Hi Sonny, thanks so much for the comments! This video answers your question on my first 'scope video about using a Barlow lens. I eventually switched from the .5 Barlow to a .7, which increased the magnification a bit and reduced the working distance. With the .5 lens, the microscope eyepieces were too high above my work surface for me to work comfortably, not to mention my chair didn't go that high. The .7 Barlow has been the sweet spot for me.
@@sonnymoorehouse1941 It's about time someone asked! 😁 The .7 Barlow lens provides 8.5" (216mm) clearance zoomed out, and 6 5/8" (168mm) zoomed in. More than enough for tweezers or screwdrivers! Also, remember that you can tilt the scope head to look at the subject from a slight angle, giving you infinite space directly above the subject if needed.
Thanks Daniel! In my case the AV knowledge comes from my career, and the watchmaking channel is an excuse to continue developing my photography and editing! 😁
Hey, Mike! Excellent video! I just got my Amscope yesterday and I am amazed of how wonderful it is. I was working on straightening a hairspring with a loupe, and I just couldn’t do it, but I tried it with the microscope with a 0.5 Barlow lens last night, and I almost have the hairspring ready. It is just a game changer to me. I have been fixing watches as a hobbyist for about 7 years, and as I have gained more experience, I have improved the quality of my tools. So I thought it was time to buy a microscope, and I am very pleased of how much easier it makes the job. I am amazed of your professionalism, and your great job on showing others what you do! By the way I have a blue mat just likes yours! Hahaha
Blue mat for the win! 😂 I'm glad you're also having success using the microscope. I have a hair spring project that I am going to attempt tomorrow. Thanks for the nice words, and I appreciate you following my channel! 😁
Hairsprings are very tricky. I would say that’s one of the things I dread the most on watch repair. Haven’t had much success in the past. Hopefully the microscope will help a lot with hairsprings.
Hey, Mike! What kind of Barlow lens do you use? I have the same microscope and I bought a 0.5x Barlow lens, but I don’t get 210mm of work distance. I guess the most I can get is about 6 inches. Which is still good, but I would like to get some more distance. Thank you for your help!
@@josetjaycastro4778 I think the magnification of your eyepiece also affects the work distance. My microscope has 10X eyepieces. FWIW, I replace the .5x Barlow lens with a .7x because I felt like I was too far away from the workpiece... I guess this is a great example of "your results may vary"! 😁
Great vid Mike. Am looking at getting a scope myself. What is the magnification factor of yours?. Handy tip.... When pulling arbour out, cover the spring using tweezers held flat across spring, like you did when removing the barrel lid. Then use second tweezers to grip arbour and rotate it opposite to the winding direction. 90 degree turn will free the hook and no risk of bending the mainspring when pulling arbour out.
Thanks for the suggestion on removing the arbor! I've done it before, but never under the microscope. It felt so awkward! (I did find it eventually, lol) The magnification zoom range on the microscope is listed as 3.5X-90X. I know this changes based on the eyepieces, Barlow lens, etc. Whatever it is, it's the perfect range so far for my watchmaking tasks!
All this magnification talk is reminding me how we connected (finding means and ways to see the Omega symbol on hesalite). 😄 Great part two, my friend! 🤙🏼
I just discovered your channel and really enjoy your videos. In fact I just bought a microscope setup similar to yours. Question: the eyepieces are too high for me with my current desk and chair. What desk/chair changes did you have to make when you started with the scope?
@@mkahky Hi Michael, welcome to my channel! I bought a new chair that goes higher. I ended up with a .7 X Barlow lens, which still gives me enough workspace under the microscope lens, but brings the eye pieces down a bit. I also tilt the microscope back slightly, which helps as well.
Great video. Although I don't do video production I do the same kind of work and have the same problems. I'm about to order a 0.5 Barlow lens for my trinocular SM.. I have the same problem of not having enough room to use my tweezer straight on and worse, my screwdrivers, and have to tilt the movement to use them or else having to use a loupe.
Hi Mr. Flintstone! Since recording this video I have switched to a .7 Barlow lens. I felt the .5 lens put me too far away from the subject, and my chair wouldn't go that high. .7x is the perfect compromise of working distance and magnification. Hope that helps!
Very clever way to reduce the pickup on the mike! Would have never thought of that. That lens is a huge improvement! With the swivel of the boom arm and rolling suction it makes for a really versatile setup. Hahaha! I was thinking the same thing! By adding a gasket you remove the contact between surfaces and and put both a buffer on the lens and remove the clicking sound. They are not modifications but custom improvements haha! Those improvement have made a world of difference! Have a good one Mike!
Great video,Mike and congratulations on your progress.Back to reality:I own an AmScope( not as good as yours)that I use for my metal engraving.But I really need to learn the basics of Horology.I managed to dismantle a couple of watches with broken pieces.How do I order the replacements,wheels,etc.I need to watch all your videos.I know it takes time.Thank you.
