Adam Savage's New Digital Microscope!

[@tested]

Andonstar 2000x Digital Microscope: amzn.to/40KSv34 Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.

[@xnamkcor]

I think it would be great if you provided some more accurate magnification numbers than the product page. One reasonable measure would be the object compared to the image displayed at 1x on the default screen. Or take a photo of a screen and note how many pixels each pixel is. Or, if you want to go crazy, just compare the size of the object to the size of the object projected onto the image sensor(Probably the most honest, but the most depressing number).

[@xnamkcor]

After doing some math, I'm pretty sure measuring the image projected on the image sensor is actually a negative magnification...

[@xnamkcor]

If my math is correct, it looks like the coin is magnified 3.25. (39mm coin, 2175 pixels on my 3840 wide screen, 0.566 of the screen, width of a 10.1 inch screen is 224mm, 0.566 of 224mm is 126, which is 3.25x 39. This device is great for what you are doing, but if you want to take it to another level, I recommend a stereoscopic microscope and a DSLR lens adapter.

[@frijoli9579]

Curious if that is really 2000x.

[@xnamkcor]

@@frijoli9579 If you zoom into the image 1000x it is(not really...it's complicated.)

[@WayneWerner]

As another fan of Marshall's channel, I could not be more delighted or amused at the dichotomy between Marshall's calm, even demeanor, and Adam's frenetic bouncing around. Watchmaking will be Adam's greatest challenge yet 😂😂😂

[@Drkapollo]

This!

[@dirtdigger949]

I think that there will be a lot of bleeping involed or drastic editing!

[@brentgates6363]

I cannot believe that two of my worlds have collided. Marshall and Adam. So different, yet so much alike.

[@bobwerner6512]

Hello young Man

[@solarbirdyz]

It REALLY will be yeah. xD Marshall's a charmer, I know better (for reasons not dissimilar to Adam) and he still makes me have to tell myself, "No. This will drive you insane." And I accept that because I know it is true, and I just enjoy watching Marshall instead. :D

[@azurefog]

Marshall and Adam collab!!! Side by side dueling microscopes. I would watch an hour of that with no hesitation.

[@way2tall42long]

The second he mentioned wristwatch revival this was the first thing I thought of!

[@tc3d_]

It blew my mind watching Marshall’s videos and recognizing his voice , he’s actually Marshall Sutcliffe a prominent caster/host of competitive magic the gathering! I feel like he is under cover doing watch repair videos ahah

[@vocalman81]

@@tc3d_ in many of his videos he has a MtG mousepad on his workstation!

[@GardenGuy1942]

I don’t think Adam knows who Marshall is…. He NEVER mentions him.

[@ashedinthewoods]

@@tc3d_ … which finally explains the MtG mousepad 😂 another mystery solved, thanks.

[@philadelphiabornandraised]

Wristwatch revival is awesome . As a watch guy myself it's some what therapeutic watching him go from a hobbyist to what I consider a as close to professional as can be without any real schooling or training . It's crazy how many little bits and parts he pulls from those watches cleans them up and them back together. I enjoy it

[@hectorbacchus]

A modification that you may want to add is a rotating polarizer that can work with either lens. That way you can tame down reflections.

[@charlieharris2857]

Turning your invention over to Adam is like having the ultimate focus group what he comes up with is going to be so far beyond what the original people who were great came up with this is going to be so much fun to watch

[@PjotrStroganov]

Saw the thumbnail and was getting ready for a wristwatch revival vid. Lo and behold, it’s Adam being inspired by wwr.😊

[@captianjimmyvarno]

Lol it's a good fit

[@prestone8918]

From watching you learn to use a lathe and mill as a machinist myself that was epic and now THIS?!?!? I studied watchmaking for 3 years and this gets me even more hyped to stay tuned!

[@parkereberly6823]

Watch repair is such a unique hobby that I got into because of Wrist Watch Revival and many channels like his (Nekkid Watchmaker, Red Dead Restoration, Watch Repair Channel Vintage Watch Services, etc). A microscope was a game changer.

[@voiceofreason9258]

@Adam Savage's Tested - Hey Adam... I bought one similar for doing solder work, and I found it immensely more usable with it mounted to a VESA swing arm monitor mount. I simply drilled four holes in the base and tapped them so that It would fit the mount from the bottom of the base. Then I mounted the microscope in reverse and tilted height adjustment bar so that I could use it to fine tune the height above my work. It works beautifully and gives me a much larger rage of motion over my work.

[@markmcgillicutty6644]

Love the call out to Marshall! He's awesome and diametrically opposite in energy level to Adam. Both serve as awesome background noise for me during long work days! And a nice Black Adder call out too!

[@nathanfell8993]

Chef's kiss moment: immediately set aside the included instructions and just start putting stuff together. I cannot express enough how happy that made me.

[@matthewl.5059]

I am so happy for you to see the Joy you have at diving into the detail of this watch. I also am intrigued by Marshal at Wristwatch revival and would love to learn more. But I think it would be a great collaboration if you and Marshall got together and he would walk you though doing a repair / service on this wonderful pocket watch.

[@akareject]

Its always comforting when I discover Adam and I watch the same KZbin channels.

[@seanj3667]

I was actually phyched when he was wearing a hat from @twoodfrd.

[@matthewspitz1733]

That Blackadder reference at 19:49 and acknowledgement to the camera was for me. It was perfect. We had a moment there, thank you!

[@Plano04]

The hight adjustment knobs on the stand was placed upside down. If you turn it around the adjustment knobs will be lower and easier to reach underneath the screen.

[@subuser9627]

Took you a long time. I use it for 2 years now on the lathe. For small parts as a old guy like me it is a must. Now you can keep the safe distance from your object on the lathe. The distance between the lens and the object is about 30cm. You can make very fine movies also.

[@oldbutnotdead1]

Tickles me that Adam is subscribed to the same watch repair channel that I have been a member of for a few years. Looking forward to Adam's adventures into microsurgery on his watches.

[@elizzievb]

Never tire of watching Adam geek out. His excitement for whatever he is doing is mega infectious! Thanks for being who you are sir. 👏🏻🔬

[@wearthedead]

I say thank you for being you to everyone I know in my circle. Family and friends. And I’ve only ever know me to have said that in this group of people I know. So cheers to you and thank you for being you. It’s nice to see people appreciating them for simply being themselves. 💚

[@corkkyle]

Well that's how he sells ya things. I like the guy, over the years - I just don't much like this sales job. That said, he has a right to make money and to attach his name to things. But if he were as critical as myself he would not be oohing and aaghing over this piece of garbage.

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Would be interesting to do some focus stacking for awesome macro shots

[@tomhill4003]

Wrist Watch Revival is one of my all-time youtube channels to nerd out on. It's great to see how Marshall does it with the microscope. You totally ROCK Adam!

[@drmntpibb]

Marshal Sutcliffe has been one of my favorite content creators for over a decade. Made me smile to hear Adam say he's a fan too

[@briansavage932]

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that Adam follows the same makers as I do. Ted Woodford, Marshall at Wristwatch Revival, Clickspring, This Old Tony... 😊

[@rocketman697]

Kalle Slaap at Chronoglide is another good one.

[@WatchmakerCassidy]

As a watchmakihg student who's been watching Adam since the beginning of Mythbusters I've been anticipating Adam's dive into watchmaking for so long. I also enjoy Wristwatch Revival for it's entertainment value and getting people into watchmaking. The one thing I would caution is because Marshall is self taught there are some thing that he is incorrect about with repairs that could cause damage if done. But overall a fun channel

[@MotoEPhil]

Marshall got inspired by Mark Lovick's Watch Repair Channel tutorials on line. I believe that Mark fills a critical intermediate niche that enables regular people a head start in understanding how and what goes into servicing. Then its much easier to decide how much time and money you want to spend. And Mark is much less 'bull in china shop' than Marshall is around movements😀

[@2054-j9e]

Feels nice to see adam starting a new hobby. I also love wristwatch revival, and wonder what you could do with it.

[@tested]

Lots of emails exchanged between Adam and Marshall -- stay tuned!

[@bhgemini]

Cannot wait for the one-day build on taking this to the next level. I was planning on getting one and trying to mount the pole flush with my table or a flatter much wider base so I can use my soldering kits/mats with it. Will wait to see what you do and apply R&D (Robbery & Duplication) of your ideas.

[@1pcfred]

You cut the mat so it fits the base.

[@markday3145]

Alas, my mechanical skills are nowhere near good enough to improve the mounting mechanism. I will just have to be content with living vicariously through Adam's future one-day build. The fact that the camera and display are a single integrated piece seems promising. I've debated getting a digital microscope for electronics work. I wonder how much the lack of binocular vision would impair trying to do something delicate while watching the screen.

[@bhgemini]

@@1pcfred that base is tiny. I have the new massive Gamers Nexus solder mat that has trays and holders for tips, parts and tools. I could cut a slit but also don't want a small area that is raised metal. Notice how small that metal base is? My base for my arms is as least 3 times bigger than that. I also picked up the welder hands Adam uses. I'll probably take my existing base and if possible mount this pole to it or rig a direct connection to my build table like I did with my DIY fume extractor. Thanks though

[@bhgemini]

@@markday3145 I have a tall mount pole that already has a long led lamp on a swivel head, a document camera (using kinda like this for now), an over the shoulder camera for demos, and a 24 inch monitor at eye level. Will probably use the HDMI output on one of these models to the monitor. Might see if one exists with no screen at a cheaper price.

[@1pcfred]

@@bhgemini it sounds like for you it's go big or go home. Anything's possible. Not everything turns out to be practical though.

[@brackenan]

What you have there, Adam, is an Elgin Model 4, Grade 96, circa 1889. I have one myself! Marshall's channel is part of what inspired me to dive into watchmaking as a side gig (despite having been a full-time professional clockmaker by trade for 20 years and counting!). Horology is such a rewarding profession/hobby, and I urge more people to get interested!

[@Cador-sr1ws]

I detest when I am told that there will be a link in the description for another related video, and when I go look for the link, it's not there.

[@heyspookyboogie644]

My favorite thing about this channel is living vicariously through Adam since if I had similar resources it’s exactly the sort of stuff I’d be doing and getting excited over.

[@GardenGuy1942]

My favorite thing is when he doesn’t talk. He shouldn’t be allowed to

[@LikeDotAudio]

Use your minimill as a stand... Super solid. And you get very fine xyz controls

[@tracythorn2918]

I'm a big fan of Marshall's channel (and his tool collection!). It will be fun to see Adam's approach to his watch repair and mods to this magnifier.

[@walter67435]

Oh thankyou so much for sharing one of your favorite things in the domain of youtube channels!

[@Otakunopodcast]

I LOVE my digital microscope. Bought it thanks to an Amazon gift card my friend got me for my birthday several years ago. It wasn't that expensive either. I'm an electronics hobbyist, but being extremely low vision, have always found working on electronics to be challenging. I've used magnifiers (both handheld, tabletop and head-mounted like the one you showed off earlier in the video) but found that they were clumsy and awkward to use, they always got in the way, and offered such a narrow field of view that they were extremely hard to use. The digital microscope is a game changer. I now have absolutely no trouble and can easily work on even the smallest of surface mount components, with great field of view and excellent lighting. BTW I ditched the little stand that came with mine (it was too limiting imho) and instead designed and 3D printed a mount for it that lets me attach it to an old swing arm microphone stand that I had lying around. Clamped that to my desk, and now I can position the microscope in any which way I want to. And I have a couple LED spotlight lamps also clamped to my desk that I can use if I need additional lighting. Recently I accidentally broke the USB port on mine (which is also used to power it) and that brought up an interesting chicken and egg problem. (How am I going to repair my soldering microscope, which I need to solder with?) I ended up having to pull out one of my old head mounted magnifiers, and good grief, that was an exercise in frustration. I was able to replace the USB port in the end, but it was NOT easy.

