Light for Lathe?

[alex grams]

I've noticed i need some more direct light when I am turning than the ambient light in the shop.

I want something I can adjust and put over the work like this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31uJ3u73M1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

However, i would like something with a decent swing arm length, and also something with a bolt that I could move to the workbench for when I do carving.

Suggestions? Models you use?

The best phrase I could find to search for this style is 'task lamp'.

[Alan Trout]

I prefer the Moffat brand of lights. The flex arms really stay put. They work great. Here is a link to their website but you can get them at Woodcraft, Craft Supplies, Packard, as well as several other retailers.

http://www.moffattproducts.com/

Alan

[Tim Rinehart]

I'm with Alan...though I'd like to visit an Ikea for their 10 buck halogen spots that alot of folks have been raving about.

Besides auction sites, best deal on the moffatt I've found is thru WT Tool, also called coolshade in their site.

[Prashun Patel]

I'm a fan of these aluminum utility lights. They clip onto any shelf, swivel 360 deg, are easily positioned, and are so cheap, you can get 4 for the price of one of those nerd lamps below. Any Walmart or BORG will have them for $5-10/pc. Don't get the 'deluxe' model, just the basic one that clamps on.

[Jeff Hamilton Jr.]

I'm a fan of these aluminum utility lights. They clip onto any shelf, swivel 360 deg, are easily positioned, and are so cheap, you can get 4 for the price of one of those nerd lamps below. Any Walmart or BORG will have them for $5-10/pc. Don't get the 'deluxe' model, just the basic one that clamps on. I'm with Prashun. I've got the expensive black articulable-arm light sold by Lee Valley and Woodcraft; then I've got three of the cheap aluminum one's. They work great; the only thing is you need to make some sort of arm or holder yourself if you want them to move into different positions. Easy to do.On my lathe, its clipped to the tail stock.

[Bernie Weishapl]

+1 for Prashun's idea.

[Jerry Marcantel]

I just purchased 2 JANSJO desk lights that Ikea sells for 10 dollars. I actually got them through Amazon because the nearest Ikea is in Phoenix, and that would be about a $65 fuel bill, so I paid under $40 for 2. I had an old speaker magnet that I CA'd to the base, and can now turn without any obstructions because of the small diameter bulb housing. Unfortunately, it only has one LED. Yesterday I got a Rockler's November catalogue and lo and behold, on page 4, they are offering a 18 LED magnifying light kit plus a 14 LED spotlight for $60.. It works on either batteries or an AC adapter which is included..... If I had seen that before I got the others, I definately would have gotten the one Rockler is offering...... Jerry (in Tucson)

[Jon McElwain]

Alex, I've got a pair of the Moffatt lights on a Gary Sanders stand (http://www.oneway.ca/lathes/sanders_light_stand.htm). The system works really well, but the price tag is not so attractive. I think the model you posted would work great so long as you could mount it to that fancy new bench of yours, right behind the lathe. Do a couple of mock-ups to see where the light mount will be most useful. I tend to pull the lights right down close to the work at times so that I can really see what is going on. For the light you show, you probably will want the base mount to be somewhere between bed elevation and spindle elevation and 18-24" behind the lathe. I want to say John Keeton has a light really similar to the one you posted.

[Jim Burr]

I'm a fan of these aluminum utility lights. They clip onto any shelf, swivel 360 deg, are easily positioned, and are so cheap, you can get 4 for the price of one of those nerd lamps below. Any Walmart or BORG will have them for $5-10/pc. Don't get the 'deluxe' model, just the basic one that clamps on.

I use two of these everyday. Hard to beat.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

+3 for Prashun. And I thought I was the only cheapskate here... No offense intended. I have maybe 4 of them. A friend had a light that looks like that Moffatt light. It's very nice. His has a good strong magnet. Sticks anywhere, and stays put. I also tried a magnetic base light from W/C. Did not work as well as I expected. Magnet is a little weak. Slides around if it's not on a flat (horizontal) surface.

[alex grams]

I like the idea of the cheaper lights, but for carving i will need to position them around the piece at different heights/elevations that would be difficult to achieve without some sort of arm mechanism.

[Jamie Donaldson]

Those Ikea LED lights are not bright enough for good turning illumination at the lathe, and they have whimpy goosenecks! The articulated type desk lamps like Alex mentioned are a great match, and the cheap clamp-ons don't work well unless you have a ready way to mount them where they can be maneuvered and fastened into a solid fixed position. Even then they're awfully big, unless you buy a smaller style reflector hood, but the desk lamps come in a wide range of sizes, prices, and colors!

[John Spitters]

I've picked up a number of the desk task lights at the re-store / thrift store places, and use them throughout my shop. I've paid as little as $2.00 for them. Maybe they don't all match in style and color but who cares it's for the shop. Also if you are into turning lamps you can find all the hardware for them by buying used lamps from these same places "cheap"

John

[Thomas Hotchkin]

Alex
I went to Goodwill picked up a goose neck lamp for $4.00 and added a Harbor Freight magnet for $5.00, use it on my Band Saw works great. Looking for another goose neck lamp for my lathe now. Tom

[Reed Gray]

I also like the Moffat lamps. The other elbow lamps tend to droop, and not stay where you put them due to vibrations on the lathe. I also use these for a floor lamp, and their bulbs. The natural light spectrum really makes it easier to see.

http://www.bluemaxlighting.com/

r (http://www.bluemaxlighting.com/)obo hippy

[Greg Just]

I bought an LED with a gooseneck and found it is not bright enough for the lathe so it is now on my bandsaw. I have a swingarm lamp with a magnetic base hanging from my overhead air cleaner. Not great, but it works.

[Eric Skell]

I agree with those who like the Moffat lights. These lights stay put even when roughing out large bowls and they don't get hot at all (heat with dust and chips I worry about fires). I called them when we were considering updating some task lighting at work. They sent me 3 free samples for evaluation. Two of them wound up in my home shop. :D

[Chris Colman]

Harbor freight, among others, have utility lights with magnetic bases. You can move em around wherever you need them at the time.

http://www.harborfreight.com/75-watt-magnetic-base-light-90766.html

[Al Stramiello]

I have a dentist's light mounted on the wall above my lathe. I came across an old retired dentist who had a lot of his equipment stored away. He got a kick out of hearing what I was going to use it for. It allows me to aim the light wherever I may need it. Plus, ever since I started using it . . . I've had 50% fewer cavities. Who would have thought??

[Noah Barfield]

Harbor freight, among others, have utility lights with magnetic bases. You can move em around wherever you need them at the time.

http://www.harborfreight.com/75-watt-magnetic-base-light-90766.html

I have two of these for my lathe. The magnets are very strong and I can position the lights where I need them (I have one attached to the metal face of the electric panel that's just above my lathe. I attach the other to the door of the freezer that sits opposite to the lathe).

[Reed Gray]

The Harbor Freight lights are okay, but have a short neck, and I found the switches went bad very quickly. The Moffat lamps do generate some heat if you use an incandescent light bulb (get 'rough duty' bulbs). The florescent type are a lot cooler. I need to try the dental lights. I would think that they have a great bulb spectrum for visibility.

robo hippy

[cal thelen]

I bought this one at harbor freight a couple months ago. was on sale for 28 bucks i am real happy with it especially with the magnifier
http://www.harborfreight.com/fluorescent-magnifying-lamp-66384.html

[Michael Menzli]

How bout those LED lamps that you can have on your head..I see em dirt cheap all the time at HF and the light is right there where ever you are looking

edit ... here ya go... http://www.harborfreight.com/five-led-magnetic-head-lamp-93549.html

[Jamie Donaldson]

Cal- this type of magnifier/light combo is great for mounting at the grinder, so you can really see what you're doing.

[cal thelen]

I mounted mine on a homeade stand so i can move it where ever i need it. seems the older i get the more i need more light and magnification just about everywhere

[Jamie Donaldson]

Cal Thelen, do you know Rich Thelen in EauClaire?

[Ron Bontz]

I just picked up a light to be used with my lathe. It is made by Skil. It can be mounted to a desk or a wall via two different holders. I think it cost only 20.00. Best of luck.

[John King]

In my opinion, the best and most complete light system is at http://www.oneway.ca/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=15&Itemid=2. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it. - John