Hi Angel, engraving sounds cool nd maybe I will try it someday! eBay is a great source to look for watch parts. You can search for individual parts if you know what you need, or buy movements that are the same (or similar) And take just the parts you need.
Outstanding modifications to your microscope ! Much appreciate you sharing this Mike 👍 One question please. Is tour model Amscope a simul-focus model ? Thanx again Mike 🍻
Can I ask a quick question, please? What type of camera is installed on your microscope? Is it a Hayear HY-6110? Because I have a choice between hy-5299 or hy-6110. Please advise me quickly please. Because I need a camera lens. I would like to try it, please. Thank you in advance for your effort
Really thanks for your quick response. really you are wonderful. But are you satisfied with the quality of this camera? Because I hear from some people that the lens installed on the camera is not a real Sony sensor. That's why I hesitated a little. But it's the image quality that matters
@@lolikatrin2648 I don't see why it wouldn't be a real Sony sensor… Sony made a gazillion of them and they are quite affordable, so no real reason not to use them. I have been happy with the quality. My main complaint with this camera is that it forgets the white balance and exposure setting when you turn it off and turn it back on, so you have to go into the menu and reset those. I also have audio noise when using an external microphone. It records sound good enough that I can synchronize the video up with my other cameras, but I have to use audio from a different source. But features and quality I think are excellent for the price… I did not find another camera in this price range that had better specs.
Thank you soooo much for providing the details of your setup. Ive been wanting to get a microscope for micro soldering and I was overwhelmed by the so many options and didn't know where to look so thank you for that! This is exactly what I needed to see to make my purchase. One question, where did you get the O rings for the eye pieces to stop the rattling noise? Excellent video by the way I really enjoyed learning and watching no pun 😀 this helps me save alot of money because on amscopes website although they are offfering coupon codes its still very expensive with their camera options. I like the boom stand but I might go for a articulating arm down the line but the boom will have to do for starting up.
Hi Ruben, I am really glad that the video helps! The rubber O-rings are watch back gaskets. You can get a variety pack of varying sizes on Amazon very inexpensively. I have a few vintage electronic watches from the 1970s that need repair, so I may get into micro soldering myself! 😁
@WatchWithMike Excellent! I am looking forward to it! Thank you for the information and speedy reply. It will be awesome to see you tackle some soldering!
@WatchWithMike I didn't realize how heavy that boom stand was! Lol finally somewhat setup but man the image quality through the eye pieces are amazing!
Hi Mike Love your videos. I use a standard ring light on my microscope but do find that I can see the reflected 'ring' on the watch movements, jewels, bridges etc especially if they are really shiny. I wondered if that coloured film would cure this. Would a 'polarized' ring light be the way to go. Regards Chris
@@jowettcars Hi Chris, to control reflections you can add a polarizing film in front of the light source, and then put a rotating polarizing filter on the microscope lens. Depending on the reflections you are getting, the microscope polarizer would rotate into a position that cancels the unwanted reflections. I have toyed with the idea of doing this but it reduces the brightness of your ring light slightly and is something that I have just been working around by slightly repositioning the angle of the microscope. But it would be fun to try, so maybe someday!
Congrats on getting your microscope. Really appreciate how you always optimize your work space and tools. Were you a mechanical engineer in your prior life? Thanks for the video.
Wow, I don't know how this comment slipped past me, so please excuse the delay responding! 😁 I am an engineering wannabe… I spent my career doing communications, but always had hobbies that were DIY and shop related. There's nothing like an organized workspace! I feel that it encourages creativity. Plus, you can never quite perfect your shop space, and never have enough tools. It's a never ending process. 😎
No worries. I appreciate your response. While I was working as an attorney, I never had the time to work with my hands, which is one of the reasons I am now into watchmaking. Watching your videos taught me to think about ways to customize my workspace, which is super practical. Thanks!!!
Congratulations on the successful upgrade of your microscope, Mike! What you have now seems to be a way better than in your previous video (especially regarding the clearance). Simply wow! Your attention to detail is amazing. On the whole this Mike-o-scope seems to be a great investment. I'm following your videos and looking forward to the next one. I know what it is like when you work with two cameras. You are working on ... how many ones .. ? Five? This is titanic work and as a viewer producing occasional videos I do appreciate the effort you make to release high-quality content. Have a great day and even more fun with watches! Hope you'll give this movement a second chance and it will be possible to revive it.
Hi Mike, does that microscope camera have autofocus or is that not needed? can you zoom in and out with it without zooming in or out on the microscope? thanks in advance, and thank you for your detailed video about your microscope!
Sorry, I thought I already answered this comment! So here's the deal… A microscope focuses with the big focus knob. If the main microscope lens is out of focus, then I don't know how a camera would be able to get focused for itself. It would either have to turn the microscope knob or physically move up and down to get its own focus. So I don't think auto focus is a thing on these microscopes.
@@WatchWithMike thank you for your answer! But yes, you already answered this question because I asked this also on a shorts of yours. I will buy the same camera as yours, I think the quality of the picture is the best price quality point there is.
Just subscribed. I found your channel by looking for inspection cameras to use on my custom jewelry bench. I love your enthusiasm and the way you go into great detail. I guess we are all cut from the same cloth! I would love to pick your brain about some of the details of your camera setup. I just bought an inspection camera to display work on a monitor for our customers. Unfortunately, one of my goldsmiths used the ac power adapter from my graver mach to power the camera and killed it. It was an honest mistake as we were rearranging our shop. Now I'm on a deep dive looking for a better camera than what I originally purchased. Would you be willing to provide some insight if I give you the details?
Hi Justin, thanks for the nice comments! Bummer about your camera burning out. QQ: my camera can take two power sources, 12 V and 5 V. If yours is similar, I would suggest trying the other power input before giving up on it. I have gone into some detail about my setup in the comments section on this video and the one that preceded it, so some answers might be there. Otherwise I welcome your further questions. Thanks so much for subscribing and supporting the channel! 😁
Thank you for the information. I'm looking at getting an AmScope for watch repair and I'd like to record video while I work, my question is do you have to pick between being able to use both eyepieces for my eyes to gain the binocular effect or using one eyepiece for one eye and camera for my second eye or are you able to use both eyepieces for your eyes and have the camera recording at the same time?
@@danhealy9093 Hi Dan, a trinocular microscope has three "eye pieces". Two for your eyes that give you stereo vision all the time, and the third is permanently hooked up to a camera which sees everything that you are seeing. So there is no compromise… You can always see in stereo and have what you are seeing recorded.
@@WatchWithMike Hi Mike, thank you for the reply, I investigated closer and the exact model AmScope microscope you have on your video has a feature referred to as "Simul-Focal" which allows the user to use the both eyes pieces for the binocular effect while video recording, AmScope microscopes without that feature will only allow you to use either both eyepieces without video recording or only one eyepiece while video recording, so if anybody wants to be able to use both eyepieces and video record simultaneous make sure you get one with the "Simul-Focal" feature.
Hi Tom! 😂 Excellent! I feel really good with my progress. It's starting to become more fun/less anxiety. Hoping to stay with the hobby for a long time to come. 😎
@@mokumholland5640 Music video… Action adventure movie (starring Tom Love)… We've got the beginnings of a full blown media company! We are both going to need agents. 😂
very very cool video , i have a question what is your opinion on the AmScope SW-3T24Z Trinocular Stereo Microscope , it's more in my budget for 362 dollars , think it would be ok for watch repairs
I think it would be OK for watch repair as well, but what I like about mine is how robust the base and telescoping arm is. I'm constantly moving the scope around my work service and it really gets heavy when the arm is fully extended. So I guess it depends on how much you will need to move the scope around.
3:55 could the blue light be due to the reflection from the blue mat you are using? As far as the microscopes go, the variety is just crazy. I am interesting in getting something under $200 but for what they are, most digital ones from China seemed a bit overpriced, imho, especially compared to the better, higher quality build binocular or trinocular ones from AmScope. That said $500+ dollar is not something most any hobbyist could cough up easily to get one.
I used a digital microscope before getting the big optical scope. It's less than $200, and it shoots great video… Check out some of my earlier shows and you will see it in action!
Hi Mike, I have a Amscope with the Hayear camera connected to the scope. I’m trying to connect the camera to my labtop but to no success. What software did you use? Can you explain how to connect the camera to record on my labtop. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.
I am not a good resource because I have never connected to a computer. I am strictly using the camera to record video via the internal mini SD card. I believe whatever software is available to connect to computers is available on the Hayear website. Let me know what you find!
Thanks for responding. I have checked on the Hayear drives but can’t get it to work, I’ll keep trying and if I can’t figure it out I think I’m switching to cameras with SD card.
Hi Mike,i have been watching for a while now,(and i have just subscribed too)...most probably when you had that big bag of watches you were sorting out. I was very interested in your comments about your microscope. Im about to buy one soon. Thanks for the info on the microscope, it was very helpful. Just an observation,.... Have you thought of or tried a set of curved tweezers??? I was a straight tweezers kinda guy, but i love my curved pairs a lot more than my straight ones for general work. Still need the straights for hairspring work. Thanks. Mike.(yep im mike too)
Hi Mike! Yes, I had a cheap pair of curved tweezers that I really liked (but I stopped using because they were, well, cheap!). I've thought about getting a good pair of curved or bent-tip tweezers because in addition to the angle advantage, they also provide a clear line of vision. Under the microscope, my hands often get in the way, and curved or angled tweezers might be a good solution. Just waiting for them to go on sale, lol! 😁
Hi, Can you please tell me the distance from your eye piece to the top of your work space. I'm thinking of getting one of these scopes but not sure if I will need a lower bench as well, which I really don't have room for.
