What gooseneck lamp do you like?

[Mark Gibney]

I want a gooseneck lamp for my bandsaw. I'd prefer LED for the low temperature and small head size.

I've picked up some randomly over the years (at IKEA for instance) and they give out very little light.

Have any of you found one you like, that provides good illumination?

thanks, Mark

[John K Jordan]

I want a gooseneck lamp for my bandsaw. I'd prefer LED for the low temperature and small head size.

I've picked up some randomly over the years (at IKEA for instance) and they give out very little light.

Have any of you found one you like, that provides good illumination?

thanks, Mark

I use three lights at my bandsaw, one on the left, one on the right, and a long gooseneck around the left to nearly over my left shoulder, lighting up the front. I've tried a lot and my favorite is the Super Nova sold by Ken Rizza at Woodturners Wonders. Besides the bandsaw I have one at each wood lathe, sharpening station, and metal lathe. They have a strong magnetic base. Not cheap. https://woodturnerswonders.com/collections/lamps

JKJ

[Peter Kuhlman]

I have tried several and have not found any that had strong enough magnets to stick to my Delta drill press side. The vibration and rougher casting causes trouble and the light just slides downward. My Jet bandsaw also has rougher casting on the riser arm so nothing sticks to that well either. A real pain sticking a magnet light on the doors. Not sure what the answer is.

At $160 the SuperNova should be good! I need 4 and that is a lot of money for lighting. Will have to chew on that!

Suppose it would be possible to drill the casting on a tool and mount a steel plate that the magnet would stick to better - ideally with a bottom lip to prevent the light from walking off.

[Bill Dufour]

ideally with a bottom lip to prevent the light from walking off.[/QUOTE]

maybe some angle iron or a bead of caulk

Bill

[Jacques Gagnon]

Although not perfect (it uses 3 AA batteries instead of AC power) I have been using a lamp sold by LeeValley Tools (item 15J77.01). It is mounted on a strong magnet base - no problems with either vertical or horizontal mounting. I have used rechargeable batteries to cut down on waste. On the plus side, you can easily move it anywhere you require additional lighting.

[Mark Gibney]

I love the Super Nova lights John recommends, but I'm going to try the Lee Valley light Jacques suggests. The free shipping and much lower cost works for me. Thanks all.

[Doug Hepler]

Mark,

Check out the LeeValley corded gooseneck Utility Lamp 17J30.40. I have two of them and plan to get another. You supply your own bulb so you can make it as bright as you like (within reason). It's also fairly easy to move the lamp from base to base.

Doug

[Jon Grider]

No gooseneck, but very cheap are the blue 27 led lights at Harbor Freight. I super glue an additional rare earth magnet to it and it serves me fine. $3.99 , $2.99 on sale or sometimes free with a purchase. Not as nice or adjustable like the lamps mentioned above, but a low cost option to spot lighting.

[John K Jordan]

Suppose it would be possible to drill the casting on a tool and mount a steel plate that the magnet would stick to better - ideally with a bottom lip to prevent the light from walking off.

I do exactly that to mount lights with magnetic bases to things like wooden walls. I think I used some 3/16" mild steel plate. Should work fine on a rough casting. I can't imaging the magnet on the Super Nova light sliding anywhere. The magnetic bases are the type with a rotating switch and much larger than similar bases commonly used with dial indicators in the machine shop - this one is very powerful. I can't budge the one stuck vertically to my bandsaw door and that steel is not very thick. I stuck one to a rough casting on one of my lathes and while there was no vibration I could not budge it when switched on.

Also, I can imagine it would be easy to make a bracket for a gooseneck lamp that fastens to anything with screws. One of the lamps on my bandsaw is an old Moffatt, similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Moffatt-Incandescent-Halogen-Magnet-Length/dp/B0089DVW3Y
It came with a both a magnetic base and tough bracket I mounted with two screws.

JKJ

[Bruce Wrenn]

I use the corded Delta, with a "daylight" CFL in it.

