suggestions for bench lighting

[m. reaver]

I know this has been covered before, but I'm not having any luck with the search option.
My current setup rules out a ballast / overhead mount.  Does anyone have a suggestion or preference regarding bench mounted or floor stand lamps?

Thanks for the help.
mark

[James]

Slightly pricey, but excellent light can be had with an Ott light. I use a floorstand model and it works very well.

[David Rase]

Hugh Tonjes posted some pictures of his shop a while back.  He built some simple mounts on his shop walls for articulating lights.  The neat thing about brackets on the wall is that they don't get in the way on your bench and by mounting them on the wall you can elevats them above your head and project.  You can also have more mounts that lights and move them around if you have several benches.
Dave

[davec2]

I have used these on my machine tools and work benches for many years.  They come with a stout flex arm (18" or 24") and a nifty QD type base connector, so they can quickly be moved around.  They come with two attach base fittings that can be mounted in several ways (through bolt, machine screws, wood screws, etc.  They are made by "Moffat"

http://www.moffattproducts.com/100-Watt-Quick-Coupler-Base-Task-Light-P74.aspx

However, I usually purchase them from McMaster  (part #  1606K193)

http://www.mcmaster.com/#adjustable-arm-lights/=k8o4rh

Not the cheapest, but then, I have never had one go bad on me and some are 30 years old.

[Little Brother]

I have a 4' fluorescent fixture over my bench, but that doesn't cut it so I just got a couple of the cheap clip on trouble lights.  I can clamp them to the floor joists above my head and point them anywhere I need.  Easy to move around.  They do get a little warm to work under during the summer when you're getting deep with the rasp, but its tolerable.

Ben

[Chris Treichel]

At JoAnn Fabrics they sell a "natural light" floor lamp used by quilters.  Supposed to better for doing detail work.  Don't suppose they had gunwork in mind... Looks like it might be the same one James mentioned. http://www.joann.com/ottlite-high-definition-3-in-1-craft-lamp/xprd612937/

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

I have an Ott light mounted right over my workspace, I don't find it bright enough. So I have added another daylight florescent and also a 60 watt incandescent. With all those bulbs it is OK but I would still like it brighter.

The Ott light is only 40 watts, and it's not cheap, even replacement bulbs run about $30. It's great where daylight affects colors like fly tying but I don't see any great advantage to rifle building. I use it only cause it's on my workbench.

[flintriflesmith]

If you plan on doing any relief carving or engraving, you need to keep the ability to produce low angle or "raking" light to help you see the tiny flaws and individual chisel cuts. I have found that no florecent bulb can produce this kind of directional lighting. New designs of bulbs are coming out all the time but recommend florecent lighting only a a distance to provide general shop illumination. For all close work, from polishing to carving, I recommend articulated "drafting lamps" with spot reflector bulbs---60 to 75 watt. As you get older you will find that there is no substitute for more candlepower!
Gary

[Mark Elliott]

I use two Electix 100w halogen lights on my rifle making bench and are very happy with them.

http://catalog.lightingspecialties.com/viewitems/electrix/electrix-task-tool-lighting?

[Jim Kibler]

Yes, a light that is intense and very movable is key.  I'm with those who have suggested the articulating arm variety.  I have one that is more durable and taller than the standard office supply variety.  It wasn't cheap.  Think I bought it from McMaster Carr.  You can't overestimate the value in moving light around.  I teach classes at times and I find beginners sometimes don't initially grasp this importance.  In carving classes I will walk around and students will sometimes ask me how they're doing.  Oftentimes the first thing I have to do is move their light to see the work well, when it really needs to be positioned like that while they are carving.  Simple but means a lot...

[T*O*F]

It seems that a lot of LED bulbs are coming on the market.  They produce a brilliant white light with very low energy consumption.  While they are a bit pricey, they last forever.  Has anyone tried them yet?

[Mark Elliott]

I have only used the LEDs in my flashlights and nightlights.   I have LED flashlights all over.   That is what I pull out when I need extra light.   They are focused beams with a lens built into the LED.   They are about as directional as you can get without using a laser.   I haven't  tried one of the big lamp bulb type LED lights.   I have compact fluorescents  or halogen everywhere and haven't had much of a need for anything else.

[Eric Smith]

McMaster-Carr Product #1650K12.
Screw-In Bulb Adjustable-Arm Lights

A quality product at a reasonable price.

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

It seems that a lot of LED bulbs are coming on the market.  They produce a brilliant white light with very low energy consumption.  While they are a bit pricey, they last forever.  Has anyone tried them yet?

I put 3-60 watt LED bulbs in a floor lamp this last fall as a test. Typically I was burning out 1 incandescent bulb in that lamp a month. So far they have been in there for 4 months with no failures. I don't plan on buying more till 2014, this is a test and these bulbs run about $20 Each . I have some LED night lights, and they are great. My Christmas Tree is also LED lit, 3rd year with that and no failures. So far the big drawback I see to LED's is the HIGH cost and limited selection of wattages.