[@dmprdctns]

I watch Marshall... Something about how he handles the presentation... Watched 'em over and over again... Pleasant!

[@BenCiviletti]

I've always thought you must be interested in watchmaking, given the intersection of tinkering, machining, function, art, and history involved. Excited to see that you're diving deeper - I'm about to start learning myself and I've definitely been inspired by Marshall's channel as well!

[@captainmurdock9660]

I'm looking into getting myself a digital microscope as well. I love seeing how exiting you are about this!

[@wickerwaka]

I would love to see you mount this on some kind of arm. I have a smaller/cheaper scope that is similar to this and I mounted it onto a cheap articulating microphone arm. I just needed to print a ring mount that I could screw onto the 3/8 thread the arm used. It's not as stable as I would like, but it is great being able to move it around my entire workbench and easily raise and lower it.

[@calebnewton_]

I am so ready to see the Adam Savage watch repair story arc. And if we can get some Marshall collaborations that would be awesome!

[@krikkeri]

Adam, speaking from experience, get another pocket watch to start on. Any 16s size movements would be better for a first time trial. The reason is that those 18s size watches utilize a full coverage back plate, which means that you need to adjust the alignment of the gear pinions through the sides of the watch, without being able to see the back or front. The 16s size watch movements use two or more pieces for the back plate, which makes it easier to align everything when putting it back together.

[@typicalthrill]

YES! @WristwatchRevival is so awesome! I guess I shouldn't be surprised you are also a fan of his. Love it!

[@nikthefix8918]

I've experimented with magnifiers for ages and realise that the benefit of binocular vision cannot be underestimated but I love the focus control of a digital microscope. The surgical magnifiers are great but seem to be pedantic when it comes to placement with respect to the eyes - a fairly elusive mechanical sweet spot although the arms length depth of field is remarkable. A binocular optical microscope is restricting your work space and is not paint / glue / solder friendly. I've not found a good solution which is reasonably tolerant of changes in object distance, good depth of field and allows me to retain good eye-hand coordination whilst keeping awareness of my environment (soldering iron burns). You'd think the surgical solution would be the one - perhaps I didn't spend enough on my magnifiers. Maybe VR with a bino camera next. Digital microscopes are great for inspection but it's very hard to work under one.

[@lucasbord1983]

We REALLY want to see you restore that watch Adam! Let's get that video STAT!

[@query1527]

I once had a job polishing tiny metal parts. I used an eyepieceless stereo microscope to see what I was doing (these cost around 4k EUR at the time). What amazed me most when I did this work was that my hands and fingers were capable of movements at a much finer resolution than my vision. Since then, my mantra has been "Make sure you can REALLY see what you're doing".

[@peterbockholm3176]

Unboxing with Adam reminds me of christmas when my girls were young, their joy and excitement.

[@dennisfahey2379]

WristWatch Revival is excellent! Say "train of wheels" - Say it! Why I spend an hours watching the same basic operation is beyond me. I guess its the innate desire to see things brought back to life and understanding how complex machines work. Its definitely high touch vs high tech. Or maybe its Marshall's soothing voice. He should be a radio personality on a soft Jazz station. Great microscope! Just ordered it and thanks to Prime Day - even cheaper!

[@justbeeeb2061]

Hey Adam! Thank you for this new video! If I had one I would probably motorize it. Then I would program a microcontroller to make keyframed smooth transitions while staying in focus. Bacause I just think that would be awesome for videos! This microscope is really nice! I yell everything!

[@jeffreyhallam5517]

I am really looking forward to watching you modify the interface for this tool. I am super curious if you believe that the screen need to remain stationary relative to your head and the table move to change focal point. DRO and tv screens don’t move so you always have the internal bearing to just glance to that spot. Will you make a centered arbor to mount the scope in the mill? Who knows what your gonna do. Maybe take the bone of a small drill press and use that for the base. So many possibilities.

[@coreyennis9411]

How about a VR headset instead of the screen!!

[@scottstewart3884]

I too think having the Screen stay stationary would be a boon.

[@tbone9912]

I've owned this exact same microscope for a year or so. I use it for micro-soldering/SMD repair. It's awesome AND it has an HDMI out so you can plug it into a bigger TV or monitor for a bigger screen if you want.

[@WayneWerner]

I have a microscope with a smaller monitor - the lights and the rest of the hardware look identical, thought I don't know if I could swap out lenses like that. But I can also plug it in as a webcam to my computer via the mini-USB port, which is super handy!

[@vanessaryan3103]

How do you find its depth of field? I've been thinking about getting a digital microscope for my lichenology.

[@tbone9912]

@@vanessaryan3103 Just like any other microscope, it's designed to look at flat, basically 2 dimensional objects. Circuit boards are flat, slides are flat, etc. it doesn't really need a lot of depth of field for me since you can easily adjust the focus at any time. I like the ability to record video of what I am doing on a common and cheap removable micro-SD card that pops into the back of the unit, and it also has the ability to switch to black and white and reverse color (negative) modes as well as a whole bunch of other settings and adjustments that I haven't really had the cause to use, but are still included as features. It does a lot of things!

[@vanessaryan3103]

@@tbone9912 Thank you! I currently use both a stereo microscope and a compound microscope with 100x oil objective. The compound microscope has a digital camera attached, but the stereo doesn't and I sometimes need to take photos using it. I've tried using my mobile phone with the stereo through one of the eyepieces, but it's clumsy. I've bought a connector and tried using one of my husband's astronomy/telescope cameras. It works, but I can't keep borrowing his camera!

[@litesronno1shome]

love the marriage of modern technology to old artisanship. I collect pocket watches and will always be amazed to hold something 200 years old and have it start right up. Oldest I've had was late 1700's and it ran beautifully. But try to imagine all the ridiculously tiny screws and parts that were made in times without any electricity. Been a big fan of Marshall's channel for over a year now.

[@taskmaster51]

Might I suggest getting a modern eta 6498 to play with and get used to tearing apart and putting back together. Old pocket watches can be a nightmare. You will want to close the bushing holes which have probably been worn into oval shapes. Also you will want to polish pivots on gears and replace the mainspring which is probably set. Good luck

[@yesbutwhy9501]

Would love to watch Adam try to repair his old watch’s. Big fan of Marshall’s videos

[@marcsr71]

add a Lazy Susan to rotate items without touch, love to see you make this portable, so you have another "Put it in a box" Challange with its own tools for usage.

[@robcarnaroli269]

I got into watchmaking because of Marshall. Found I never used the digital because of lack of stereo. I always used my optivisor instead. Then I found an amscope on Amazon for $217. No comparison. Actually just picked up an Elgin pocket watch roughly that vintage. It was stuck at full wind. Did a service and runs surprisingly well for it's age!

[@rickkcir9959]

Hey Adam. I bet you could get the watch timing REALLY close, almost as accurate as a quartz crystal, with a digital O-scope and a microphone as pickup. Pass the idea along if it works. I've used that trick to balance rotating assemblies and to measure RPM with a salvaged light pickup and some reflective tape. Scopes read bare sensors really well.

[@williampowell1822]

I also watch Marshall and very much enjoy watching him repair watches and I have learned a lot through watching and one thing I remember is don't touch the watch or the movement with bare hands. It could damage the watch.

[@bunyslayer]

This is fantastic and I can see Adam utilizing this every day! Can't wait for whats to come!

[@iansights7526]

I've also been impressed with Wristwatch Revival. I've collected most of the Horology tools I need as well as old watches from estate sales but have been wanting a digital microscope as well. I made a blind guess on the price of the digital scope and missed it by $1.09. My Elgin pocket watch is slightly newer than yours and I've had it 40 years. It stopped running a while back because it's gummed up and needs a good service. Fun fact: The Dali Lama also likes to work on watches. I knew you like watches when I spotted you wearing a Omega Moon watch in one of your videos. Nice.

[@itbe]

That is awesome. Want one! And your love for Time Bandits fills me with joy. I often say, "I've got an idea..." just like that.

[@unionse7en]

I just got a set of Pentax MACRO binoculars they focus as close as 18" . Not expensive and very nice optics.. I think I can even do some machining thru them (tripod)

[@SxC97]

wow, what are the chances! I just found Wristwatch Revival last week and binged his entire channel. I felt like Adam would love his style of videos and it looks like I was right!

[@karstenjackson-lange5516]

Hi I fixed mine by taking the top screw out and redrilling it on the side with 6 mm tap it now pushes the tube against the flat bit on the slide no woble but can't wait to see what you do

[@Tamalain]

I use something just like this in my work. It allows me to find and remove metal burrs on parts before I turn in to inspection.

[@gamera1962]

That watch was made around 1889 according to the pocket watch database. I also enjoy watching watch restorations on youtube.

[@phoenux3986]

I've been considering getting a digital microscope cause I want to dive deeper into the world of soldering, glad to see they're not as expensive as I thought they would be.

[@robadams1645]

Yeah I was surprised at how reasonable this was. $400 Canadian isn't too bad. I imagine 90% of the cost is in the lenses. The rest of it is pretty much off the shelf electronics that is probably dirt cheap these days.

[@jamesdeugan744]

The fact that I've watched both of your channels then you validate my watching Marshall . My wife can't understand why I watch either.

[@messylaura]

yep, i can see why the old microscopes were the weight of a small car engine, a heavy one will have alot less shake at high magnification, i experience the same sort of thing when looking through a manually mounted telescope over 2400mm, small movements at one end give a huge movement at the other

[@adnamamedia]

I was really surprised to see how affordable such a device is! I have never bought a digital microscope before so I have no frame of reference, but I was expecting to click on that link and have it be $2,000. It's only $270 something! Now I'm considering buying one for myself as I do a lot of work on 60s/70s mechanical film cameras (a lot of tiny gears and springs, much like a watch).

[@brinkee7674]

You, me and thousands others are fans of Marshall. I myself hope to be sending a cherished cherished item of mine to him. A 70's era Tudor that belonged to my deceased father that is in need of service. Marshall has come so far since I started watching him and his work is impeccable

[@jeffreyschreiber8679]

I’m obsessed with Wristwatch Revival. And you don’t see his face, but every so often, in addition to the watch he’s working on, you get a glimpse of the incredible watches he is wearing while doing the work. An additional treat for watch geeks.

[@ericg7044]

I love how Adam watches all of the same channels I do. Machining, watchmaking, etc. Marshall got me into watchmaking too, I recently bought a stereo microscope. Was thinking about a digital but decided to just bite the bullet and get the good stuff.

[@jeff1176]

Watch repair and or watch making is absolutely fascinating. I highly recommend it if you just want to watch and relax.

[@sledzeppelin]

That "Welcome" font is hilarious and adorable. I'm getting the 7" version of this scope for Christmas and I can't wait. Slides!!

[@thewraith1977]

I also always enjoy Marshall's videos, he is well on his way to becoming a master watchmaker.

[@solarbirdyz]

I've got a smaller unit very much like this and I 10000% know what you're thinking about for your build, because it's the same thing I've been thinking about how to build, and it's an arbitrary-positioning arm of some kind. I don't have my exact answer yet but I'm gonna get there.

[@jameshisself9324]

Marshall is the best! As I am sure he would also recommend, I would practice on some cheap 6497 clones before you dive into that. It is inevitable that until you adjust to working in the micro world that is watchmaking, you will lose or otherwise mess up something. That balance spring is of the fragile older type and could break very easily. Replacements are hard to find as you might imagine. Proceed with caution.

[@Isac3000]

I love wristwatch revival! I sometimes have it on my phone and fall asleep to Marshals voice 😂 My New Year’s resolution this year is to make my own watch. The movement I will buy but the dial will be pretty much all me. Maybe the case as well. But the dial will need a lot of TLC. So I will probably order that microscope this week. I mean 280 dollars is a steal! Thought a device like that would cost 5-10 times more. Thanks Savage!

[@darkwinter6028]

I have a stereo microscope that I find to be absolutely invaluable in soldering... although I can do 0603 parts, I usually pick 0805 so that they’re easier to grab with the tweezers.

[@jameshicks7125]

I am about to buy another set of magnifiers. One thing I did was buy cheap 2, 3, 4, and 5 diopter reading glasses. Unfortunately, as the magnification goes up your hands end up being right in front of your face. So I need a binocular set now. I got an Amscope Stereo inspection microscope, but my eyesight is off and it's hard to focus to get a low strain stereo view. Now I am looking into something with an LCD screen.

[@gregorivs1]

I shave with a straight razor, and it’s essential to keep the edge exceptionally sharp. I use a digital microscope to inspect the straight razor edge during honing and after daily use

[@alexscragg3790]

A Marshall and Adam collab!!! Side by side on the microscopes. I would watch that all day.

[@todds2248]

Really surprised when I saw basically the same pocket watch I've been working on this week, on your channel. I thought being the tool junkie you are, you would enjoy watch repair. PS, don't flip the balance wheel with your finger. Use air (not breath) or a few fine strands of a small paint brush. That's a nice 18s Elgin, but not a railroad grade. Those big Elgins are becoming my favorite to work on. They make the coolest ticking sound of them all!

[@rontocknell5400]

A lot cheaper than a stereo microscope and more comfortable to use. As part of your upgrade, could you create or adapt a LED ring light to fit the High Mag objectives? For example, the housefly's compound eye is viewed with transmitted light shining through the transparent sample... which is great. But you can't see the 'honeycomb' of eye lenses because the surface structure is blown out by the light shining through it. With a top light, you would see the surface structure. The light source would have to be as close to the very tip of the objective as possible so the light hitting the sample wouldn't be blocked by the objective itself (I've played around with this idea on a standard microscope... with varying degrees of success and failure). I don't have the machining skills and equipment that you have so you could probably pull it off well.

[@3nertia]

I already own this exact digital microscope that I picked up for smd soldering! I'd love Adam's input on threading one of these - QuadHands Deluxe Workbench - so that I can still use my pcb holders *with* my microscope What would I need for tools and what is the cheapest [reasonable] option to accomplish this task?

[@Liam1H]

Hey Adam, you mentioned wanting a timegrapher. In the mean time, there's an inexpensive app for your cell phone that can stand in pretty well before you make that purchase and goes by the name, Timegrapher as well. Also, thanks so much for doing this review! I've been looking at microscopes for my pocket watch servicing play and at this digital microscope in particular. The biggest selling point is the distance between the specimen table and the lens. It suggests that you could see your work while you're working on it. Seems like something all watch working microscope should provide but don't. I'm also a fan of Marshall's channel. Not that it really matters, and especially with a beautiful Elgin like yours, but Railroad standard pocket watches had a bunch of different required features. Usually they included; Lever set hands rather than Crown set, Arabic numbers rather than Roman numerals, stem at the 12 o:clock position and not the three o:clock position, regulated to four of five positions, a minimum of 15 jewels prior to 1895 and 17 after that, open face rather than hunter case, no more than 3 seconds gain or loss per day and finally, they were usually size 16 or 18. Again, thank you! This was really helpful and it looks like I'll be getting one of these digital scopes. It should really help!

[@button-puncher]

Check the surface finish of your machined parts. You'd be amazed what you see. Also, see how a bit of polishing, emery cloth, goes.

[@lvl300mrmime]

Wristwatch Revival is such an addicting channel. He really makes you want to buy thousands of dollars of equipment and greases to fix your watches. Love it.

[@christopherpardell4418]

I think you put the yoke arm upside down on the vertical tube. The focus rack knobs should not be BEHIND the screen, they should be visible and readily accessible BELOW the screen without your having to reach around behind. It looks to me like if you flipped over, its already designed to have the focus rack controls hang below the bottom of the screen.

[@rybec]

Absolutely gorgeous. I love the form factor. That makes it much easier to do fine work under than traditional microscopes. Also, I _love_ that watch, and it's awesome that it still works! Looking forward to video on it.

[@joeyhemlock]

Looooooove Wristwatch Revival. Marshall is SUCH a good explainer.

[@DaHaiZhu]

I, for one, appreciate that Adam takes the time to RTFM (even during a fresh unboxing), so he knows how to put it together and use it - unlike other channels, *cough*LTT*cough, that believe winging it with bad info only to be overlaid with the correct info in post-production is somehow 'good-enough'.

[@gav_bray]

I always thought Adam would be into watches, the main give away was the Seiko SKX I've seen him wear. Such a classic watch, famous for all the modding you can do to them also. Much love.

[@paulclancy4221]

I bought 3 seperate digital microscopes to get a really close up look at my meteorite collection. None of them worked,so returned them and bought a normal microscope with bottom and top lights. It's brilliant. The microscopic world/universe is a fascinating place.

[@swedeburg]

Wristwatch Revival is the best.......He's a great Narrator, always fun to watch....

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

I also vouch for the microscope Adam. Great for inspecting jewels and wheel pivots! Good luck and have fun restoring your watches. It's a great hobby!

[@sorenkazaren4659]

“BUT I WANT ONE, NOW” Is an emotion I think we have all felt so very many times when experiencing something cool. XD

[@TheLawDawg]

So glad that Adam is a fellow WWR fan! 😊

[@BNETT21]

You may not have the time calibration machine, but you do have access to quality cameras? Record it at 120/240 hrz for a few minutes, then compare it in editing software.

[@alonsoquesada1136]

The whole time I was like "send the watch to Marshall", "I'll tag him to do a collab" and all of the sudden Adam mentions him, how awesome

[@franciskisner920]

Your Elgin appears to be a 7-jewel movement. That is a bearing jewel and a cap jewel at each end of the balance staff + a roller bearing on the side of the balance staff where it connects with the pallet fork, and two pallet jewels at the other ends of the pallet fork that release one tooth at a time of the first wheel. This is considered the minimum requirement for accuracy. Watches for use on trains would probably be required to have the next better movement. Also, the dial (face) of the watch is not correct for trains. Trainmen were required to have watches with a "Railroad" dial - Larger numbers, not Roman numerals to reduce the chances of misreading the time, larger hands, etc. My father did watch repair. He had a small book that gave approximate dates for when each company made movements by their numbers. It is likely that you can find out more about your movement such as its date of manufacture by asking anyone still in the trade. Enjoy the new optics and thanks for the video.

[@Jacksirrom]

Having watched wristwatch revival and others, I really wish the Elgin National Watch Company was still around. The pieces are so pretty and varied. So much work and skill for affordable watches back in the day.

[@chrisj683]

Wow. I have that watch. It’s my great-grandad’s old timepiece. Surprisingly easy to work on.