[Grant Wilkinson]

I use this one from Lee Valley

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=71189&cat=3,43349&ap=1

The magnet is VERY strong. My only beef is that it is something of a battery pig. But is throws good light and you can focus it from a wide beam to pencil beam.

[John K Jordan]

...The magnet is VERY strong. My only beef is that it is something of a battery pig.

I simply can't imagine using a battery powered light on something stationary in the shop. A flashlight to carry around, yes.

JKJ

[Art Moore]

I just bought a TROND Halo 9W-C light. Liked it so much I went back and bought a second one. $25.99 at Amazon, and Prime eligible.

[Pete Staehling]

I want a gooseneck lamp for my bandsaw. I'd prefer LED for the low temperature and small head size.

I've picked up some randomly over the years (at IKEA for instance) and they give out very little light.

Have any of you found one you like, that provides good illumination?

thanks, Mark
I like the cheap little Ikea one that I have on my saw. Yes it isn't all that much light, but by being close it doesn't need to be much light. Just adjust the gooseneck so the light is close to the work. YMMV, but that has worked well for me.

[Charles Lent]

Lowes sells a stainless steel gooseneck LED light that produces a very bright white even light. They come in two versions, one with a heavy weighted base and the other with a spring clamp. The goosenecks are about 15" long. I now have 8 of the spring clamp version in my wood shop and two of the weighted base version in my booth materials for lighting the display tables. These lights from Lowes are only about $20 and do a great job. I modified two of the spring clamp version to attach them to a DIY bracket on my DeWalt 788 scroll saw, one on each side of the upper arm of the saw. I can position the light heads on both sides of the blade pointed down at the cutting point and completely eliminate the blade shadows. They can run all day and the heads will only raise in temperature to about 20 degrees above ambient, so no more head and face burns that I used to get from my previous lamps. I have one of these lamps on each drill press, one on the band saw, and several more that I move around the shop to supply light wherever needed.

If you plan on removing the clamp to mount the lamp another way, get the spring clamp version. The weighted base version has a different end on the gooseneck that will make it more difficult to attach. Power for these lamps comes from a "wall wort" type power supply in the plug and there is an in-line switch located about 18" from the lamp end of the power cord in the spring clamp version. The weighted base version has a switch in the base. You have to see one of these lamps lit in the store to believe how bright they are.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-13-25-in-Adjustable-Stainless-Steel-LED-Clip-On-Clip-Desk-Lamp-with-Metal-Shade/1000003084

Charley

[John K Jordan]

I just bought a TROND Halo 9W-C light. Liked it so much I went back and bought a second one. $25.99 at Amazon, and Prime eligible.

I see that one gets good reviews too. I ordered one to try. Can't have too many lamps. Thanks for the recommendation.

JKJ

[Jamie Buxton]

You don't have to buy a whole new gooseneck lamp, and may be better off not doing it. The best rig I have is on my bandsaw. There's an an older magnetic-base gooseneck which was designed for incandescent lamps. I think it was sold by Delta. I put a "60-watt equivalent" LED flood lamp in it. Makes lots of light.

[Jon Grider]

Why? If they work why not. For $3.99 even with replacing the batteries on the HF light a couple of times per year it leaves money for other purchases like lumber or tools. To each their own however.
I simply can't imagine using a battery powered light on something stationary in the shop. A flashlight to carry around, yes.

JKJ

[John K Jordan]

You don't have to buy a whole new gooseneck lamp, and may be better off not doing it. The best rig I have is on my bandsaw. There's an an older magnetic-base gooseneck which was designed for incandescent lamps. I think it was sold by Delta. I put a "60-watt equivalent" LED flood lamp in it. Makes lots of light.

That's a great point. Of the dozen or so "conventional" lamps in my shop, none have the intended incandescent bulbs. I use a mix of LED and CFL with a few halogen. I've been known to come home from the big box store with a bag of bulbs I've never seen before just to try. I've found some of the smaller spot bulbs are perfect in cheap swing-arm lamps, especially at the lathe.

