Lathe light

[alamocdc]

Okay, I had a few requests for how I have a light setup on my Delta midi so here goes. It uses a low watt bulb, and has a flexible "shaft" (for lack of a better word). I have one just like it set up on my DP.

I have no idea where to find lamps like this. I was fortunate enough to pick these two up at an estate auction. Just $5 for a box full of stuff that included three lamps, a power strip and a chatter tool, among others.

 

[wdcav1952]

Great idea, Billy. I really like the way it lights up all the wood shavings! []

 

[PenWorks]

I picked up some pretty cheap lamps with magnetic bases & a goose neck at Harbour Frieght, I bet they were less than 10 bucks.
I use one on the headstock on my mini and one on the tail stock on my Nova, they work great and very solid.

 

[jjenk02]

Originally posted by PenWorks
<br />I picked up some pretty cheap lamps with magnetic bases & a goose neck at Harbour Frieght, I bet they were less than 10 bucks.
I use one on the headstock on my mini and one on the tail stock on my Nova, they work great and very solid.

I have the same lamp and they work great,[8D]

 

[johncrane]

WHAT Chuck is that Bill[?]

 

[TBone]

I found an old clamp-on desk lamp. Base was a piece of plastic with hole drilled in it and a clamp. Base was lost so I drilled a hole in a scrap of wood and dropped it in and clamped it to the table. Lamp extends any where I need it.

 

[bjackman]

JC,
It's the Beall collet chuck.

 

[alamocdc]

Originally posted by wdcav1952
<br />Great idea, Billy. I really like the way it lights up all the wood shavings! []

Yep, it let's me see them better for clean up. You shoulda seen it last night! I had PR ribbons everywhere (in fact, you can still see a few I missed).

Bill is right, John, it's a Beall... and I can't believe it took me so long to order one. I love it and use it several times a week.

 

[johncrane]

Thanks Bill l would'nt mind one'would sure make life easier[]

 

[TellicoTurning]

I had one of those old desk lamp attached to my Jet mini... kept getting in the way, so I removed it and put a spot light on the rafter overhead.. shines down on the lathe.. only problem, it does get to be warm sometimes..

 

[woodwish]

I have always hated the shadows caused by incadescent bulbs, and the heat. My big lather has 4 -4' flourescents on the bottom of a shelf about 7' from the floor. This provides plenty of light, little heat, and no shadows to speak of.

 

[samuel07]

With the eye sight going south I was thinking of getting one of the desk lamps with the magnifiying lense. Anyone ever try one of those?
Right now I just use a cheap desk lamp with a 60W. incandescent.

 

[turned_for_good]

Samuel, I dont think that the lamp/magnifier would work if you plan on turning using the magnifying glass. There would be a lot of distortion when using it like that. I have two of them and I love them.

 

[Geo in Winnipeg]

I have one of those lamps and use the magnifying part to look for scratches etc. Like turned_for_good said there's too much distortion to use it while turning.

 

[dozer]

I just use a 48" florecent 2 tube light fixture from Lowes. They sell them for $7.97 doesn't include the bulbs, Also Home Depot has them for the same price.

 

[Chuck B]

Originally posted by dozer
<br />I just use a 48" florecent 2 tube light fixture from Lowes. They sell them for $7.97 doesn't include the bulbs, Also Home Depot has them for the same price.

I use exactly the same thing. Works great lots of light.

 

[TellicoTurning]

Samuel,
I agree with the posts above, there is some distortion looking through the magnifier... plus your are right over the light bulb and gets hot... I had trouble with depth perception too.. I moved the lamp and use the overhead spot right onto my lathe... I keep a glass from another lamp that fell apart to look for scratches and fit to the bushings ...