Best Lite for Turning

I use track lights with a variety of different bulbs for shop areas- over the lathe there are 2 tracks with floods and spots for overall light. General area has tracks with screw-base flourescents gives a softer non-focused light, and saves a few $$$ over regular bulbs. I also have a clamp-on with a daylight flood for spot illumination directed at the turning.

Costs a little more than the 4' tubes, but directs the light where I need/want it, and is easy to swap rack cans to different shop areas for when I'm doing other work.

Hi Keith

Skylight, yes that's the best, ( in the day time only ). I have and I think it's best to have, fluorescence plus incandescent lamps/bulbs.

I have several (5) 4 foot fluorescence fixtures, couple halogen spotlights and a double jointed desk light that can be (and is) moved around for the best position. You have never enough light it seems, my best friend who is a retired industrial electrician, scolded me for not buying High Output (HO) fluorescent lights, he said they give a lot more light and the lamps last a lot longer, they apparently don't give you the strobing effect either ( I think they are also more expensive ) maybe next time I will get one or two.

You should keep the light that you can get from your window also in mind when placing your lathe, if you are able to have the window light from the tailstock end it should be very useful and not interfere with your vision I would think.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Keith Young wrote:

Keith, I use 2 of the 'Stay-put work lamps. They have magnetic bases, 24 inch bendable arms, and can take 100 watt bulbs. I put one on the headstock, and one on the banjo. They will get light anywhere I need it. They are available from both Craft Supplies, and Packard at about $60. I tried the halogen lights, and the heat made me nervous. The basic elbow lamp is too flimsy, and shouldn't have more than a 60 watt bulb. robo hippy

Leo Van Der Loo wrote:

Keith, I use two of the magnetic base with flexable 24 inch arm Stay Put work lamps. One goes on the headstock, and the other on the banjo. Get 'rough duty' or shock resistant bulbs. These will take 100 watt bulbs. Craft Supplies and Packard both carry these lamps. They don't mount horizontally,only vertically. They aren't cheap, but get the light anywhere I want. I tried the halogen lights, but didn't like all of the heat they put out. The basic elbow light is too flimsy, and isn't safe with any more than 60 watt bulbs. robo hippy

VRad> > > What would most of you consider has the best source light for illuminating a

Keith, I use two of the magnetic base with flexable 24 inch arm Stay Put work lamps. One goes on the headstock, and the other on the banjo. Get 'rough duty' or shock resistant bulbs. These will take 100 watt bulbs. Craft Supplies and Packard both carry these lamps. They don't mount horizontally,only vertically. They aren't cheap, but get the light anywhere I want. I tried the halogen lights, but didn't like all of the heat they put out. The basic elbow light is too flimsy, and isn't safe with any more than 60 watt bulbs. robo hippy

VRad> > > What would most of you consider has the best source light for illuminating a

Keith, I use 2 of the "Stay Put Work Lamps" I believe both Packard and Craft supplies carry them. They have magnetic bases, and a 24 inch bendable arm. One goes on the headstock, and the other on the banjo. With the long arms, I can get light anywhere I need. They also will take 100 watt bulbs. Be sure to use rough duty or shock resistant bulbs. The regular bulbs last about 2 weeks. I tried the halogen lights, but didn't like the heat they put off. The regular elbow lamps are too flimsy, and aren't safe for more than 60 watt bulbs. robo hippy

With the cost of skylights, I imagine you'll want to pass in favor of some fluorescent general lighting to simulate skylights. Unless you heat the place in the cool weather, you'll want the more expensive types that won't be as affected by the cold. If you intend to turn in summer, pass on the big halogens, too. My task lights are the desk lamp articulated variety, mounted off the lathe for vibration isolation. I have one at the head and one at the tail, thereby covering outside and in. Don't rely on the reflectors to give you much help, use the floods with built-in reflectors and you'll get better light.

I found that an inexpensive incandescent drafting lamp, mounted on the wall, adjusts exactly where light is needed. I have overhead fluorescent lighting for general lighting of the shop, but task lighting from the drafting lamps is very good. I also have a lamp near my chop saw, drill press, and router table. The lamps have enough swing that they can service two machines that are close to each other.

When cleaning up tonight with the dust collector hose I recalled a discovery I made a couple summers back:

Seems that a 4" quick disconnect dust hose fitting fits perfectly onto the back of the Moffat task lights! Place the light close to the turning to better see your sanding progress and collect the dust at the same time. I never noticed anything bad happening with the light and it might have even been a benefit as it kept it much cooler and cleaner.

Keith

I bought a set of high intensity flexible light fixtures from Gary Sanders in TX.

This set up is completely adjustable and has its own outlet built in. The lights can go up, down, left right and also be flexed and moved to exactly where you need them. I think the website is

or something like that - I know he calls the company wood lathe accessories. Check it out you can not get much better than these lights

Ray Sandusky Brentwood, TN

Here is the link for the light system

Ray

Those are the same lights I was talking about. Thought my posts didn't get through, and kept trying. I'll learn this computer thing eventually robo hippy