Lighting on your grinders?

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Lighting on your grinders?


For those who build, or modify your grinders and machinery.

I like the idea of adding additional lighting to my machines.

I see Brian Fellhoelter
has one on a grinder – see about 40 seconds in.
[video=youtube;c3bYp2LCio4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3bYp2LCio4[/video]



I got lucky once or twice, with a machining magnetic base lamps- they are pretty expensive now.



I would like to add some gooseneck lamps directly to my machines.
I'v tried the swing arm desk type lamp, but the goosenecks are more adjustable.

I've found one or two at junk shops, but I'd like to find a supply of them and get a bunch – maybe 10 of 15 of them all the same.

I've found this, but $50 is too much.
http://www.busybeetools.com/products/LAMP-FOR-DW788-DEWALT.html

Ikea has something like this, at $10 each which is good, but the LED light is pretty low powered, the colour is wrong and has no changeable lamps.
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20169658/

I'm aiming for a super bright daylight / blue coloured lamp like you can get in the compact fluorescent
but would love LED's for the durability if the colour and Lumens were there.

A standard base screw in lamp would be the most versatile.

I want them fairly long like 2 or 3 feet long so I can twist them around as I see fit.


I'm not against putting them together myself if I can find the goose neck part
.
 
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Good post I've been tossing this around my head lately as well, and because nothings there it just bounces around :)..

Its actually gotten so bad that I can't grind after the sun goes down, my grinder is set up in front of a window so I use natural light.. I have some florescent lighting I need to run overhead but have also been thinking about just attaching a cheapo clamp on type with the metal cover, takes regular bulbs and I have 2 of them laying around.... just have to figure out a way to attach because the clamp is so short....

I'd like to see some setups to gather ideas......
 
I have a movable light for my grinder, porta bandsaw, and drill press. It s pretty simple but does the job for now. All it is is a plug in 24" florescent light, the type meant to be mounted under a shelf or cupboard, that I have taped to a magnetic curtain rod. With the garage having tin walls and ceiling all I do is stick it where I am working at the time. It is a pretty hack and slash solution, but it does work for me.
 
I have found myself in your position several times, and never have come off with a perfect solution.

I have that one from Ikea, or one very similar, and it's not worth the hassle. It's a nice light for a bedroom reading lamp or something like that, but not a grinder, machining, or hand-finishing light.

I looked into building my own goosenecks. I USED to have a couple places book-marked you could order the stuff from, but it was pretty expensive.

We went into Office Max the other day, and they had a gooseneck LED that seemed pretty impressive in the store, for about $20.... but I haven't bought one to actually try it in the shop yet.

I have large dock lights over my grinders, and they work well. The hang-up, is that with large "overhead" lights, it's easy to stand in your own way. But I can swing them around to beam the light pretty much anywhere I want it.

I did a 3 minute job throwing together a little light for my 9" disc, and it works very well.... utilizing a $7 lamp from WalMart.

Let us know what you find/end up going with please. :)
 
Hey Count,

Wish I could stay that clean and organized. Sure as hell would like to have all those grinders,

Greg Shahan
 
This is the closest thing I've found so far

Sold as a sewing machine lamp on ebay $12 each $ 85 for 10

But it's only 21" long I'd like it longer

Shipping is high for me too.

gooseneck_light__29181_zoom.jpg




So far Walmart for me only has halogen & I hate getting burned on them.
I'm aiming for a standard base & I can pick and choose my bulbs
 
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Hey Count, Cansadian Tire has some a bit different that you can drill a hole in the bench top to attatch or attatch by means of screws to metal covers, or clamp to a bench erge. The old ones had too much plastic and didn't last as long as they should. The company that sells them under their own name has continued to update them to a point they are pretty good. I'm just about ready to start placing some of the old ones in my new shop. Frank
 
I consider adjustable lighting right on the grinders to be essential. Here's what I use for now:

IMG_6033.JPG


I really like to see what I'm doing,this is de rigeur with swept plunge grinding for me. I use compact fluorescent bulbs with these.
 
Not to link to anyone but, HEADLAMPS. such as the zebralights. Those things are amazing.
 
I use the swing arm lights like Salem Struab pictured because, in my experience, they stay put better than the flexible shaft type. I had a couple of the latter and after a while they won't stay where you put them...droopy lights are a pain.
 
I got an old surgery light from my brother who is a vet. Very intense light. It's on rollers with a heavy base and I have it situated so its light can hit my vise, grinder, bandsaw and drill press. Now if I just had a nurse to hand me my tools when asked for.
 
Heres what im using for lighting, little 10 led with magnetic base, and then i scored this rolling model thats weighted, the stand says atlas sound and rise about 4' and the flexible arm is by goodwinn manuf. I got it for 20 bucks at goodwill, i believe it came from medical field, extreme well built and balanced. GHaile
 

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I use about the same lights Salem is using. Plus I have 8' T8 fluorescent lights that I put up earlier this summer in the workshop. I do not like to have a dim lit work area.
 
NickWheeler said:
Don't remember what you worked out, or didn't... with Enco, but these are something I've been considering. They look a lot like Brian's. The price wouldn't really make you want to buy 15 of them, but I think a few of these would be better than 15 of something lesser quality.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=327-8865&PMPXNO=22570004&PARTPG=INLMK32
Click to expand...
Those are the very same lights, but with a different base.
This is the one you want if you get the standard style. Much friendlier options for mounting, and they swing away very easily. Plus, one light can swing between 2 grinders.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=8901197&PMAKA=510-0719
I have bought them from McMaster, and from Enco. Same manufacturer, ballpark of the same price.
McMaster also sells a version with a 90 degree swiveling mount, that work great for mounting up high.
I have 2 on my drill press bench to cover 3 presses.
Search for gooseneck light at McMaster.com

Cheap lights unfortunately are just that, cheap.

These units are industrial, and will not fail, or sag. They stay where you want them, and use regular old light bulbs.

Been using these for 20 years now, and never seen a single issue with them.

They aren't inexpensive, but you get what you pay for...

BTW, Enco has 15% off AND free shipping today and tomorrow. ($99 or more)
Codes DEC15 and DECSPF
I know the free shipping won't work to Canada, but if Enco sells to you, the 15% will work...
 
I was actually thinking about building a pvc frame over my work bench so I could use and move a few clamp work lights kinda like alot of people use for light boxes.
 
I have been purchasing lighting as well as having a lot given to me for the new shop. Each work station will have its own overhead track light spots as well as a fluorescent light. Additionally, there will be a movable light on arm(s) at any unit where I need good lighting. Some of this will be fiber optic lighting from an adjustable output Xenon light source. For instance, I have 1/2" fiber optic "Y-pipes" that will be mounted at the work rest of the grinder, and precisely light the contact area of the belt from above and below.
I also have a surgeons hood with a fiber optic spot light. Don't know if I'll use it while grinding, but it sure is nice when doing fine detail things, like file work and engraving.

I also have accumulated a bunch of goose-neck lights for things like mills and drills.
 
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