@yesterdayschild1418 - It's 17.5" from the eyepiece of the scope to the table top, with a .7x Barlow lens installed. (Barlow lenses change the working distance between the bottom of the lens and your subject.) Zoomed in, the eyepiece is 15.5" from the desktop. My desk height is 30". I just bought a new desk chair that adjusts higher than my last one, and that really helps my posture. Switching chairs is easier than switching desks! Hope that helps... 😄
@@WatchWithMike Thank you so much for getting back to me, that's really helpful. I have a Duston watchmaker bench that is quite high, 38" from floor to working surface. The bench is okay but it has a protruding part that sticks out at the front so you cant get your body right close to the main area which is a bit annoying really as it means you're working close to the front with lots of space at the rear, but I assume its like that for a reason. Anyway, back to the scope, I brought a hight adjustable chair to go with the bench and at its highest setting and with me sitting and looking directly ahead at the wall my eye level is circa 21" from the work surface so in theory it may be okay, decisions decisions :-) Just one more question, if I may? I assume, because you zoomed in on the movement, the large image on the left is what you're also seeing through the microscope but what is the image in the top right as that appears to be more of a direct straight down image whereas the large image appears to be more at an angle, also does the zoom function auto focus as you move closure? Apologies for so many questions.
@@yesterdayschild1418 Great questions… first, a watchmakers bench is designed to put your eyes close to the work surface, which is the opposite of what you need working under a microscope. For that reason, I'd recommend looking at a microscope that is on a spring mounted arm, rather than one that rests on a heavy metal base like the one I have. It will give you more flexibility to accommodate to the different heights of the bench. Another variable that we haven't discussed is that the microscope head can be tilted, lowering the eyepieces and aiming the microscope more forward. I like a slight tilt because, if you view your work straight down, your hands and screwdrivers get in the way. So tilting the microscope is another way to reduce the height. In my video, the image on the left is what you see through the microscope (the microscope camera sees what you are seeing). There is no auto focus… you need to manually refocus whenever you change magnification. The top-down view in the upper right corner of my video is a cropped version of what my overhead camera with a macro lens is seeing. It has nothing to do with the microscope view. 😁
@@WatchWithMike Found them, thank you. I have found the ultrasonic cleaner, and the dryer, but for all my looking, couldn't find the little glass jars and lids! DO keep up the videos.
I hope you know that your eyepieces are in the collapsed state, just pull up on the rubber cups and they expand out to your eye. Maybe the glasses are the reason they're collapsed. Tom, Florida
@@TomSorrentino-r2p Hi Tom, you are very observant. Correct, the rubber eyecups don't let me get close enough to the eyepieces when I am wearing glasses.
Yes !!!!! Wow !!!
im still taking it all in !!!
you covered so much in this video !!!
Gold Jerry Gold !!!!!
Thank you for making this video !!!
Hi Sonny, thanks so much for the comments! This video answers your question on my first 'scope video about using a Barlow lens. I eventually switched from the .5 Barlow to a .7, which increased the magnification a bit and reduced the working distance. With the .5 lens, the microscope eyepieces were too high above my work surface for me to work comfortably, not to mention my chair didn't go that high. The .7 Barlow has been the sweet spot for me.
@@WatchWithMike Interesting so whats working space with that .7 ?
@@sonnymoorehouse1941 It's about time someone asked! 😁 The .7 Barlow lens provides 8.5" (216mm) clearance zoomed out, and 6 5/8" (168mm) zoomed in. More than enough for tweezers or screwdrivers! Also, remember that you can tilt the scope head to look at the subject from a slight angle, giving you infinite space directly above the subject if needed.
@@WatchWithMike Thats awesome. hows field of view ?
Thanks for taking us "behind the curtain!" Never knew maintaining a TH-cam channel involved so much AV knowledge!
Thanks Daniel! In my case the AV knowledge comes from my career, and the watchmaking channel is an excuse to continue developing my photography and editing! 😁
Love the tinkering and customization of small details! Thank you for this video.
😀 I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Hey, Mike! Excellent video! I just got my Amscope yesterday and I am amazed of how wonderful it is. I was working on straightening a hairspring with a loupe, and I just couldn’t do it, but I tried it with the microscope with a 0.5 Barlow lens last night, and I almost have the hairspring ready. It is just a game changer to me. I have been fixing watches as a hobbyist for about 7 years, and as I have gained more experience, I have improved the quality of my tools. So I thought it was time to buy a microscope, and I am very pleased of how much easier it makes the job. I am amazed of your professionalism, and your great job on showing others what you do! By the way I have a blue mat just likes yours! Hahaha
Blue mat for the win! 😂 I'm glad you're also having success using the microscope. I have a hair spring project that I am going to attempt tomorrow. Thanks for the nice words, and I appreciate you following my channel! 😁
Hairsprings are very tricky. I would say that’s one of the things I dread the most on watch repair. Haven’t had much success in the past. Hopefully the microscope will help a lot with hairsprings.
