Lighting A Lathe

**dabbler** · 3rd March 2013, 01:12 PM

I use a halogen reading lamp originally intended for a desk. The base is it's transformer so it's a bit clunky if I ever re-arrange things. It has two brightness settings but is almost always on high. It's okay 90% of the time esp. when turning and finishing. It isn't as useful for inspecting close up though. I find the problem with it is the distance from light source to workpiece changes as you move it around, because the arms work as levers. A flexible gooseneck would work better.

I recently picked up a rechargeable "Batwing" light from Bunnies for $27. It sits on a hook on the wall behind the lathe. Has 3 modes - led torch, one panel (bout 18 LEDs) and 2 panel (36 LED). I can use it to find the odd dropped item or hold it over or near the workpiece and by changing the angle it's easier to see fine tooling and sanding marks. I original planned to mount it on a flexible arm, but have found it useful as-is. Only problem is you can't use it when charging (takes about 3 hours).

**Paul39** · 4th March 2013, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by wheelinround

I saw a lamp on a Jet min at a demo a few years ago and asked if we could do a quick experiment no-one else was around but the fellows turning. The fellow turned on the lathe and then as I instructed removed the lamp from the headstock the lathe increased in RPM. In replacing it it slowed back down.

Over time the magnet will magnetize the metal around the bearings and the bearings attract steel which will wear the bearing quicker. Bit like leaving a screw driver on a magnet to magnetize it.

.

That is most interesting! I have a big bar magnet on top of my flat headstock to keep my can of Tung oil from vibrating off.

I will try removing the magnet while running to see if it makes a difference.

As to lighting, I have a two tube 4 foot florescent fixture 3 feet above and a bit toward me over the lathe. It makes enough light so that I can take hand held photos with a "film speed" of 800. Exposure is 1/30 to 1/80 sec.

I have read all the discussion about turning and florescent lights. I don't have a problem.

The compact florescents have an electronic ballast so you don't get the 60 Hz flicker of the old long ones. LEDs are wonderful and the price is coming down. I have seen some 40 watt equivalents for around $8.00 US. There are some mushroom shaped ones that would work well for looking into bowls and vessels.

My Hegner with the square tube bed shakes and vibrates, so I hang everything from overhead that I don't want on the floor in the chips.

Over the Woodfast I have a recycled over the medicine cabinet strip with 4 60 watt compact florescents. Lots of light. Locally the CFLs are; 6 100 watt equivalent for $3.00, or 8 60 watt for the same.

**smiife** · 4th March 2013, 07:58 PM

hi craig,
not sure if you have thought about this kind of lighting
my partner is in to aquariums and this light is brilliant
for working on your lathe,i pinched it from her fish tank

cheers smiife

**Morbius** · 4th March 2013, 08:11 PM

Smiife,

That is bright! I could just about get a suntan just looking at the picture

I never considered aquarium lights!

Craig

Originally Posted by smiife

hi craig,
not sure if you have thought about this kind of lighting
my partner is in to aquariums and this light is brilliant
for working on your lathe,i pinched it from her fish tank

cheers smiife

**bassmansimon** · 4th March 2013, 09:19 PM

I have a jet midi 1220 lathe which came with a flexible light attached to it. I'm sure you could get similar to bench mount, but the reason I mention it is that the instructions required that you use an energy saving fluoro (I guess LED would work fine too). Imagine that this would be due to heat. After turning some things with the light at weird angles, I have noticed not only fine timber dust on and around the globe, but also the wafer thin timber shavings. I think that with a 100w incandescent globe, there might be some fire risks.

**Paul39** · 5th March 2013, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by smiife

hi craig,
not sure if you have thought about this kind of lighting
my partner is in to aquariums and this light is brilliant
for working on your lathe,i pinched it from her fish tank

cheers smiife

Is the light LED or Florescent? I looked for aquarium lights and found both along with incandescent.

Aquarium Lighting, Fish Tank Lights & Aquarium Hoods | PetSmart

Nice looking shed. Orderly, clean. Unlike mine.

**smiife** · 5th March 2013, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Paul39

Is the light LED or Florescent? I looked for aquarium lights and found both along with incandescent.

