Scope for reed tongue alignment

[alex_holden]

12 hours ago, Lappy said:

A magnifier lens on a headband works well.

 

That's a Donegan Optivisor, as I mentioned earlier in the topic. You can buy the lens plates in six different magnification levels. I have the DA-2 (1.5x), DA-3 (1.75x), DA-5 (2.5x) and DA-10 (3.5x). Note that the stronger the lens, the closer you have to get your face to the work to focus on it, and the greater the eye and neck strain they cause when using them for long periods (the glass is thicker and heavier too). I use the DA-2 lenses about 80% of the time (they are often on my head in the workshop so I can flip them down whenever I want to look closely at something). The DA-3 lenses are often useful for working on finer details, the DA-5 lenses are occasionally handy for very close work (e.g. removing a splinter from your finger), and the DA-10 lenses are so strong and uncomfortable that I practically never use them (it's usually easier to use a microscope instead). I also have the optional flip-in loupe attachment but don't really use it as I found it often got in the way.

[d.elliott]

On 5/24/2025 at 11:32 AM, d.elliott said:

I don't see the need for microscopes for gapping, eye plus a white reflective surface,  and Ear seem to work fine for me. I do use a loupe some times if I suspect a reed crack.

 

A simple aid to reed tongue alignment is a cigarette paper. Release the clamp so you can easily move the reed tongue about. Lay the paper over the reed frame's vent on the tongue side, slip the tongue into place but on top of the paper. Press/ ease the tongue down into the vent between the layers of paper, one per flank. Make sure the top of the tongue is level with the reed frame's top and then start tightening the clamp screws. Alternate 1/4 turn each screw otherwise the clamp plate will press un evenly and force the tongue to one side.