Quest For a Really Good Task Work Light

[Bruce Cohen]

I've been looking for a task (spot) light to aument the overhead lighting in my shop (Garage). I guseeth kind that either clamps to or attaches by magnetic to a stationary tool. Although, it could be the kind that affixes to the wooden dase that the tool is attached to.

So far, all I've found are either those 40-60 watt anemic types sold by Rockler, or athe 300-500 watt halogen types that are way too hot to work with for more than 5 minutes.

HELP, is there anyone out there that can steer my in the right direction.

Bruce

[steve-norrell]

I mounted a short track lighting system over my table saw and router but used LED spot lights (four) in the fixtures. A little pricey for the LED's but they do the job and are supposed to last forever. The track lights are can be adjusted to shine where ever.

Regards, Steve

[cwsmith]

By your description, I presume you mean a permanent light installation. In which case I use a gooseneck lamp with a "flood-type" bulb. They come in 40 watt and up. I use one on my little bandsaw and is more than adequate, as I can swing the goose-next to get close.

These are basically the bulbs you used in "canned" lighting fixtures... and I've seen them in heavier track lighting; both of which may give you some alternatives.

Quatz-Halogens are just too darn hot, not to mention the power consumption, and the fact you can get burned if you work too closely with them.

For temporary position lighting (like when I'm changing the blade on the RAS or need a little extra light on any of the tools, I really like LED lights. I have three of the NiMh rechargeable Craftsman "wands" They have 19 LED's in the tube and eight or so in the end (like a flashlight). They're currently on sale this coming week (Craftsman club) for $19.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...5&blockType=L5

The new Ryobi Tek4 line just introduced a small, but relativly bright 6-LED worklight that has a magnetic pad. These use the Tek4 4-Volt Li-Ion battery and the light tube rotates about 120 degrees and the battery provides a sufficient number of hours per charge. It's priced around $15 less battery ($10) and charger.

http://www.ryobitools.com/catalog/te...410#/zoom-tab0

I hope this helps,

CWS

[Tom Slick]

I recommend anything on these pages:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#bench-lights/=8ilgq6

http://www.mcmaster.com/#bench-lights/=8ilhcq

They all have heat shields so they don't get too hot on the outside. I had about 30 of them at various work stations where people worked all shift long.

[LCHIEN]

You can use those 2" reflector floods designed for small track lighting cans in a typical work lamp... that puts most of the light out the front. 40-50-60 watts in a small space.

[cabinetman]

You might consider what type of illumination you're comfortable with. You may decide you like florescent over incandescent, or halogen. You said "spot" lighting. Another decision is how large a "spot" you want to illuminate, and how or where you can install/mount the fixture.
.

[gsmittle]

Total overkill dept:

http://www.etcconnect.com/product.ov....aspx?ID=20080


g.

[Chris_B]

Try Moffatt Task lamps

Moffatt task lamps are outstanding (and made in the US), but not cheap. I am pretty sure that these are the same as item "E" on the McMaster links that Tom posted.

The gooseneck is very high quality and actually stays in place. The Lexan reflector housing swivels, and has a heatsink to stay cool even with a 100W incandescent bulb. I use the "incandescent" model with 100W CFL bulbs and they work great.

Moffatt makes several models with different reflectors, lengths and bases, but I use these:


This base has a quick-release, so you can quickly move the lamp from place-to-place.



See: http://www.moffattproducts.com/Default.aspx for more of their product line.

Iturra Design carries them, and includes accessories like a rubber cover to keep dust out of the switch. The cheapest place I've found these lamps is at Wholesale Tool for $45 with two bases.
See: http://www.wttool.com/category-exec/category_id/14901

Wholesale Tool also has the same light (OEM'd by Build-All, with only the 3-hole base) on clearance for $30.
See: http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/p..._Lamp_Assembly