Any 'unbreakable' inspection mirrors?

[charbar]

I probably go through 10 inspection mirrors a year because I always break the glass somehow. I started buying the cheap ones out of the three dollar bargain bin at the local hardware store, but the last two have had the glass fall right out of the holder and break on me They come with a telescoping magnet along with the mirror, so I have a shitload of magnets now, but Im down to one mirror again.

Are there any mirrors that are made out of something other than glass that stand a better chance of getting tossed around or dropped? Something that you can actually see what you're looking at in them too?

Im talking about the 2" round inspection mirrors with the telescoping handle.

Any thoughts?

 

[LeonardY]

You can get stainless steel mirrors.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Or there are plastic ones.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[kbeefy]

Beat me too it.... I've seen stainless ones.

 

[KnurledNut]

I probably go through 10 inspection mirrors a year because I always break the glass somehow. I started buying the cheap ones out of the three dollar bargain bin at the local hardware store, but the last two have had the glass fall right out of the holder and break on me They come with a telescoping magnet along with the mirror, so I have a shitload of magnets now, but Im down to one mirror again.

Are there any mirrors that are made out of something other than glass that stand a better chance of getting tossed around or dropped? Something that you can actually see what you're looking at in them too?

Im talking about the 2" round inspection mirrors with the telescoping handle.

Any thoughts?

I started a similar thread a while back and went with a polished Klenk flame inspection mirror.
It has held up well, but its size can limit access to tight areas:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/inspection-mirror-recommendations.492203/#post-9406991

Another informative thread that promptly followed the one above:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...n-mirror-is-that-a-thing.493274/#post-9440379

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Ullman will see you replacement mirror faces for 2/3 the cost of the new complete unit.

For larger areas, take the plastic mirror off a broken side view mirror assembly. Works great after the lube tech rips it off on a pole. I use a while mirror section of a 1500 truck, but you could cut down the mirror section I'd guess.

 

[RPH]

Depending where one is poking the mirror should determine material. I had to use mine in electrical cabinets to inspect transformer connections. So plastic it was, especially when trying to see an arc event in a dark cabinet.
Plus their cheap throwaways.

 

[charbar]

Are the plastic ones 'shiny' enough that you can actually tell what you are looking at or is the image somewhat distorted/unclear? I can't see worth a **** the way it is so I don't need anything making it worse

 

[cvairwerks]

Buy some acrylic mirror stock and cut and stick on when needed.

We used to have 6"x6" sections that we used for under ejection seat inspections. Once they got scratched up too much, we tossed them in the trash and got another one from the tool crib.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Are the plastic ones 'shiny' enough that you can actually tell what you are looking at or is the image somewhat distorted/unclear? I can't see worth a **** the way it is so I don't need anything making it worse

If it's from a DOT side view mirror it's actually really good with little/no distortion. Mine's a passenger side.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I got tired of breaking the common plastic ones and so I went to a dental supply house and bought a good set. One handle and I think a dozen heads for like $25 but that has been 20+ years ago. They are also front surface mirrors so they don't distort like most mirrors do. I used them for looking at braze joints on copper tubing. They will scratch the mirror off and that is why they come with so many heads.