Tiny lenses for lorgnettes

[VHB]

A customer just brought me three antique lorgnettes, hoping I could put +2.50 lenses in them. The lenses are so tiny (25mm x 15mm) that they are smaller than the chuck.

Does anyone have a suggestion or source for something like this. I know it's going to involve a lot of hand edging, but my customer really wants them. She bought them in an antique store and they all have different Rxs in them, none of which will work for her.

If this is the wrong forum, please advise where I should post this.

[Johns]

I know it's going to involve a lot of hand edging, but my customer really wants them.

If you're not up to the task (hand edging), just send them to your lab, they should be able to handle it.

[VHB]

Oh mercy! I don't do any edging work, just the fun part of dispensing!

The two labs I use have said that they can't do it because the lenses are so small. One lab is sending a lorgnette to another speciality lab to see if they can do it. I can't remember its name~Epoch, maybe?

Anyway, I was hoping that there would be someone who has a lot of society dames who use lorgnettes and could tell me where to send these.

[gemstone]

One lab is sending a lorgnette to another speciality lab to see if they can do it. I can't remember its name~Epoch, maybe?

Epic.

[Johns]

How many does she have?

I'm sure an Optiboarder here will take up the challenge.

In fact, if you PM me the specifics, I'll let you know what it will cost, and I'll do it for you.

[chip anderson]

Do these people call themselves a "Lab" and they can't do hand edgeing?
Mercy!
God knows what would happen if they ever had do a wafer attachment segment.

[optical24/7]

Hi VB. I understand you don't do lab and that's fine, but I'm with Chip on this, any lab should be able to do this hand work. If customer service is telling you they can't do it, ask for the lab manager. I can't imagine a lab of any size that doesn't have someone with hand edging skills to do this. Good luck.

[Chris Ryser]

Very interesting................would you please keep us informed how long it took you to find a lab or somebody that would hand edge a few lenses into a lorgnette.

This will be a perfect measurement on the American status of the optical art of doing and understanding manual work in the age of high tech machinery that can not produce small sizes.

[cocoisland58]

A good lab will have someone, perhaps an old timer, or the owner who can do specialty stuff like this. If you want it quick, forget it. Custom work should be appreciated for what it is and waiting for it is expected.

[Chris Ryser]

A good lab will have someone, perhaps an old timer, or the owner who can do specialty stuff like this. If you want it quick, forget it. Custom work should be appreciated for what it is and waiting for it is expected.

Doing lenses by hand for this lorgnettes should not take more than 15 minute per lens max.

Do them in the beveledger to the smallest size possible, as per limitation of chuck, make a flat bevel and then take the balance off on the hand diamond wheel. No big deal.

[gemstone]

Maybe best to get a volunteer here. Could I do it? yes. Do I have time? Sorry, no. I'd farm it out. The labs have been in such a competitive situation for the last 25 years, most have only one person capable to do such a job. They are the lab manager and if they had time, they no longer have the patients. I'd farm it right out to Epic or some other specialty lab. You insist on a cheap progressive. You change labs when they raise their prices(In spite of 2.5 times mark up). You got to have free shipping. Then you come on this board and p*** and moan about the lack of basic skills and customer services. Same thing that makes the tomatoes at the farmers market rot.

[Chris Ryser]

You insist on a cheap progressive.

That would be a worlds first................an antique lorgnette with a cheap progressive.

Which part of the progressive would you want to in that job ??????????? ........the distance..............the progressive part .........or .....the reading part ?

What brand ? China or one of our favorite Corporations ????????????

[DragonLensmanWV]

Reminds me of the old Tiny Tura frame. Heck, I could do those for you.

[gemstone]

That would be a worlds first................an antique lorgnette with a cheap progressive.

Which part of the progressive would you want to in that job ??????????? ........the distance..............the progressive part .........or .....the reading part ?

What brand ? China or one of our favorite Corporations ????????????

Read the post. I am talking in gereral!

[chip anderson]

If these gonna be plastic lenses you should be able to do this with a drimmel tool or a disc sander. Geese Louise not everthing has to be high tech.

[HarryChiling]

VirginiaBurton,

I could definately do them PM me the details of what you are looking for and it's done. I am PM ing you my contact information.

PM sent with prices and information.

[VHB]

I'm going to send them to one of the Optiboarders who sent me a private message.

I really appreciate all your comments and offers of help. When I worked in an optical shop back in the early 70s, we made them, but there was much cursing and complaining as we worked! Of course we were using glass lenses back then, so I wound up with those horrid little blisters where specks of glass would get into my fingers. (We didn't wear any eye protection, either~yikes!)

My thanks to everyone who chimed in on this. I will post when the lenses are done and let you know how it went.

[HarryChiling]

Virginia I finished them tonight, and they will go out in the mail in the morning. Here are some photos of them, they came out nice and thin and look great. I had to take photos to add to my portfolio.

[CME4SPECS]

I bet your fingers cramped a bit doing those. Nice job!

[HarryChiling]

Small thig to a giant.

[rbaker]

I think someone already said it but, “Geese Louise.” Has the craft really descended that far down the crapper? Somebody should be ashamed of themselves.

First of all, you want a “flat” lens in glass, surfaced to a 0.5 - 1.0 mm finished center thickness if it’s a minus power and to a 0.5 - 1.0 mm finished edge thickness if the power is plus. If you can’t do it you are not an optician. And, if your lab can’t do it Geese Louise.

[VHB]

I believe it's "Jeez Louise" and perhaps it was more a matter of my labs (two of them) not wanting to do it. Anyway, I've now found someone who does it beautifully, so all's well that ends well.

Harry, it looks lovely and I can hardly wait to show it to my customer. As soon as I get that one back I'll send you three more. Please enclose a bill with it and I will send a check with the final three.

I'm amazed that this thread got so much attention!

[Johns]

Harry,

Are you sure the "PD" is correct?:D:D:D

[Johnny Eyes]

Harry,

Are you sure the "PD" is correct?:D:D:D

You forgot to ask, Is she a righty or a lefty

[DragonLensmanWV]

I believe it's "Jeez Louise" and perhaps it was more a matter of my labs (two of them) not wanting to do it. Anyway, I've now found someone who does it beautifully, so all's well that ends well.

Harry, it looks lovely and I can hardly wait to show it to my customer. As soon as I get that one back I'll send you three more. Please enclose a bill with it and I will send a check with the final three.

I'm amazed that this thread got so much attention!

I always thought it was Geez Louise.

Now Harry, show us a picture of the notches from the hand edger in your fingernails after that one!:D