You might prefer an inexpensive pair of reading glasses, (assuming you already have good close up eyesight) ; optically correct, in strengths up to 3D (diopters) they are often to be found in bargain supermarkets like Lidl and other 'value' outlets at around £1 a pair. At that price I used to leave pairs in strategic places. Tesco sell a similar range for somewhat more money - around a fiver. This gives you the advantage of trying first. For really close examination, like reading an engineering vernier scale or sharpening your dovetail saw, the 3D strength will give a good and comfortable view from about 6" range.
If you already wear glasses, Tilgear do a handy flip up clip-on that clips over your usual pair, as clip on sunglasses do, flips up for normal viewing, and adds 3D when you need it by flipping down. Optical effect as above. About a fiver +VAT. Opticians may have these, but will charge quite a bit more, I expect. I now use these over occuapational varifocals (a big improvement over the standard varifocals, by the way)
There's a 75mm dia. 5x magnifier sitting on the desk here; it needs to be held about 60mm above the object to be examined, which cuts out a lot of light, but enlarges it to about twice normal size but with a field of view of under 40mm dia.. Other strengths pro rata. Specs interfere much less with the work. It's dificult to quantify their magnification, as you are viewing from different distances - effectively probably about 11/2 times. Large dia. magnifiers will distort the view considerably; bend straight lines for eg unless of astronomical price. Glasses less problematic in this regard.
Cut a dash of precision woodwork, and wear your flip ups whilst examing your dovetails. Way cool (as I think the grandchildren still say)