Aquarium Lighting, Fish Tank Lights & Aquarium Hoods | PetSmart

Nice looking shed. Orderly, clean. Unlike mine.

hi paul,
the lights are called T5fluro tubes they are various watts and you can also
get blue ones called moonlight,the shed was reorganized
over the xmas break and that is why it looks tidy,it did not stay like that for long

thanks anyway,
cheers smiife

**Trent The Thief** · 5th March 2013, 10:43 PM

I have two lathes that are both lighted by regular shop lighting (4' daylight florescent tube) and by a dual spotlight fixture over the bed. I use daylight CFL spotlight bulbs (90W equiv.) adjusted to shine onto the workpiece.

I find that the daylight bulbs are like opening the roof to the sun ;-)

The next replacement bulbs will be LEDs in the daylight range. I just put a couple into recessed fixtures in my kitchen. They're even brighter than the CFLs were! They were more expensive, but they should outlast me by a few years.

**Paul39** · 6th March 2013, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by smiife

hi paul,
the lights are called T5fluro tubes they are various watts

The T5s are the most efficient long tubes made at the moment. They require a ballast specifically for the for the T5. T8 tubes are more efficient than the standard T12s and can be used in T12 fixtures.

The newer electronic ballasts are more efficient than the old magnetic ballasts and have the advantage of not having the 60 Hz flicker. I think they run at about 400 Hz.

A little miscellaneous useless information I have acquired along the way.

**Syd Sellers** · 6th March 2013, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by smiife

hi craig,
not sure if you have thought about this kind of lighting
my partner is in to aquariums and this light is brilliant
for working on your lathe,i pinched it from her fish tank

cheers smiife

Hi, why wouldn't you turn your lathe around and use some of the natural light you get??? It seems you have your back to that huge window....

Just a thought...

**Paul39** · 6th March 2013, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Syd Sellers

Hi, why wouldn't you turn your lathe around and use some of the natural light you get??? It seems you have your back to that huge window....

Just a thought...

Maybe he wants to shield the window from flying bowl blanks with his body.

**robo hippy** · 6th March 2013, 07:45 AM

This type of lamp set up is pretty popular here in the US. Not sure if they are available over there.

Moffatt Products, Inc. Flexible Arms and Task Lighting

Never cared for the elbow lamps as they never seem to stay put. I do have one floor lamp as well. Never liked the halogen lamps, just too hot, and found them smoking on more than one occasion. Haven't tried the LED lights. What I do have and love are Blue Max bulbs, and another similar one are OTT lamps. If you know any hand quilters, or needle point sewers, they all know about this type of lamp/bulb. Basically they are multi spectrum, and some are called therapy lamps for those of us who live in grey rainy areas. Their spectrum is closer to natural light. Ever take a sanded piece out into day light and see all sorts of scratches and other things that you couldn't see inside? These bulbs solve a lot of that problem, probably as much or more than getting prescription eye glasses. If you are on good terms with your dentist, they have some really nifty elbow lamps and multi spectrum bulbs as well.

robo hippy

**artme** · 6th March 2013, 08:45 AM

This has turned into a very interesting thread! I have certainly learnt a few things.

The use of daylight spectrum fluros is probably the next best thing to a good LED set up.

The reason I originally suggested LED was because of two factors; the cooler temperature
and the lack of flickering that comes with fluro. The flickering can, in some case , induce a seizure.

**RETIRED** · 6th March 2013, 03:53 PM

The flickering can, in some case , induce a seizure.

Bugger, I thought it was work that did it.

**smiife** · 6th March 2013, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Syd Sellers

Hi, why wouldn't you turn your lathe around and use some of the natural light you get??? It seems you have your back to that huge window....

Just a thought...

you probably can not see from the photo but there are
2 large roller doors at the front of the shed,also we get a lot of visitors
and i like to see who is around and no one can creep up behind me

and scare the !#%** out of me

also a few things do come of the lathe occasionally as you all know

so i think a window in front of the lathe !!!!!!!!!!!!!! nah! not a good idea
cheers smiife

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