Lighting

[loberg]

I am having trouble getting the correct lighting for seeing inside boxes and bowls. My articulating arm light keeps moving. Other than shop lights, how do you light up your lathes?

 

[GLENN ROBERTS]

Loberg, one idea is to use overhead (on articulated arm) low voltage 'down light' 50watt lights with a very narrow beam angle. (you can source them) That way you get a very directional light that can sit away from your head etc, so you don't get the heat. Mount them away from your lathe so vibration doesn't kill them. Similar to a dentist set up.

The light output is generally not bad (similar to day light and possibly gallery lighting) so your colour will be good also.

Suppliment this/these with overal workshop lighting.

Hope this helps.

 

[MichaelMouse]

General lighting is by clip floods at my lathe. If I want to look inside of things I use a portable light. In another life I'm used to biting on a penlight working a patient, but the headband lamps joggers use are much better. If you're really deep into it, try these. http://www.streamlight-flashlights.com/led-stylus-reach.html

 

[rsser]

For narrow openings maybe something like this ?

 

[loberg]

Has anyone tried magnetic lights right on the bed? I'm going to try the swing arm style of light if I can get it mounted in the right position. How about mounting a board under the bed to drill the suitable size hole?

 

[rsser]

Use one that sticks to the box air filter that hangs from the ceiling above and a bit offside of the lathe. It has a longish flexible arm with a halogen head that shines diagonally across the bed to where the cutting happens. Allows enough clearance around the workpiece to manipulate tools without fouling.

 

[laymarcrafts]

Ioberg I made some lights, using Low Voltage Lamps, from Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs and Michrophone Goosenecks two are fixed at the Lathe and a third, with a Magnectic Base, is on hand if the other two do not get the Light where I need it.

Info here http://:www.laymar-crafts.co.uk/tip40.htm

Richard

 

[Odie]

What are you all going to do when the law says you can only buy the environmentally safe lamps and bulbs?????

Me, I'm stocking up on 100w incandescent bulbs, but I'll probably not have enough for the next 50 years......when I'm 110 years old!

ooc

 

[Odie]

For narrow openings maybe something like this ?

That looks just like the ticket rsser......

Is there anything like that available that runs on 110v ?

ooc

 

[Matt Owen]

I use a magnetic base flex light that I bought from Rockler.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21263&filter=flex light

I attach it to the banjo and bend it to whatever position I need it. It works good for me.

Matt

 

[hockenbery]

We use Moffet lights on a Gary Sanders light stand.
This system is a bit pricey maybe $150 for the stand which bolts to the lathe. It has a couple of pivot points and two handy plugs. every thing has tension adjustments to let you move it but keep minor vibration from moving it.
This arrangement gives you space to swing the tool handle from one side of the lathe to the other as you hollow a bowl.

Alternatively: A cheap floor lamp the kind with 3 sort of cone shaped reflectors works well for bowl the top one aimed down on the bowl the lower one aimed inside the opening.
a Moffet light with the magnetic base stuck on the lathe works fine but it has to be moved out of the way a lot.

For looking inside hollow forms I've been using the led lights with flex shaft.
They are quite bright and the batteries seem to last forever. The one I'm using was sold as a reading light. Engin inspection lights do the trick too and they are available in LEDS. I just think the LED is a brighter light maybe its an optical illusion.

Happy Turning,
Al

 

[Paul Bennett]

The best lights I have found on Ebay they're called loading dock lights. They are a heavy duty swing arm type. I bought mine from Ebay for around $25 at auction.
You can move them to any point you need light. I like them a lot.
I just checked and Ebay has a nice unit called "VERSA LIGHT® LOADING DOCK LIGHTS" take a look.

Many places carry them Grainger has them also. I also just found some on Craigs list for $25