I am trying to get an idea of your mostly used optical tools. If you were to only have a half dozen to use, which ones would they be and in what order would you rank their importance?
Here is my list:
1.- Screwdriver (flat & phillips)
2.- Round Fiber Jaw Pliers
3.- Side cutters
4.- File
5.- Lens Turner
6.- PD Rule
Let me know what you might add or delete.
Thanks,
Kevin
Kev,
Not too sure what the one I use most is called (talk about an educated optician) But, it looks like pliers, but with a plastic guard on only one side to protect damage to frame while shaping. (moving in or out the endpiece of the frame front. I would put this first, then :
2: screwdrivers
3: round fiber
4: nose pad pliers
5: as you have listed 3,4,5
the pd ruler is always in the pocket!
Now, would you let us know what you're up to?
have fun!
New-eyeguy01
OK heres what I'm up to but I need your help:
My brother, a mechanical engineer, believes he can develop an opticians "Multi-Purpose" tool for me. I'm just wondering what tools folks would find most practical packed into a little gizmo which convienently fits into their pocket.
It's been an idea for a while and we may be able to have a prototype over the next few weeks.
By the way, 10 years ago I thought it would be a good idea to make fishing line with an AR coating so that fish won't be spooked by the lines reflection. Someone beat me to it and now the stuff is on the shelves of most fishing shops where guys will swear by it contributing to their success.
Kevin
What a Teriffic Idea!! Kinda like a leatherman tool for opticians?hmmmm!
This sure would save a lot of runnin around the room for tools, and not have to weigh down the lab coat pockets when you do carry most of what you need.I'm sure you'll get quite a few replies from people for ideas of what tools to condense in one unit. then comes the tough part, Patents and manufacturing...Sure wish I could help ya, kev! Good luck to you, though :D !!!!!
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Hi. I was taught that a 'real' optician does not need any tools at all. A 'real' optician already owns them: training, intelligence, and ability.
Furthermore, a fingernail will serve as a screwdriver. The bench, your own fingers, and the wall will serve as all of the pliers you buy (instead of $75 each).
Having said that...
I feel the needlenose are the only tool that is essential. If it came down to "Survivor" -like stuff, then Needlenose will win. Needlenose can do anything, (just use a towel not to mar the frame).
After needlenose pliers, I feel that a good set of nose-pad pliers is a fine thing to have. Not just any nose-pad pliers, either. The ones that are suited to hard to reach guard-arms. We all know that the very FIRST thing to be adjusted on a frame for a client is the nosepads... Right???
I am not home right now (or work for that matter), so I don't have a catalog to quote model numbers from, sorry.
Side cutters, Phillips and slot screwdrivers, needlenose (yes, two pair), axis pliers, all the pliers in the catalog, taps, punches, drills, Fabrique National rifles, vodka, lap tops, lap girls, ah the list is endless.
Shwing;-}
What a great idea! Sort of like a Swiss Army knife for opticians.
1. screwdrivers(of course)
2. axis pliers
3. I don't know what the name of it is but it is a plier with a hooked nose on it. I use it for everything from putting screws in to prying open contact lens vial. LOVE IT!!
4. fiber jaws
5. pd
6. side cutter
Steph
1. nose pad pliers
2. screw driver
3. round fiber pliers
4. needle nose
5. that small file that flips up at the end (like to file a screw)
6. screw extractor
Let me know when it's ready- can i have it in blue??? :)
Sounds like something interesting to me.
Let me know where to send the check.
Rich R
My answer
1. screwdriver
2. p.d. rule
3. nose pad pliers
4. temple angling pliers
5. temple turning pliers
6. needle nose pliers
Great Idea! We do repairs and adjustments at nursing homes and the like and it would be great not to have to lug around the tool kit.
1)PD Rule (it is to an optician what a letter opener is to an office manager or duck tape to the do it yourselfer)
2)Screwdriver flat & philips
3)Needle Nose Pliers
4)Rat Tail File
5)Side Cutting Plier
6)Temple Flairing Plier(half flat half teflon)
7)If there is room, a push pin type of thingy for getting pieces of broken rimless cord our of the frame holes.
Only 3 essential.
1)fingers
2)eye
3)brain
not aways sure of order of importance.
Can I have one that dispenses plasters (band aids, I think you call them), so that when I gouge big chunks out of my finger, I don't have to try and open the first aid kit one-handed?
Most important:
Coffee Maker and PD stick (need something to stir the coffee)
Threw away axis pliers 20 years ago. need a flat and phillips head screwdrivers, need half/round pliers, a PD ruler is helpful, and a good cutter is ok, don't need much else.
How 'bouts incorporating a nifty vise to compress Sferoflex spring hinges?
Cindy, Call Luxottica, they have one.
The only thing I could think of that has'nt already been mentioned is an Ultra Sonic cleaner to vibrate the face cheese off so I can use all the tools mentioned. Maybe also self starting temple screws for those pain in the neck spring hinges, or the scredriver that actually holds the screw that comes in handy.
How about a slotting file so you can remove the "universal" screw from the drug store repair kit that wedged itself in securely before it broke off?
Anybody remember snipe nose pliers? Just about the handiest ones to have for nose pads also.
It has been mentioned, but I have to confirm that my own fingers, hands and nails are the most important tools. Especially the nails of the Right Thumb and Forefinger which I always try to keep up to about 5 mm long.
These tools are invaluable for adjusting pad arms, removing and inserting screws but most of all for removing tightly fitting Nylon Rimless lenses without causing damage.
It's a bad day for me when I break a nail (I do understand women now!)
Having said this, I'm nutty about all types of tools, and any visit to a show ends up with me buying more tools... if I haven't got it and I can see a use for it, I'll buy it. The only item I don't use, and I don't even know where it is now, is the Lens Turner, I used it twice many years ago, ruined two lenses, and then retired it from the lab.
I do like the idea of the Swiss Army Optic Knife... lets have more details when it's ready..
Clive
This is not exactly a tool, but I would have to praise the 1.5 screw with coating. It fits almost, and I did say almost all eyewire hinges. The coated ones give it an extra holding power. Saves alot of time also instead of digging for the right size screws.
Can it have an anti-glue spray, so that the frames can be coated with it before going out? That way, when a screw drops out, they can't try to plug the hole with special-super-magic glue before bringing it in. Where do they get the glue from? It's far stronger than any glue commercially available.
Also, if you incorperate all of the above suggestions, how about a small handcart to carry it about? :)
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Maria "no amusing quote" K
For those tough temples & screws. Occasionally you will get a temple material or screw that won't cut with snips (some of them even eat the snips). The little fiber cutting wheels (in a sufficiently fast spinning chuck) will cut right through almost anything. Including: Stainless, titanium and anything else spectacles are made of.
[This message has been edited by chip anderson (edited 11-13-2000).]
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