I tried using several different versions of table mounted magnifiers or table mounted magnifying lights but was unhappy with every one. To use them effectively, one had to be moving them all of the time.
So, many years ago I was given a head band mounted magnifier essentially identical to this one:
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www.amazon.com]
Pardon the pun, but I have never looked back.
In addition, to get the perfect focal length for the best distance for working, I tried several different pairs of single vision glasses. I have a pair of reading glasses for 12 inch distance. A pair of computer glasses for 26 inch distance and a pair of glasses just for distance.
But, for me, I generally use the pair of single vision glasses that are calibrated at 26 inches.
Then, when using these glasses in conjunction with the 2x magnifier in the head bank, I have perfect vision at 18 inches which is the distance that I like to have the rod placed for good work with correct arm, wrist and hand placement on the rod.
In addition, I also have very intense light that illuminates the area being wrapped. I use a high intensity light with the light itself at about 6 inches from the work.
When one works, it has been found that the greater the level of detail, the greater amount of light is required for doing the best possible job.
But, if one uses a magnifier, and if one normally wears glasses, by using a pair of single vision that give perfect focus on the work piece no matter the position of eyes or head, and a great deal of intense light, one can literally count the twists on an individual thread as one does the wrapping Also, one can wrap for 10-20 hours and have no more eye strain than if you were just out for a Sunday walk - so to speak.
But, if one works without illumination and or in the dark - so to speak - the work is so much harder and the results are certainly less, than if working in the bright magnified area with correct focal length eye ware.
As the Eye Doctors will tell you, as each year goes by, you need to turn the lights up a bit more to be able to see as well as you could see the previous year. It is all about aging of the ey and the need to provide greater brightness to the eye to have the visual acuity as one did the previous year with a lesser amount of light.
So, as you go through the years, don't be surprised if you need to have more light on your work to achieve the similar results that you had with a lesser amount of light and a lesser amount of magnification that you had when you were 20 years younger.
If you look at this chart of lighting requirements:
[
www.noao.edu]
You will note that it is required to have 200 times more light intensity for doing exacting detailed work ( like rod wrapping) compared to general office or general work.
