I am looking for a lamp to use specifically at the bench. Maybe something I could clamp on to the side or in a dog hole. Also looking for something that is not too warm to be close to. Perhaps an LED or fluorescent? I have looked around the net quite extensively and just can’t seem to find exactly what I want.
Any suggestions?
Josh
Replies
Chabber,
Suggestions???...Yep, design your own. I too have been trying to come up with a good store bought solution for some time without much luck. A few months ago my wife came home with a clip-on light that has a 1' flex neck and a smallish hood. I decided I'd try to come up with something for the bench using the clip-on light. The bulb has been replaced with one of those long lasting (cool) bulbs and I made a heavy base with a dovetailed tapered column rising from the base about 2'. It's not bad. But tonight you gave me a better idea....forget the base, use the bench dog-hole...maybe introduce a knuckle for more flexibility....hmmmm...good luck
Thanks for the ideas guys. I think this week I will go pick up a cheap fluorescent light and create some sort of base for it that works with the dog holes. Thanks for the pics, Al. I believe that I will be doing something very similar. I have decent general lighting in the shop, but due to high ceilings that lighting is not good enough for precision work at the bench.Josh
Josh, I just use the standard cheap architect light fixture also. I have 1/2" holes drilled wherever I need to set one up, but while I like the florescent bulbs for lots of things, I don't use them for the bench. I like the smallest little flood or spot bulbs that I can find. When you are trying to do the finest work that you can, you need the shadows from placing the light at just the right angle. The last thing I want for this is a soft diffused light source. Almost all woods look best under the warm light of a tungsten source also.
Thanks for the reply, Keith. I agree with you that fluorescent is not the "best" solution, but I really want to stay away from something that gets too warm. In the interim, I used the magnetic base task light from my bandsaw. The light was great, but man I was breaking a sweat! :) I am already battling the 100 degree that is banging on my shop door. Although, you got me thinking that maybe a small size (low watts) flood with a very directed light would work well and not be too warm. I will give it a shot. Thanks.Josh
You might try using a compact fluorescent bulb in a conventional fixture. The shadow characteristics are very much like that of an ordinary "soft white" incandescent bulb, but with only 1/4 the heat generation. Color rendition is pretty good, although still a bit cooler than tungsten.
-Steve
chabber,
I use a draftsmans lamp. It is one 'o them thangs that has articulating arms, a round flourescent lamp bulb and perhaps the best part. In the center is a magnifying glass that really helps when sharpening irons.
Google draftsman lamp, you'll find a ton of them.
Mine has a round tenon that mounts into a round mortised clamp that can be placed anywhere on the bench. It can also be mounted in the dogholes with an expansion adapter of copper tubing/pipe.
Very flexible, cool to the touch and again, a magnifying glass as I'm more sight challenged now.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 8/26/2007 7:03 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Edited 8/26/2007 7:06 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Edited 8/26/2007 7:07 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Edited 8/26/2007 7:11 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Is it a truism that we make quality products for others but just throw something together for our shop? Anyway, that is what I did for work area lights.
My workbench has 3/4" dog holes on the surface and around the apron. In the attached pictures the yellow light on the wooden stand will go into any dog hole around the edge of the bench (an additional dowel which is currently on the shop floor somewhere usually goes into the apron dog hole for stability).
The second light is a cheap drafting type lamp (or student lamp) that fits into a small piece of 2x4. The 2x4 has a 3/4" dowel on the bottom that goes into any dog hole and has a hole on the top to fit the peg at the end of the lamp.
The 2nd picture is a close-up of the light holders.
In the third picture I have attached pieces of 2x4 at my WoodRat, Router tbl, drill press, etc so that the drafting lamps can go there also.
I did something very similar to Al (and there I thought I was clever). My bench has a bunch of 3/4" dog holes. I bought a draftsman lamp with a florescent light and magnifying glass. I wish the light had more wattage, but the magnifying glass is a nice feature (great for saw sharpening). I drilled a hole in a 3/4" dowl on the drill press, put in some gorilla glue, and stuck the lamp base in the hole. That left me with a 3/4" base for my lamp which I can put in any of the numerous dog holes on my bench. It is very convenient.
I note that a couple of folks are using magnifier lights. An alternative, which I use, is the head band style of magnifier that I purchased from Lee Valley. The magnifier is indispensable for removing slivers or inspecting chisel edges. And, it lets me use any style of lamp. My current preference for bulbs is the day light compact floresent (sp?) bulbs which are quite bright.
Just me so take it for what it is worth. Free!
I use a low voltage track light with spots. Position where you want/need to. Not exactally inexpensive but 'works for me!'
Josh
I've got one of these on my bench, not cheap but will last and give good service. KDM
http://www.dazor.com/illuminated-magnifier-lamp.html
For task lighting I have 3/ 300W quartz halogen fixtures through out my shop. Two fixed( 1 above the table saw and 1 above the router table) and the third on a portable tripod and move that one between my lathe and work bench/assembly table. Granted they do give off some heat but I like the volume of light and colour rendition.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled