Am looking at lights/lamps to use with my full size lathe. Any recommendations?
Thanks
Am looking at lights/lamps to use with my full size lathe. Any recommendations?
Thanks
Woodturnerswonders.com (Ken Rizza) has several lamps which combine bright LED lights and magnet-switches (the magnet used to secure lamp to lathe is "switchable," off when you need to move it, on when you have it in the right place.) Good bendable goose-neck, to put the light where it's needed. Fair price, good service. I have had a "Beacon" model for several years.
Great feedback guys; was looking at these. You confirmed it for me. Thanks
I have a couple of the 9watt magnetic machine lights from the big A, and am happy with them, if you are looking for a lower cost option. Rather similar in appearance....
I too have a supernova and really like it but at times depending what I'm doing it can actually be too bright and I use a shop modified Ikea LED desk lamp. So you probably need more than one light.
check out the sewing machine lights on Amazon. Inexpensive and light is great. Get the longer one
All great input and each light recommended is great in the right application. Thanks for the responses.
I have a handful of various sewing machine type lights, several from Amazon and several from Rizza. One thing to keep in mind is the light output.
In this photo I aimed two lights at the wall behind my sharping station. At the far left is one of Rizza's Supernova lights. Towards the right is one of the brighter sewing machine type lights, sticking straight up just in front of the electrical outlet. You can see the brightness difference.
Lights_SN_sewing.jpg
In my experience the length of the light and the number of LEDs does not correspond directly to the brightness. For example, I have one of Rizza's earlier Galaxy lamps (sewing machine type) and one of his newer Galaxys with more LEDs. My light meter shows the earlier one, shorter and with fewer LEDs, is actually brighter than the longer one.
Note that the sewing machine lights do spread the light more, making the output at one point look even dimmer than the lumen value (the total output of a lighting element). The light from the Supernova is more focused with less spread. John Lucas made a slip-on diffuser for his Supernova to spread the light a little more. I use multiple lamps at the lathe so I like the undiffused light better there.
Another thing to keep in mind is with lamps the color temperature of the LEDs. For example, the light from Rizza's Supernova is perfect in my opinion - I use one for highlights when I shoot photos and the color temperature is not detectably different from that of my two photo bulbs. However, at a symposium my quick side comparison of the Supernova with his newer Quasar ("Our best lamp ever") shows a distinct color difference - the light from the Quasar had a distinct yellowish cast on a piece of white paper. If the color doesn't bother you, the Quasar does have on advantages - the switch. The switch on the Supernova is on the side and it's easy to accidentally turn it off while grabbing the lamp to reposition it. The switch on the Quasar is on the end and unlikely to be touched accidentally. Fortunately, accidentally turning off the Supernova is no more than an insignificant irritation.
JKJ
I love the light from Ken however sometimes the magnet slips when I move the light. I have to steady the magnet and then move the light. Anyone else have this issue? I should add the magnet is attached to a Robust lathe which is powder coated. Would that make a difference?