@@josetjaycastro4778 "Dread" is such an appropriate word - agreed!😂
Hey, Mike! What kind of Barlow lens do you use? I have the same microscope and I bought a 0.5x Barlow lens, but I don’t get 210mm of work distance. I guess the most I can get is about 6 inches. Which is still good, but I would like to get some more distance. Thank you for your help!
@@josetjaycastro4778 I think the magnification of your eyepiece also affects the work distance. My microscope has 10X eyepieces. FWIW, I replace the .5x Barlow lens with a .7x because I felt like I was too far away from the workpiece... I guess this is a great example of "your results may vary"! 😁
Great vid Mike. Am looking at getting a scope myself. What is the magnification factor of yours?.
Handy tip.... When pulling arbour out, cover the spring using tweezers held flat across spring, like you did when removing the barrel lid. Then use second tweezers to grip arbour and rotate it opposite to the winding direction. 90 degree turn will free the hook and no risk of bending the mainspring when pulling arbour out.
Thanks for the suggestion on removing the arbor! I've done it before, but never under the microscope. It felt so awkward! (I did find it eventually, lol) The magnification zoom range on the microscope is listed as 3.5X-90X. I know this changes based on the eyepieces, Barlow lens, etc. Whatever it is, it's the perfect range so far for my watchmaking tasks!
A true artist! great video mike! subscribed!
Much appreciated! 😄
All this magnification talk is reminding me how we connected (finding means and ways to see the Omega symbol on hesalite). 😄 Great part two, my friend! 🤙🏼
Yes! I recently re-read the comments on that video because I continue to receive "colorful" responses. Good times!
@@WatchWithMike Great! Everyone deserves an encore and repeat performances. 😄
I just discovered your channel and really enjoy your videos. In fact I just bought a microscope setup similar to yours. Question: the eyepieces are too high for me with my current desk and chair. What desk/chair changes did you have to make when you started with the scope?
@@mkahky Hi Michael, welcome to my channel! I bought a new chair that goes higher. I ended up with a .7 X Barlow lens, which still gives me enough workspace under the microscope lens, but brings the eye pieces down a bit. I also tilt the microscope back slightly, which helps as well.
I just got a microscope like that and those look like good upgrades to add to it. Thanks for the video!
You're welcome! Enjoy your new microscope! 😁
Great video. Although I don't do video production I do the same kind of work and have the same problems. I'm about to order a 0.5 Barlow lens for my trinocular SM.. I have the same problem of not having enough room to use my tweezer straight on and worse, my screwdrivers, and have to tilt the movement to use them or else having to use a loupe.
Hi Mr. Flintstone! Since recording this video I have switched to a .7 Barlow lens. I felt the .5 lens put me too far away from the subject, and my chair wouldn't go that high. .7x is the perfect compromise of working distance and magnification. Hope that helps!
Very clever way to reduce the pickup on the mike! Would have never thought of that. That lens is a huge improvement! With the swivel of the boom arm and rolling suction it makes for a really versatile setup. Hahaha! I was thinking the same thing! By adding a gasket you remove the contact between surfaces and and put both a buffer on the lens and remove the clicking sound. They are not modifications but custom improvements haha! Those improvement have made a world of difference! Have a good one Mike!
Hi Johan, I guess great minds think alike! 😎 As always, thanks for watching and being a part of the conversation!
You flatter me my friend! This investment is worth its weight in gold and will serve you well in the coming years!
Great video,Mike and congratulations on your progress.Back to reality:I own an AmScope( not as good as yours)that I use for my metal engraving.But I really need to learn the basics of Horology.I managed to dismantle a couple of watches with broken pieces.How do I order the replacements,wheels,etc.I need to watch all your videos.I know it takes time.Thank you.
Hi Angel, engraving sounds cool nd maybe I will try it someday! eBay is a great source to look for watch parts. You can search for individual parts if you know what you need, or buy movements that are the same (or similar) And take just the parts you need.
Outstanding modifications to your microscope ! Much appreciate you sharing this Mike 👍 One question please.
Is tour model Amscope a simul-focus model ?
Thanx again Mike 🍻
Thank you! Yes, the camera port is always open and sees everything that you are looking at through the 2 oculars, including focus.
thanks for sharing Mike..saw the conversation on Dayton's channel and went looking for yours...very informative.
That's awesome! I'm glad to have you on board. 😁
Can I ask a quick question, please? What type of camera is installed on your microscope? Is it a Hayear HY-6110? Because I have a choice between hy-5299 or hy-6110. Please advise me quickly please. Because I need a camera lens. I would like to try it, please. Thank you in advance for your effort
I'm not sure of the model number, but I have links in the video description to the camera, microscope and all of the accessories.
Really thanks for your quick response. really you are wonderful. But are you satisfied with the quality of this camera? Because I hear from some people that the lens installed on the camera is not a real Sony sensor. That's why I hesitated a little. But it's the image quality that matters
@@lolikatrin2648 I don't see why it wouldn't be a real Sony sensor… Sony made a gazillion of them and they are quite affordable, so no real reason not to use them. I have been happy with the quality. My main complaint with this camera is that it forgets the white balance and exposure setting when you turn it off and turn it back on, so you have to go into the menu and reset those. I also have audio noise when using an external microphone. It records sound good enough that I can synchronize the video up with my other cameras, but I have to use audio from a different source. But features and quality I think are excellent for the price… I did not find another camera in this price range that had better specs.
Nice upgrades! I am glad you shared it!
Thanks, and I'm glad you watched!
Thank you soooo much for providing the details of your setup. Ive been wanting to get a microscope for micro soldering and I was overwhelmed by the so many options and didn't know where to look so thank you for that! This is exactly what I needed to see to make my purchase. One question, where did you get the O rings for the eye pieces to stop the rattling noise? Excellent video by the way I really enjoyed learning and watching no pun 😀 this helps me save alot of money because on amscopes website although they are offfering coupon codes its still very expensive with their camera options. I like the boom stand but I might go for a articulating arm down the line but the boom will have to do for starting up.
Hi Ruben, I am really glad that the video helps! The rubber O-rings are watch back gaskets. You can get a variety pack of varying sizes on Amazon very inexpensively. I have a few vintage electronic watches from the 1970s that need repair, so I may get into micro soldering myself! 😁
@WatchWithMike Excellent! I am looking forward to it! Thank you for the information and speedy reply. It will be awesome to see you tackle some soldering!
I'm so excited! I placed the order today on all of your recommendations. I can't thank you enough!
@@rubenmejia4881 You're welcome, and congratulations! Let me know how it goes! 😁
@WatchWithMike I didn't realize how heavy that boom stand was! Lol finally somewhat setup but man the image quality through the eye pieces are amazing!
Hi Mike
Love your videos. I use a standard ring light on my microscope but do find that I can see the reflected 'ring' on the watch movements, jewels, bridges etc especially if they are really shiny. I wondered if that coloured film would cure this. Would a 'polarized' ring light be the way to go.
Regards Chris
@@jowettcars Hi Chris, to control reflections you can add a polarizing film in front of the light source, and then put a rotating polarizing filter on the microscope lens. Depending on the reflections you are getting, the microscope polarizer would rotate into a position that cancels the unwanted reflections. I have toyed with the idea of doing this but it reduces the brightness of your ring light slightly and is something that I have just been working around by slightly repositioning the angle of the microscope. But it would be fun to try, so maybe someday!
Congrats on getting your microscope. Really appreciate how you always optimize your work space and tools. Were you a mechanical engineer in your prior life? Thanks for the video.
Wow, I don't know how this comment slipped past me, so please excuse the delay responding! 😁 I am an engineering wannabe… I spent my career doing communications, but always had hobbies that were DIY and shop related. There's nothing like an organized workspace! I feel that it encourages creativity. Plus, you can never quite perfect your shop space, and never have enough tools. It's a never ending process. 😎
No worries. I appreciate your response. While I was working as an attorney, I never had the time to work with my hands, which is one of the reasons I am now into watchmaking. Watching your videos taught me to think about ways to customize my workspace, which is super practical. Thanks!!!
Isn’t it amazing that man can create something so fine and so small compared to a dime.
Absolutely! 😁
Congratulations on the successful upgrade of your microscope, Mike! What you have now seems to be a way better than in your previous video (especially regarding the clearance). Simply wow! Your attention to detail is amazing. On the whole this Mike-o-scope seems to be a great investment. I'm following your videos and looking forward to the next one.
I know what it is like when you work with two cameras. You are working on ... how many ones .. ? Five? This is titanic work and as a viewer producing occasional videos I do appreciate the effort you make to release high-quality content. Have a great day and even more fun with watches!
Hope you'll give this movement a second chance and it will be possible to revive it.
@artistkirills - thank you for all the amazing comments and for following my humble watchmaking antics! 😁👏🏼
I just subscribed to your TH-cam channel… You are very talented!😁👏🏼
@@WatchWithMike🎉Thank you so much))
Hi Mike, does that microscope camera have autofocus or is that not needed? can you zoom in and out with it without zooming in or out on the microscope?
thanks in advance, and thank you for your detailed video about your microscope!
Sorry, I thought I already answered this comment! So here's the deal… A microscope focuses with the big focus knob. If the main microscope lens is out of focus, then I don't know how a camera would be able to get focused for itself. It would either have to turn the microscope knob or physically move up and down to get its own focus. So I don't think auto focus is a thing on these microscopes.
@@WatchWithMike thank you for your answer! But yes, you already answered this question because I asked this also on a shorts of yours. I will buy the same camera as yours, I think the quality of the picture is the best price quality point there is.
