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Products - Optical Instruments
Magnifying Comparators and Reticles

Technical Details of the Magnifying Comparators

Made in the USA for Over 50 Years

 

 

Transparent Barrel
Focusing Magnifier

 


Interchangeable Reticle
(Transparent Scale)

 Magnifier How is it Made?
The picture tells the whole story. When things are small you have to magnify both them and the measuring scale in some way, and this is the most convenient and least expensive way to do it. An optical tool designed to take advantage of modern manufacturing methods to get accuracy, roughness, portability and versatility at an extremely low price.
How Do You Use it?
Use it just as you do any other scale - put it down on the work and measure.
What Will it Do?
  1. Measure small dimensions accurately and conveniently.
  2. Compare small shapes with established standards.
  3. Do many similar jobs in new and unusual ways. More than 60 different reticles (transparent scales) are available. If you work with small objects or expect to do so, you need it in your tool kit. GUARANTEED. It is fully guaranteed.

  1. Extreme Accuracy produced through newly-designed cameras which reproduce certified accurate scales on Reticles made of extremely tough, low expansion photographic film. Each Reticle is an original photograph.
  2. Accuracy Cannot Get Out of Adjustment as with projection comparators or measuring microscopes. The accuracy is permanently built into the Reticle, and minor variations in the instrument do not affect it.
  3. Can Be Positioned on Objects of Any Size. No depth-of-throat limitations with comparator.
  4. Take it to the Work - Easily. You do not have to take the work to it as with larger tools making similar measurements. This results in important labor savings.
  5. Many Reticle Patterns. Reticles for practically every use required in metalworking, measuring and comparing, as well as for other applications.
  6. Only One Scale on a Reticle. Much easier to use because it is free from confusion of the user which results when many scales are crowded onto one Reticle.
  7. Low Parallax. Reduces the spacing between work and scale to only .003" which prevents scratching yet practically eliminates parallax error.
  8. Both Black-Line and White-Line Reticles. A unique feature is the supplying of the Reticles in pairs of the same pattern, one having black lines and one white lines, to insure contrast with the work being measured.
  9. Needs No Special Light Source. Light is admitted through the transparent walls of the comparator to the object viewed. Any light adequate to inspect a part is adequate.
  10. Also a High-Powered Magnifier. Without the Reticle, which is easily removed or interchanged, the Comparator becomes a high-powered magnifier, useful in many ways.
  11. Pull-or-Twist Focusing. A unique construction that permits very quick focusing yet allows collapsing the instrument by a simple push when storing or carrying.
  12. Quality Construction. Utilizes the best ground and polished glass lenses; the best plastics for the purpose regardless of cost; extra thick plastic for permanent rigidity; Reticles of special low-shrinkage plastic, bound in aluminum and stainless steel.
  13. Small, Light and Rugged. A truly pocket instrument, as easily carried as a steel scale.

Case


 
 
 

 

Available Items
Prices subject to change    Prices listed in US dollars for domestic shipments within US, Canada, & Mexico only    Export orders require quotations - click here for a quote     For more info call us 1-800-762-2478 or 954-946-9454.
Item Number Item Prices
MA-10 Pocket Model Comparator with Case and one pair of No. 121 Reticles (no substitute) $48.50
MA-20 Desk Model 6 Power Comparator with 6X Magnifier and four pairs of Reticles, No. 121, 122, 123, 124 (No Substitute) in Compact Case 63.00
Magnifying Comparators and Reticles
MA-121 1/2 in. by .005 in. Div. This is the most popular scale for mechanics, toolmakers, and engineers working with decimal measurements.
MA-122 15 mm by 0.1mm Div. This is the most useful scale for scientists, laboratory technicians, and others using the metric system.
MA-123 Degrees. A full circle protractor with 1° divisions. A generally useful scale.
MA-124 1/2 in by 64ths. Open scale and fine lines permit very accurate measurements for those preferring fractional dimensions.
MA-125 Widths, Decimal inch sizes. Eighteen sizes, .001" to .050". Used in checking the width of drawn or scribed lines, slots, etc. Compare with No. 140.
MA-126 Crossed lines at 90°. For quickly checking the squareness of small layouts and parts.
MA-127 Holes, Fractional Inch sizes. Nine holes ranging from 1/128" to 1/8" in diameter. For checking holes, voids, flaws, etc.
MA-128 Holes, Decimal inch sizes. Eighteen sizes from .001" to .050". For checking holes in spray nozzles, gas jets, ball-point pens, instruments, watches, etc.
MA-129 Counting Grid, 10 x 10mm. Used in many biological sciences, for soil analysis, spray pattern studies, etc.
MA-130 Inch scale for “H-O” Gauge Trains. For the adult train hobbyist making accurate scale models.
MA-131 Printer Points. For printers, lithographers, advertising specialists, etc. in checking height and spacing of small type.
MA-132 Thread Pitch, NM series. For checking threads in the new “miniature” series. See Reticle No. 135 for others.
MA-133 Radii, Fractional inch sizes. From 1/32 in. to 3/8 in. by 1/32 in. steps. See No. 139 for decimal inch sizes.
MA-134 Center Finder. For checking accuracy of centers and keyways of small shafts, layouts, etc.
MA-135 Thread Pitch, NF and NC series. All threads from smallest to 20 THDS/IN in both series. See Reticle No. 132 for pitch of new NM series.
MA-136 .300 in. By .002 in. Div. Similar to No. 121, but with finer divisions for still more accurate measurements. By reading on the lines or between them measurements to .001" are read.
MA-137 Grid. .050" x .050" squares. First made for checking layouts and inspecting of electronic wiring boards (printed circuits).
MA-138 Index Line. First made for use in comparators which are built into special layout and measuring machines.
MA-139 Radii, Decimal inch sizes. A companion to Reticle No. 133. This one has decimal inch sizes while the other has fractional inch sizes.
MA-140 Caliper, Decimal inch sizes. Somewhat similar to Reticle No. 125. as a feeler-gage and this one as a snap gage for miniature parts and dimensions.
MA-141 Circles, inch sizes. Like No. 128 except open circles. Both fractional and decimal inch sizes.
MA-142 Widths, metric sizes. Like No. 125 but with bars varying in width from 0.1mm to 2.0mm by 0.1mm increments.
MA-143 Drill Points. For checking the sharpening of small drills. Shows correct point angle and lip clearance for drilling various materials.
MA-144 Circles, metric sizes. Open circles like No. 141 but metric sizes from 0.1 to 2.0mm dia. by 0.1mm increments.
MA-145 Pistol Bullet Holes. Scoring gage for all N.R.A. listed sizes.
MA-146 Large Circles, Metric. Sizes from 1.0 to 10.0mm by 0.1mm div. See No. 144 for smaller ones.
MA-147 Scales at right angles, .005" Div., preferred to No. 121 for some measurements.
MA-148 Rifle Bullet Holes. Scoring gage for all N.R.A. listed sizes.
MA-149 Azimuth and Bearing Circle. 1.0 degree div. Preferred over No. 123 for map reading.
MA-150 Mag. Tape I.R.I.G. 7-14 track.
MA-151 Mag. Tape I.R.I.G. 16 track digital.
MA-152 Mag. Tape I.R.I.G. 31 track digital.
MA-153 Mag. Tape In-Line 7-14 track.
MA-154 Mag. Tape IBM 7 track.
MA-155 Mag. Tape IBM 9 track.
MA-156 Widths, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 125 and No. 142 but with 12 fractional inch bars from 1/128" to 3/32" by 1/128" divisions.
MA-157 Caliper, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 140 but with 11 fractional inch sizes from 1/128" to 3/32" in 1/128" steps to 5/64" plus 3/32". This is a “snap gage”.
MA-158 Caliper, Metric Sizes. Another “snap gage” like No. 140 and No. 157 with 13 metric sizes from .1mm to 2.0mm. Sizes are .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, .6, .8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0mm.
MA-159 Holes Metric Sizes. Like No. 127 and 128. It has 20 holes from .1mm to 2.0mm by .1mm steps. For checking small metric size holes.
MA-160 Circles, Decimal Inch Sizes. Like No. 140 but includes only decimal inch size holes. 17 holes from .002" to .050" by .001" steps to .010" and by .005" to .050".
MA-161 Circles, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 140 but includes only fractional inch size holes. 12 holes from 1/128" to 1/8" by 1/128" to 1/4" and by 1/64" to 1/8".
