Magnifying Lamp
A magnifying lamp is an ingenious invention that many people don’t even know about. Nevertheless they have doubtless seen and used them at some time in their past, maybe in their childhood, but they have just forgotten the name of it.
The purpose of these lamps is twofold. Firstly, they provide light. When one is working on small crafts, looking at stamps, or a coin collection, this light is necessary in order to really get a good view of the details of what one is looking at. The magnifying lens does the same thing in a different way. It makes the objects appear to be bigger. The lens can often be adjusted in terms of its magnification levels. If you want to see things bigger then just twist the knob and they will be magnified.
Pricing for magnifying lamps varies depending on the size and use of them. On the most (and most common) side, there are the desk varieties. They sit on top of a desk, table, or other level surface. They may be similar in size to other lamps of this sort. But of course they have the dual capability of both lighting the area and magnifying it. This type of a magnifying lamp may cost somewhere in the ballpark of $20 to $40.
Then there are ones which are more heavy duty. Serious craftsmen will be more likely to use these kinds. They stand on the floor and have a long thin body which comes up to hover over the workspace. The magnifying lamp here extends on an adjustable arm so it can be brought forth and put back. It will definitely have a great amplifying action. It costs on the order of $100 or $200.
Finally there are magnifying lamps which clamp onto the side of a bed or other protrusion. These are great for reading at night. Pull it over and it will light and make bigger the text of any book or magazine. When the eyes start to close switch it off and push it away. Expect to pay $60 to $120 for such a lamp.
All in all this item is one of those great old inventions which will never go out of style. It serves two practical purposes at once and is at heart a very simple and basic contraption. Use the prices listed above as a guide to know if you are in the ballpark of a fair price when buying a magnifying lamp for your home or work.