Light for turning

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wyone

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Joined
Jul 16, 2014
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15314 Grasslands, Parker, CO 80134
So as I get more set up to turn, I find myself wanting better lighting. I have a small magnetic LED light that I use on the Jet 1014, and it does what I would say is an adequate job. It does not work very well for the larger lathe though. I have decent flourescent lights above ( I am an electrician and have access to lights that we remove) but think I need more of a task light. I like LED lights, but they are pretty pricey and I am concerned about the color rendition being OK for finishing and also for scratch checking.

I am just curious what everyone else uses.
 
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I just ordered a Stay Put Work Light from Craft Supplies. I'll be getting it for Christmas, so I don't know if it works well or not. It has an 18" flexible neck that I thought would work well because I'll be able to move it back and forth between my lathe and my drill press--the two areas where I need better lighting the most.
 
I just got some lights fron Harbor Freight. Looking like desk lamps.
Price was right and thinking with the right bulbs will be workable.
I will let you know once I have them up and running.
 
I have a two tube fluorescent hanging directly over my bigger lathe, plus a draftsman light set in a socket on the cabinet under my lathe... that provides most of the light... my lathe also sets in front of the double doors of my shop... during summer I can swing them open and have natural light... winter time I have to rely on the artificial lights.
 
I have a vision problem that causes me to need fairly bright lighting that shows distinct shadows when I am doing close/intense work.

My lathe has a light fixture on a flexible 'gooseneck' mounted on the headstock. I can position this lamp as required for the work I am doing. I have a second light in a polished aluminum reflector mounted above the tailstock and aimed toward the headstock. I use the same light source in both fixtures, but because the tailstock fixture is further away from the work, the light it throws on the work is less than the light from the headstock fixture - this difference in surface intensity causes sharp shadows wherever the surface of the turning is not smooth.

The light sources I use are 800L CFLs. I find that so-called 'daylight' CFLs 'appear' to be brighter than warmer lamps. Greater apparent source brightness translates into better illumination where the light falls on work surfaces.
 
I have a two tube fluorescent fixture hanging above my lathe area and I have an industrial grade adjustable, lighted magnifier with a 7" 28W circular fluorescent bulb clamped to the side of the workbench that my lathe sits on.

It's an ideal setup for my old eyes - I do all my turning while looking through the lighted magnifier. You can get these magnifying lights with LEDs, but I prefer fluorescent lighting.
 
One thing I did, in addition to having task lighting at each work area in the shop is to locate a two tube/48 inch fluorescent fixture above each lathe. What helps a lot is that I hang these fixtures dropped down from the ceiling to get as close to the work as I can without them being in the way. This throws more light right where it is needed. So along with the task lighting, I have no excuses for shoddy work!
 
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