Thread: lathe lighting ?

It is always a good idea to have a certain amount of either natural &/or incandescent lighting on a lathe to help negate the stroboscopic effects of LED & fluro lighting.

Things like this can work.

SL98431BK.jpg

Hi guys, yeah, I use a similar one to cliff, s , but with a magnetic base so it can be moved around if it gets in the way

I have a number of the task lamps, but found that a good general lighting over the lathe made life easier. I installed a 1200*300 LED light panel above the lathe bed. It's a plug'n'play so no sparkie required.

LED installed low res.jpg

It's a very small workshop and has no windows, though there is natural lighting (lathe is near the door) and I do have LED's and also fluros but how I stand shadows the front face of the headstock and small spindle work. I used to use a task lamp with a normal size globe but it used to get in the way.

I'm actually wondering about something like the 3w flexi gooseneck led type that teknatool or I saw one on CWS site, magnetic as well so can place anywhere on the bed etc (I know it's not ideal on headstock because of bearings). Thinking maybe one for the bandsaw as well could be handy.

this thread has some great ideas

Originally Posted by WoodShaver

...magnetic as well so can place anywhere on the bed etc (I know it's not ideal on headstock because of bearings) .

I've heard this said before, but does anyone have any proof that magnets are an issue for the headstock bearings on woodturning lathes.

Perhaps on metal lathes a magnetised bearing would attract metal dust and shorten the life of the bearing.

Otherwise, I'm not convinced there is an issue for woodturning lathes given that I've had lots of magnets stuck to the headstocks of my lathes and never noticed any issues from doing so.


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I have 2 of the CWS magnetic lamps, ended up buying another 6 for the club, that I am in. 1 on the lathe and 1 for the Bandsaw or Drill Press.

Magnets on the headstock, I have rare earth magnets holding onto small rules,squares and punches and I have never noticed any change.

Originally Posted by Pat

I have 2 of the CWS magnetic lamps, ended up buying another 6 for the club, that I am in. 1 on the lathe and 1 for the Bandsaw or Drill Press.

Magnets on the headstock, I have rare earth magnets holding onto small rules,squares and punches and I have never noticed any change.

Oh I was looking and thinking about some from there. The ones you have got, are they by chance the 3W gooseneck with the on/off magnetic base? If they are bright enough that looks exactly like what I'm after. So it's all a rumour about magnets bear bearings? When you think about it, on a metal lathe maybe it's a thing but what's the harm on a wood lathe. Not that I'd want to do it very often but a bearing is a serviceable/replaceable part, if I had to do it once or twice at the price of good direct lighting I'm ok with that.

Yep, that's the beastie!

Originally Posted by Pat

Yep, that's the beastie!

Excellent and a BIG thank you Pat! I was going to ring them tomorrow but couldn't wait so just clicked on two...woohooo

I had a single 1200mm fluorescent tube over the lathe, but after 35 years, it had had enough and died. It was replaced with a 1200mm led tube that didn't require a starter. Greatest move ever, good clean white light now lights up the project. I supplement the lighting with an old "scissors" desk lamp (think that is what it's called), that has a led globe in it to see inside hollow forms.

As a matter of interest I have a magnet on top of the headstock. I have a variable speed motor from zero to about 2400 rpm. I can not detect any variation in the speed of the motor, with a tacho, with and without the magnet.

Jim

Originally Posted by powderpost

As a matter of interest I have a magnet on top of the headstock. I have a variable speed motor from zero to about 2400 rpm. I can not detect any variation in the speed of the motor, with a tacho, with and without the magnet.

The proof is mounting to debunk that bit of hearsay... : ~}

I have had the Nova light for several months. The illumination around my lathe is poor, and this light does a great job. It is very directional, so will focus light on a specific area.



Regards from Prague

Derek

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

It is always a good idea to have a certain amount of either natural &/or incandescent lighting on a lathe to help negate the stroboscopic effects of LED & fluro lighting.

Think I should try that just for general night time shed use . That sounds like it could be the cause of what I don't like about my LED only lighting .