(Some shop visitors ask for sun glasses.)

JKJ

[Jordan Lane]

I have one of these http://www.moffattproducts.com/Default.aspx ...best ever for my needs....come in halogen or LED 100 watts..little pricey but tough and trouble free...i have the 24" one

[Mark Gibney]

In the end I ordered two lights from Super Nova, the $73 Beacon magnetic base, and the $20 Galaxy multi-purpose.

I'll check out that low priced Lowes that Charles Lent recommends, and see how I like it compared to the $20 Galaxy. Seems there are a bunch of good options out there.

Jamie suggested getting an old gooseneck lamp and putting in a modern LED bulb - this was my original intention, but if I ever managed to find a listing on Ebay or C'list for one of these they were very pricey. They have that classic look I like though.

[Bruce Page]

I have the Moffatt that John linked to with a 100w equivalent LED bulb installed. Zero complaints with it, it works great.

[mark kosse]

I collect old articulating and gooseneck lamps but in honestly I use magnetic led sewing machine lights mostly on my saws. The 20 led versions stick and work well and are about 12.00 on ebay.

[Dave Richards]

I have a few task lights from Sunnex that I like very much. I've got both LED and quartz halogen versions. They aren't cheap but they work very well, supply a lot of light and are dependable.

[Bob Michaels]

I have the Moffatt that John linked to with a 100w equivalent LED bulb installed. Zero complaints with it, it works great.
I agree. They work pretty well for me. I have 2 of them on the lathe and one each on band saw, chop saw, router table, drill press, grinder, sharpening station, belt/disk sander and oscillating spindle sander. These 74 year old eyes need all the help they can get!!! I use 100 watt incandescent currently but moving toward all LED.

[lowell holmes]

I have the same light that Grant has. I am completely satisfied with it.

[Edwin Santos]

About a year ago I bought this gooseneck plug in LED light from Amazon for use on my bandsaw. It gives me plenty of light, good intensity, and I found the magnetic base to be strong enough, but it could be made stronger by gluing a stronger rare earth magnet to the existing one with epoxy. For $12.00 it met my needs better than I expected.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014STNJYW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Steve Demuth]

Apologies in advance for an answer some will see as nonresponsive, but after struggling with various gooseneck lamps that never stayed aimed or which had too short of neck to get the light where I needed it, I bought a good quality LED headlamp. Best non-tool purchase I ever made for my shop. Now I always have light where I need it - and the headlamp comes in handy for the odd lambing problem in a dark corner of the barn, attic exploration, and the like.

[Rollie Meyers]

I like Moffatt lights.

http://www.moffattproducts.com/


I have this light on my Delta 14" bandsaw with a LED PAR lamp, very pleased, had the light longer then the saw as has bought it on clearance at a now defunct farm store, 20 years ago.

http://www.moffattproducts.com/Delta-Band-Saw-Lamp-25-858-P199.aspx

[John K Jordan]

Apologies in advance for an answer some will see as nonresponsive, but after struggling with various gooseneck lamps that never stayed aimed or which had too short of neck to get the light where I needed it, I bought a good quality LED headlamp. Best non-tool purchase I ever made for my shop. Now I always have light where I need it - and the headlamp comes in handy for the odd lambing problem in a dark corner of the barn, attic exploration, and the like.

Steve, I agree, a quality head lamp is a must-have! I use one often around the farm, under vehicles, crawling in attic spaces, etc. I have one that also has a red lamp which is nice for preserving the night vision. When I need a really bright light I use this one - light weight, AA battery: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UHZXAYG I keep it handy now - I have a llama that is about three weeks overdue. Llamas are in general daytime birthers, but you never know...

