Lets see your vintage shop work lights

[steaks&anvils]

That's Awesome! Now I really want one!

According to their website, they will make you one. I'm sure it'll only be for a "small fee"...

 

[redisthefastestcolour]

I'm proudly presenting my vintage shop work light.
More pictures for example a vintage shelf with secret doorway, hidden tool cabinet and so on in my garage gallery thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264361

 

[ojh]

I posted this in the 'lighting' section but its appropriate here as well, I had to replace my Halogen lights and went with 500w LED, they were 12" in diameter and I had some of the old warehouse light housings around and I thought I'd make an adapter plate:


I have to get some more housings and do the rest of the shop.

 

[11b30b4]

I got this Craftsman 9-2537 tool light when I purchased a Delta Grinder on a pedestal for $75.00 at an estate sale.

I have no idea why this tool light was attached to the pedestal since the grinder had lighted eye shields but after the grinder rebuild, I decided to rebuild the light and place it over on of the work benches in my shop. One of the rods was bent and the wiring needed replacement. After fixing this stuff, I repainted and polished the light.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

fantastic job on the craftsman light! this is one of my absolute favorite threads. I've got my eye out for one of those.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I picked up a crusty old Dazor for my shop at a flea market over the weekend for $5! Seller told me one lamp wasn't working, but when I got it home and hit the switch, both came on.



Took it out the shop for a cleanup, and found this old cap likely leaking PCBs (there was some oily residue, managed to get it on my hands of course...) The patents on this thing are from the 30's and relate to "polychlor diphenyl" as a dielectric, fairly sure this is not something I want oozing on my workbench.



After tweaking the joints and getting it back together, only one bulb lights. A few more tries, and neither one will come on. I haven't tested the ballasts/chokes yet, might get to that this evening when I go back in to make sure I didn't do something to disturb the wiring.

I searched around on the innerwebs, but couldn't find much about replacing these caps with modern equivalents. Does anyone have a resource for these? I was a little surprised that there isn't a Vintage Dazor forum out there

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Also, paging @DaveT for his Dazor wisdom!

 

[Username already in use]

PCB is Printed Circuit Board. