OK, it isn't necessarily considered a typical mechanic's tool, but I find a 10x magnifier to be really handy for close inspection of mechanical parts. The ones that I've seen the most of over the years were "Hastings triplets" by Bausch & Lomb, but I was very pleased a couple years or so ago to see these BelOMO triplets turn up.

The performance is excellent, and the price is low enough that I don't feel all queasy about actually carrying it around all the time.

Details and a list of sellers can be found here. They've gone up a couple of bucks since I bought mine, but they can still be had for $14-15 plus shipping, maybe a bit less if one is willing to go the eBay route.

Full disclosure: I have no particular affiliation with the manufacturer, distributor, or sellers. I find these to be very useful, and to be an outstanding value for the money, so I thought I'd share it as a sort of tool tip.


-- eskimo

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Good suggestion, but I prefer the pocket sized illuminated/lighted units, from stamp and coin shops usually. The light really helps.

It's as much a function of my 67 year old eyesight as anything else, but I have a magnifying lamp mounted at one end of my workbench that I find extremely useful. Soldering fine circuitry, checking hydraulic cylinder bores, pulling splinters, etc. Wouldn't be without it.

Wes