Just subscribed. I found your channel by looking for inspection cameras to use on my custom jewelry bench. I love your enthusiasm and the way you go into great detail. I guess we are all cut from the same cloth! I would love to pick your brain about some of the details of your camera setup. I just bought an inspection camera to display work on a monitor for our customers. Unfortunately, one of my goldsmiths used the ac power adapter from my graver mach to power the camera and killed it. It was an honest mistake as we were rearranging our shop. Now I'm on a deep dive looking for a better camera than what I originally purchased. Would you be willing to provide some insight if I give you the details?
Hi Justin, thanks for the nice comments! Bummer about your camera burning out. QQ: my camera can take two power sources, 12 V and 5 V. If yours is similar, I would suggest trying the other power input before giving up on it. I have gone into some detail about my setup in the comments section on this video and the one that preceded it, so some answers might be there. Otherwise I welcome your further questions. Thanks so much for subscribing and supporting the channel! 😁
Thank you for the information. I'm looking at getting an AmScope for watch repair and I'd like to record video while I work, my question is do you have to pick between being able to use both eyepieces for my eyes to gain the binocular effect or using one eyepiece for one eye and camera for my second eye or are you able to use both eyepieces for your eyes and have the camera recording at the same time?
@@danhealy9093 Hi Dan, a trinocular microscope has three "eye pieces". Two for your eyes that give you stereo vision all the time, and the third is permanently hooked up to a camera which sees everything that you are seeing. So there is no compromise… You can always see in stereo and have what you are seeing recorded.
@@WatchWithMike Hi Mike, thank you for the reply, I investigated closer and the exact model AmScope microscope you have on your video has a feature referred to as "Simul-Focal" which allows the user to use the both eyes pieces for the binocular effect while video recording, AmScope microscopes without that feature will only allow you to use either both eyepieces without video recording or only one eyepiece while video recording, so if anybody wants to be able to use both eyepieces and video record simultaneous make sure you get one with the "Simul-Focal" feature.
@@danhealy9093 good tip! I never knew that was a thing.
I understand the need to sit upright so as not to hurt your back.
👍🏼
ooh yess you need the good barlow ... you need the work distance !!! you need the freedom to move your tools around
Yesssssss!!!!! Definitely a game changer!!! 😁
You make them professionals look like amateurs, Mike!😮
Hi Tom! 😂 Excellent! I feel really good with my progress. It's starting to become more fun/less anxiety. Hoping to stay with the hobby for a long time to come. 😎
@@WatchWithMike you better as you invested a lot into it. But…. a while back you promised me a music video that I’m anxiously waiting for! 😄
@@mokumholland5640 Music video… Action adventure movie (starring Tom Love)… We've got the beginnings of a full blown media company! We are both going to need agents. 😂
@@WatchWithMike you crack me up, Mike! 🤣 Correction, it’s TomLov…😉
very very cool video , i have a question what is your opinion on the AmScope SW-3T24Z Trinocular Stereo Microscope , it's more in my budget for 362 dollars , think it would be ok for watch repairs
I think it would be OK for watch repair as well, but what I like about mine is how robust the base and telescoping arm is. I'm constantly moving the scope around my work service and it really gets heavy when the arm is fully extended. So I guess it depends on how much you will need to move the scope around.
@@WatchWithMike hi thanks for the reply , your scope is only 60 dollars more , so i just bought it !!!
@@Anne6621 that's great news, Anne! Congratulations! 😁
Great Video !!! That microscope is a game changer !!!!!
Hi Sonny! Thanks, I can't wait to use it more 😁
I ordered a Vevor microscope twenty minutes ago. Looks very similar to yours. I hope it’s good. ⚙️🕐🍸
Hope you like it! 😄
@@WatchWithMike You won’t believe it but this thing arrived, I assembled it and it is absolutely great. I love it.
@@NaNByZero I am so glad to hear you like it! Your microscope will quickly become your best friend!
Excellent video and 30mm gaskets ordered!!
Excellent! It really made a difference… Such a simple mod 😁
3:55 could the blue light be due to the reflection from the blue mat you are using? As far as the microscopes go, the variety is just crazy. I am interesting in getting something under $200 but for what they are, most digital ones from China seemed a bit overpriced, imho, especially compared to the better, higher quality build binocular or trinocular ones from AmScope. That said $500+ dollar is not something most any hobbyist could cough up easily to get one.
I used a digital microscope before getting the big optical scope. It's less than $200, and it shoots great video… Check out some of my earlier shows and you will see it in action!
Hi Mike, I have a Amscope with the Hayear camera connected to the scope. I’m trying to connect the camera to my labtop but to no success. What software did you use? Can you explain how to connect the camera to record on my labtop. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.
I am not a good resource because I have never connected to a computer. I am strictly using the camera to record video via the internal mini SD card. I believe whatever software is available to connect to computers is available on the Hayear website. Let me know what you find!
