do you use a glass that has to be held or one that has a stand to find marking on a tool ? what is a good one?   bob w.

I use a 5X magnifier and a jewelers loupe 10X.
Use one of those light/magnifiers on coins but someone has taken over it to do fingernails:-(

I use whatever is at hand. Usually a loupe for real close work, but I also use the front element lens from an old Vivitar camera lens

these were about 20-25$ years ago, the base is the weak point, the rest seems to be holding up.
for electronic work have a better  round fluorescent with the heavy base, it has to be from the 1960's.

I have one just like Oldgoaly's on the bench in the basement workshop and I have a couple of handheld magnifiers and a couple of loupes too.

I have a loupe with two lenses and an older magnifier on a goose neck mounted to a cast iron  base (probably from the '50s).

     I have a bunch of kinds. I almost sorta collect them.

   Get you a Bosch and Lomb, Hastings Triplet,  7X, folding magnifier.
Fits in your pocket, easy to use.

Go ahead and get yourself about 50 more magnifiers in every size and shape, from headsets and goggles to big desk magnifiers on a stand!  The more the merrier. Magnifiers are cool! 
  But wait n see if you don't hunt down that little B&L when the chips are on the table.

  More magnification is not as easy to use. Less loses detail. 7X is just right, and a Hastings is the best there is.
yours Scott

PS The American Optical model 60, is obsolete now.
Once upon a time it was a research grade microscope. But then newer models came out. So it became a college scope, etc etc.
But they are genuine real live microscopes you can actually have. Not a toy (which never did work) but a genuiiiiine working microscope.
And they are right at the edge of free when you find them!!
I got one for 10 bucks one time
Look for them, AO model 60

   
 

At my age & eye sight, I need all types at each work station, 3 Large table size W/light, 6 handheld, 3 double goggle type, & reading glasses..