One thing I noticed decades ago while using one exploring caves which actually relates to woodworking in a way - a light source from near the eyes made walking on a rough surface difficult since there were no shadows! I was stumbling on rocks and things with the headlamp while a hand-held light clearly showed surface unevenness. For woodworking, especially when working at the lathe, a light from the side makes it easier far easier for me to see scratches, defects, and on the lathe, makes it easier to evaluate the compound curves as they are formed and see if there is a flat where a curve should be. Scratches, in particular, are sometimes invisible with light from a headlamp, a light from behind the shoulder, or diffuse lighting from far overhead. That's the biggest reason I like to use multiple adjustable task lights at the lathe and a strong side light when sanding. This is not important for the bandsaw, of course!

JKJ

[Joel Gelman]

Several older threads on this … some recent lathe specific … but I am looking for general purpose task, mag, gooseneck

Anyone know if the Nova is still the best option ? It is not cheap but better to cry once

[Joel Gelman]

To add, I have a super nova as linked at the beginning of the thread and like it, but wondering if something better came along since I purchased it as I want lighting elsewhere without relocating

Thsnks

[Patty Hann]

I bought this 4 years ago.... it's stuck onto the side of my little craftsman drill press. I think it works great.
Still using it. I bought 2 more to use with my Foredom rotory tool. It is very bright.
(At the time I guess I paid about $12 for them) There are several sellers of them on ebay.
Pretty sure they are all getting them from the same factory.

LED Gooseneck (https://www.ebay.com/itm/364582686039?hash=item54e2d24d57:g:bxIAAOSwVnBlVhd i&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABIMISZBKUFqnECFSJmIpyAwNCxhXXb xNLExbg5UrODI8TS8ltsa0l0%2FEVPZ0CR%2F6pgLUypBuiSh0 rw1ln9z5tFItDnori0mMQD56aJCX48rrBWCzImH9mX2%2BsOtJ G5fR%2Fg929CuRON8bsJj3k2eun82%2FfEaWXtAfACBrMzztYh l9cSKHf0%2B4XyHD9gvFaA%2B9zYJzSWBO7I8EFJ7jX1kcQalT wjy%2FqW7LsyQmFQvwKF1CqHVYKQU3mokLsgRzJGriHyekmSBS 0i%2F6vMoZAHwnyNUVOgYg178T1C71qOAHGpG3rnuTVeR3Ibdm 39v2Dr4I8NvRZ46blduUHvmUB5sD8uPOjeT%2Bk2oeVO87iEnQ Ie3k2uBqdeat0RYazJHML7oi7xA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-a05ZuYYw)

[Frederick Skelly]

I use this one from Lee Valley and like it a lot. But it’s $40.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/workshop/lighting/71189-magnetic-mount-led-work-light?item=15J7701

[Steven O Smith]

Not goosenecks...
I really like the several different lights I've gotten from Maxxeon. This one I have on three machines:
https://maxxeon.com/product/workstar-810-811-812-cyclops/
The magnet is plenty strong to stay put. They are around $35.
This Braun light is available from Harbor Freight and is also pretty good:
https://www.harborfreight.com/750-lumen-rechargeable-ultra-compact-magnetic-led-floodlight-yellow-59587.html
The only minor issue: I was taking a picture with my phone and got close to the light, the image had fine rolling lines across it, interference. The Maxxeon does not do this. Not a big deal.

Steve

[Derek Cohen]

To add, I have a super nova as linked at the beginning of the thread and like it, but wondering if something better came along since I purchased it as I want lighting elsewhere without relocating

Thsnks

Joel, I use the Super Nova on my lathe. However, for the work bench, I have recently purchased the Nighthawk 3-in-1 kit, and this is fantastic!

https://nighthawkco.com.au/products/nighthawk-3-in-1-multi-led-work-light?variant=41552255779012&currency=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiAv8SsBhC7ARIsALIkVT3FOBpGKf-fhkS49PvvznIxHQkiVEAvmDxKRgI30PGc1LZuEDpHIB8aAr4tE ALw_wcB

