What kind of light do you use in pre-grading?

tennesseebanker · January 13, 2006 7:00AM

I was wondering when I was sorting through my case break last night, what kind of light PSA uses to grade thier cards? Does anyone know? is brighter better ? Or is there a certain kind of light that works better for spotting condition?

envoy98 · January 13, 2006 7:21AM

Halogen.

I use a halogen desk lamp with a flexible/bendable mast that I picked up at target for $10. A regular desk light with a 60watt incandescent doesn't work. Amazing how much difference there is with a halogen.

lawnmowerman · January 13, 2006 7:31AM

I use my window. In my opinion, you cant beat sunlight.

Matt

zef204 · January 13, 2006 8:20AM

<< I use my window. In my opinion, you cant beat sunlight.

Matt >>

I agree but the sun hasn't been out here in Chicago in nearly a month.

tennesseebanker · January 13, 2006 8:27AM

Is that what the graders at PSA use? Halogen?

lawnmowerman · January 13, 2006 8:44AM

<< 

<< >>

I agree but the sun hasn't been out here in Chicago in nearly a month. >>

Then maybe you could use this:

Matt

jmbkb4 · January 13, 2006 8:59AM

I use a normal light bulb. Works really well for me. Have missed one [back] surface wrinkle with approx. 500 cards submitted in the last 6 months.

Griffins · January 13, 2006 10:07AM

I believe they use halogen desklamps from Ikea, at least that is what they looked like.
I've found a lighted loupe and hand held blacklight invaluable as well, especially at shows. The black light helps to detect recoloring, usefull for issues such as T3 Turkey Reds and '71 Topps. Brian Daniels (Marz on this board) sells them for under $30. with a portion going to a kids charity. It has already saved me money.

lostdart58 · January 13, 2006 11:52AM

.....a hundred watt bulb.......and since I am over forty I need to be wearing my reading glasses.....

tennesseebanker · January 13, 2006 11:59AM

I am currently using a 75 watt bulb in a floor lamp with a 10x loupe. I may try the sunlight tommorrow because i have a large bay window in my kitchen behind the table where the sunlight streams in. Sitting at the kitchen table where there is lots of room and using sunlight, I may also have a cold beverage somewhere on the table.

Knuckles · January 13, 2006 12:22PM

Stone193 · January 13, 2006 1:59PM

Stone193 · January 13, 2006 2:00PM

I have an Ott Light which also color corrects so you can really see the true hue in a card.

mike

onlychild · January 13, 2006 2:00PM

<< I believe they use halogen desklamps from Ikea, at least that is what they looked like. >>

Yep you are right! As you and I have seen, graders use a simple 50+ watt halogen light...nothing less and a 10x loupe. A blacklight is used after the halogen but not all the time, usually on higher-end cards or when a card is suspected of being doctored, recolored reglossed etc. Sunlight, regular bulbs or any other light will not reveal the flaws or problems like a halogen.

Go to Target, Walmart, Ikea or whatever...it will cost you no more than $20. It is the most important tool you can use above everything else to inspect cards.

You can agrue, debate or disagree but this is a fact, since I have graded cards myself.

lawnmowerman · January 13, 2006 2:22PM

<< 

<< >>

You can agrue, debate or disagree but this is a fact, since I have graded cards myself. >>

Curious, for what company?

Matt

What kind of light do you use in pre-grading?

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