Thanks for responding. I have checked on the Hayear drives but can’t get it to work, I’ll keep trying and if I can’t figure it out I think I’m switching to cameras with SD card.
I was about to say you need a Barlow lens and then…you mentioned it!😅
Colibrí - Yes! Barlow to the rescue! 😁
Hi Mike,i have been watching for a while now,(and i have just subscribed too)...most probably when you had that big bag of watches you were sorting out. I was very interested in your comments about your microscope. Im about to buy one soon. Thanks for the info on the microscope, it was very helpful.
Just an observation,....
Have you thought of or tried a set of curved tweezers???
I was a straight tweezers kinda guy, but i love my curved pairs a lot more than my straight ones for general work. Still need the straights for hairspring work.
Thanks.
Mike.(yep im mike too)
Hi Mike! Yes, I had a cheap pair of curved tweezers that I really liked (but I stopped using because they were, well, cheap!). I've thought about getting a good pair of curved or bent-tip tweezers because in addition to the angle advantage, they also provide a clear line of vision. Under the microscope, my hands often get in the way, and curved or angled tweezers might be a good solution. Just waiting for them to go on sale, lol! 😁
@@WatchWithMike hope to see them in the future...keep tickin mate.
Mike
@@michaelfonseka7657 Got em!
@@WatchWithMike ure the man!!!!👍🏼👍🏿
Hi, Can you please tell me the distance from your eye piece to the top of your work space. I'm thinking of getting one of these scopes but not sure if I will need a lower bench as well, which I really don't have room for.
@yesterdayschild1418 - It's 17.5" from the eyepiece of the scope to the table top, with a .7x Barlow lens installed. (Barlow lenses change the working distance between the bottom of the lens and your subject.) Zoomed in, the eyepiece is 15.5" from the desktop. My desk height is 30". I just bought a new desk chair that adjusts higher than my last one, and that really helps my posture. Switching chairs is easier than switching desks! Hope that helps... 😄
@@WatchWithMike Thank you so much for getting back to me, that's really helpful. I have a Duston watchmaker bench that is quite high, 38" from floor to working surface. The bench is okay but it has a protruding part that sticks out at the front so you cant get your body right close to the main area which is a bit annoying really as it means you're working close to the front with lots of space at the rear, but I assume its like that for a reason. Anyway, back to the scope, I brought a hight adjustable chair to go with the bench and at its highest setting and with me sitting and looking directly ahead at the wall my eye level is circa 21" from the work surface so in theory it may be okay, decisions decisions :-) Just one more question, if I may? I assume, because you zoomed in on the movement, the large image on the left is what you're also seeing through the microscope but what is the image in the top right as that appears to be more of a direct straight down image whereas the large image appears to be more at an angle, also does the zoom function auto focus as you move closure? Apologies for so many questions.
@@yesterdayschild1418 Great questions… first, a watchmakers bench is designed to put your eyes close to the work surface, which is the opposite of what you need working under a microscope. For that reason, I'd recommend looking at a microscope that is on a spring mounted arm, rather than one that rests on a heavy metal base like the one I have. It will give you more flexibility to accommodate to the different heights of the bench. Another variable that we haven't discussed is that the microscope head can be tilted, lowering the eyepieces and aiming the microscope more forward. I like a slight tilt because, if you view your work straight down, your hands and screwdrivers get in the way. So tilting the microscope is another way to reduce the height. In my video, the image on the left is what you see through the microscope (the microscope camera sees what you are seeing). There is no auto focus… you need to manually refocus whenever you change magnification. The top-down view in the upper right corner of my video is a cropped version of what my overhead camera with a macro lens is seeing. It has nothing to do with the microscope view. 😁
Thank you!
You're welcome! 😁
Marvelous, congrats
Thank you!
Mike rowe-scope, It's a dirty job but someone's got a do it. 😉
Absolutely! 😂👍🏼
Where did you find the colour-correcting gels?
Here: amzn.to/3Snme0G
@@WatchWithMike Found them, thank you. I have found the ultrasonic cleaner, and the dryer, but for all my looking, couldn't find the little glass jars and lids! DO keep up the videos.
and the arts holders to fit in the jars . . .
did you find the barrel arbor ?
Yes! Sometimes you just have to walk away, and when you come back it's easy to find.
What model of AmScope it is? Model and price please.
I have my Amazon links to all of the microscope gear in the video description. Thanks for watching!
🤘🤘
Hi Al! 👍🏼😎
@@WatchWithMike 👌👌
I hope you know that your eyepieces are in the collapsed state, just pull up on the rubber cups and they expand out to your eye. Maybe the glasses are the reason they're collapsed. Tom, Florida
@@TomSorrentino-r2p Hi Tom, you are very observant. Correct, the rubber eyecups don't let me get close enough to the eyepieces when I am wearing glasses.