It has a magnetic base, and to use this on a wooden top, simply sit it on a scraper blade.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Cameron Wood]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J4ZKGF4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1



(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J4ZKGF4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1)This headlamp has been good for a year & a half. The one I have is a slightly different brand but prob same factory.

https://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Headlight-Adjustable/dp/B099RZFMGC/ref=psdc_17384526011_t3_B08JB1JVV9?th=1

[Joel Gelman]

Thanks Derek and others. I can see that Nighthawk being handy for many applications. It seems different from the Super Nova in that it is rechargeable where the Super Nova plugs in and never needs to be charged (an advantage if the light is to stay put) and also the Super Nova has a magnetic attachment.

For me, the Super Nova is for my drill press. I want another light for my band saw and another for where I will be setting up my "new" discontinued Baldor 1800 RPM 6 inch grinder I won at an auction. The lighting will not be great.

Seems like it is hard to have too much light and easy to want more. For the super nova,

https://woodturnerswonders.com/products/super-nova-led-machine-lamp-120-kg-pull-magnetic-base

It says 870 lumens. For the Nighthawk , 380 lumens with the slim bar.

For the other products that are gooseneck and magnetic base, like the Super Nova that retails for $159.95, wow, what a price difference $17, $40 etc.

I would love to save the money but only if the others offer similar illumination, similar ability of rate magnetic base to maintain contact without slipping, similar durability, and similar ability of the gooseneck to hold the position. I would be curious if anyone with experience with these other options and the Super Nova can compare.

Thanks.

[Bill Dufour]

(At the time I guess I paid about $12 for them) There are several sellers of them on ebay.
Pretty sure they are all getting them from the same factory.

LED Gooseneck (https://www.ebay.com/itm/364582686039?hash=item54e2d24d57:g:bxIAAOSwVnBlVhd i&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABIMISZBKUFqnECFSJmIpyAwNCxhXXb xNLExbg5UrODI8TS8ltsa0l0%2FEVPZ0CR%2F6pgLUypBuiSh0 rw1ln9z5tFItDnori0mMQD56aJCX48rrBWCzImH9mX2%2BsOtJ G5fR%2Fg929CuRON8bsJj3k2eun82%2FfEaWXtAfACBrMzztYh l9cSKHf0%2B4XyHD9gvFaA%2B9zYJzSWBO7I8EFJ7jX1kcQalT wjy%2FqW7LsyQmFQvwKF1CqHVYKQU3mokLsgRzJGriHyekmSBS 0i%2F6vMoZAHwnyNUVOgYg178T1C71qOAHGpG3rnuTVeR3Ibdm 39v2Dr4I8NvRZ46blduUHvmUB5sD8uPOjeT%2Bk2oeVO87iEnQ Ie3k2uBqdeat0RYazJHML7oi7xA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-a05ZuYYw)[/QUOTE]

I got several from Aliexpress for about $5.00 each. delivered. Watch the led count, more are brighter.
Bill D.
this u-shaped one might be good on a drill press, bandsaw or jigsaw.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804760211528.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=708-803-3821&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&albagn=888888&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&albcp=19108228023&albag=&trgt=&crea=en3256804760211528&netw=x&device=c&albpg=&albpd=en3256804760211528&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgPmI1bC7gwMVE87CBB1zkwF8EAQYByAB EgIGnfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&aff_fcid=fc5218f389a24939824240d474aae97e-1704084301642-00711-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=fc5218f389a24939824240d474aae97e-1704084301642-00711-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=b90794f85f004995a3e91caa853b0321&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Joel

You did not say - or I did not read - that the light was for your drill press. I would have recommended something quite different and infinitely cheaper (although the Nighthawk kit cost me $79 AUD, which is about $40 USD).

For a drill press and a bandsaw, what I use are rechargeable bicycle lights (no wires). I epoxied a rare earth magnet to the body, and they stay in position.

https://i.postimg.cc/fbjcV0Gn/bike-light1a.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/3wHjrZbF/bike-light2a.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek