Modern electronics are so compact that seeing the individual components so you can work on them can be a challenge and those aren’t the only things with miniaturized components either. Many other items from jewelry to specialized craft items have components which are hard to see with the naked eye so a magnifying glass is often essential when working with them.Of course, holding a magnifying glass in your hand while you are trying to work severely limits what you can do. Jewelers solved this problem long ago with the use of an eye loupe; while functional, an eye loupe is still somewhat hard to use because of its small size. Putting the magnifier on a stand or adjustable arm is the obvious solution. These have been in use for a variety of applications, especially in manufacturing industries, for a number of years. Having a combination magnifier and lamp together makes it much easier to see small objects that are being worked on and the built-in light eliminates the problem of shadowing the light with your body.There are several styles of these available on the market, but the three main styles are:Desk Mounted – A short, flexible neck on a weighted base.Arm Mounted – An articulated arm, with the magnifier and lamp mounted to the end. The arm anchors to the desk or workbench edge with a clamp.Floor Mounted – The flexible neck is attached to a stand on a weighted base. This allows it to be moved around and used where needed.In most cases, the arm mounted models are the best magnifying lights in 2022 , providing a larger magnifier and longer reach. Desk mounted magnifiers must be placed right at the workpiece; moving them requires that there be a clear area on the workbench where the magnifier needs to go.Older models of these magnifiers all used fluorescent bulbs, usually 22 watt “ring” bulbs but many of the newer options have replaced the fluorescent bulbs with LEDs, providing longer life and lower energy costs. Since LED provides light without heat, they’re also safer to work with, even safer than fluorescents which are typically quite cool.When looking at a magnifying lamp, there are several things you should consider:What do you need to use it for? This will affect the style you choose.How big a magnifier do you need? Generally speaking, the larger the magnifier, the easier it is to use.How much light do you need? For most applications, the more light the better.How much magnification do you need? Five diopter, 2.25x magnification, is the most common for arm mounted magnifiers, while desktop units will usually have less. The greater the magnification, the easier it might be to see what you’re working on and at the same time, it cuts down the viewing angle. If you need to see a lot of things, such as several parts and how they go together, a higher magnification might not be helpful.

Lathes are one of those woodworking tools that not every woodworker needs. They are a specialty tool, used for turning wood spindles for furniture, table legs, and wood bowls. While I know that some wood turners (the term for people who use a lathe) can make some amazing things on their lathes, it’s just not the tool for all of us. On the other hand, there are things which you can do on a lathe, which you can’t do on any other type of tool. I don’t care how hard you try; you’re not going to be very successful making a turned wood table leg on a table saw, although in theory it should be possible. Even so, to make it possible would require holding the part in a spindle; much like you would in a lathe. A woodworking lathe depends a lot on the skill of the individual wood turner, as they are essentially carving the spindle, with the lathe only rotating the work piece to allow the cutting action to happen evenly all around the circumference of it. Cutting is accomplished with a series of hand-held chisels, with only a tool rest to reduce the amount of strain on the woodworker’s hands. Turning wood is hard on the chisels, especially if you are turning dense hardwoods. Good quality chisels are needed, so that they will hold an edge. Even so, you'll probably find that you need to sharpen them frequently. Having a bench grinder on hand to do this makes using a wood lathe much more enjoyable.If you need additional information to help you in your search for a wood lathe, be sure to check out out buyer's guide provided below. We've compiled the best wood lathes in 2022.

As temperatures begin to soar during the summer months, you rely on your air conditioner to provide relief from the heat. There are several different types of air conditioning systems to choose from, including window, portable, central, and ductless mini-split options. The following list of the best air conditioners in 2022 will provide all the information you'll need to make an informed home cooling system investment as the majority of our selections are smaller models as opposed to larger, centralized units. We've also provided an air conditioner buyer’s guide below to aid you in your search.

After a meal, most people dread having to clean up and do the dishes. Dishwashers allow you to skip most of the manual labor, with modern technology allowing for even more convenience. These appliances offer power cleaning capabilities, with numerous features, stylish designs, and efficient performance for energy savings. Increasing use of sensors in modern dishwashers allow for an even less hands-on experience, with this technology handling more and more of the wash cycle and water temperature selection for you. Many current dishwashers no longer even require pre-rinsing, making doing the dishes as simple as placing the dirty ones in the dishwasher and pressing start. For more info on picking out a dishwasher for your kitchen, check out our list of the best dishwashers in 2022 and the buyer's guide provided below.

If there’s any type of carpentry work where a nailer can help increase productivity, it’s in framing. While a skilled carpenter can drive a 16 penny nail in a few quick whacks, that’s nothing compared to pulling a trigger and having the nail sink in all the way. Even using a 32 ounce framing hammer or rigging axe, the best you can hope for is two whacks; one to set it and one to sink it. Put that nail gun on bump mode and you can really go to town. While framing doesn’t require the finesses that finish carpentry does, it does require a lot of nailing. Whereas a finish nailer helps make a nice, clean finish job with small nail holes, a framing nailer isn’t at all about beauty…it’s about productivity. There are several other considerations you should look at before picking a framing nailer. For more detail on what to look for check out our framing nailer buyer's guide we’ve provided below. We've compiled the best framing nailers in 2021.

Face primer is a product that can help your skin look not only flawless but polished and professional. In effect, it creates a canvas on your skin where you can apply your favorite cosmetics, such as foundation and blush, with ease. The best face primer in 2022 also helps minimize pores and fine lines and some may even correct color, reduce oil or dryness, or may be specifically made for problem skin or acne. No matter what kind of face primer you choose, keep in mind that it is an important part of your makeup; just as much as your foundation and moisturizer. Let's dive into our favorite picks.

Shave gel is a refreshing way to get a good close shave. You will find some formulas have a great scent that will also add a little something extra to the mundane task of shaving. These help get the job done quickly with less nicks and scrapes. Gel is a great tool to help you see where you have already shaved so you are sure not to miss a spot. Everyone will find a product to meet their skin care needs. Some are scent free or extra hydrating, but all are designed with one goal in mind; to help you get the most out of your shave. Check out our list of the best shaving gels in 2022.

When ear wax becomes impacted in the ears, it can cause a number of problems ranging from difficulty hearing to a ringing and uncomfortable pressure in the ear canal. When ear wax doesn’t naturally come out on its own, most people reach for a cotton swab for relief. However, this can cause the ear wax to push even further into the canal and become difficult to extract. If this happens to you, you can use an in-home ear wax remover kit to loosen and remove the built-up wax from the ears. We’ve listed our recommendations for 2022's finest ear wax removers available over the counter. Avoid the inconvenience and cost of a trip to the doctor by using any of the products listed below.

A good night's sleep is important for health and wellness, and a white noise machine can really help to create an atmosphere where you can sleep peacefully without jarring outside noises waking you up. White noise machines can also be used to calm and soothe your baby at bedtime, or just to create a healthy soundscape to help you escape from noisy neighbors, traffic sounds, or any other unwanted sound intrusions. The best white noise machines in 2022 offer a sound that is soothing and can mask both household and outdoor sounds, and do not have an easily detectable sonic pattern. Here are five of the most effective and easy-to-use white noise machines on the market today.

Blackout curtains are a great solution to your indoor decorating needs. They may come in handy in areas of hot summers as they tend to keep the heat out. They also darken the room significantly and may be the perfect choice for those who need sleep during the day. You should look for curtains that not only fit your window but successfully block out all light. How well they drape and look in your room is also another important consideration. With this in mind, I’ve come up with a list of the best blackout curtains in 2022.