MA-162 Crossed Scales, Decimal Inch Sizes. Crossed lines with decimal inch scales. Vertical scale is .4" long and Horizontal scale .5" long. All scales marked to .005" increments.
MA-163 Crossed Scales, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 162 but marked in 1/64" increments. Vertical scale is 3/16" long and horizontal scale 1/2" long.
MA-164 Crossed Scales, Metric Sizes. Crossed lines with metric scales. Vertical scale is 10mm long and horizontal scale is 14mm long. All scales marked to .1mm.
MA-165 Counting Grid, Fractional Inches. Like No. 129 and No. 137 except 1/2" by 3/8" in size with 48 squares 1/16" in size.
MA-166 Fine Grid, Decimal Inches. Like No. 137 but with 2000 squares .01" on a side. Overall size .4" by .5". Used for small particle counting. Accented each .05".
MA-167 Fine Grid, Fractional Inches. Like No. 165 but divided into 768 squares 1/64" on a side. Overall size 3/8" by 1/2" accented each 1/16".
MA-168 Fine Grid, Metric. Like No. 129 but divided into 2500 squares .2mm on a side. Overall size 10mm by 10mm accented each mm.
MA-169 Large Circles, Decimal Inch Sizes. Like No. 146 but with decimal inch sizes. Sizes go from .050" to .400" by .005" increments with full circles each .050" and arcs for intermediate sizes.
MA-170 Large Circles, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 169 but with fractional inch circles from 1/16" to 3/8" by 1/64" increments. Full circles every 1/16" and arcs for intermediate sizes.
MA-171 Radii, Metric Sizes. Like No. 133 and No. 139 but in 20 metric sizes from .5mm to 10.0mm by .5mm increments.
MA-172 Parallel Lines, Decimal Inch Sizes. Parallel lines spaced .01" apart and marked each 1". This is like the counting grids without the horizontal lines. Total of 51 lines covering .5" width.
MA-173 Parallel Lines, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 172 but with lines spaced every 1/64" and marked every 1/8". Total of 33 lines covering 1/2" in width.
MA-174 Parallel Lines, Metric Sizes. Like No. 172 and No. 173 but spaced in metric increments. There are a total of 21 lines spaced .5mm apart for a total width of 10mm.
MA-175 Bore Sight Target. This reticle is the familiar crossed lines, but with a .050" dia. circle in the center to form a “bore sight” or “window” at the intersection of the lines.
MA-176 L & N Strip Chart Scale. For measuring L & N strip chart recorder information. Axial scale is compressed 5% in true measure to accommodate 9.5" scale travel. The “width” scale is true measure.
MA-177 Thread Pitch, Metric Sizes. Like No. 135 but with 13 metric thread pitches from .20mm to 1.00mm. Pitches increase in .5mm increments to .5mm and by .1mm increments to 1.00mm plus .75mm.
MA-178 Protractor. This is another special purpose reticle originally designed for use by crime laboratories for fingerprint classification. Its unique combination of angular and linear information make it useful in other fields.
MA-179 Wire Mesh Screen. The size of the many fine mesh screens used for filters and other purposes. It has sections of 12 sizes of screen. Sizes are 35, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250, 325 and 400 mesh per inch.
MA-180 Runout Indicator. We call this a “Runout Indicator” since it was first used to check drill runout on flat layouts. It consists of two crossed lines at 90° with three concentric circles .050, .200 and .400 inches in diameter.
MA-181 Radian Protractor. The familiar protractor divided into radians instead of degrees. There are 2π radians by .05 radian increments running counter-clockwise.
MA-182 Angles. 13 discrete angles arranged in a circle. Angles shown are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees. Has application where a protractor becomes difficult to read.
MA-183 Wedge Scale, Decimal Inch Sizes. This scale provides a “vertical vernier” in the ratio of 10:1. The space between lines is exactly 1/10 the reading on the horizontal scale. The scale itself is .500" long by .005" increments.
MA-184 Wedge Scale, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 183 but calibrated in fractional inch sizes. The horizontal scale reads 1/2" by 1/64" increments. The vertical height is 1/10 the reading of the horizontal scale.
MA-185 Wedge Scale, Metric Sizes. Like No. 183 and No. 184 but calibrated in metric sizes. The horizontal scale reads 10mm by .1mm increments. The vertical scale is 1/10 the reading of the horizontal scale.
MA-186 Printers Point Rule. This scale is calibrated in printers points. It reads to 36 points by 1/2 point and can be used in place of reticle No. 131 for all measurements in this system.
MA-187 Concentric Circles, Decimal Inch Sizes. Similar in purpose to No. 169 but with fewer circles arranged on a common center. Sizes range from .050" to .400" by .050".
MA-188 Concentric Circles, Fractional Inch Sizes. Like No. 187 but with fractional inch circles 1/16" dia. to 3/8" dia. by 1/16" increments.
MA-189 Concentric circles, Metric. Like No. 187 and No. 188 but with metric circles 1mm dia. to 10mm dia. by 1mm increments.
MA-190 Squareness Check Gauge. This is a set of crossed lines at 90° with parallel lines on each side of each crossed line spaced .005" to form a plus or minus .005" tolerance for squareness checking.
All reticle pairs, one black-line and one white-line of same pattern, in plastic case $12.00
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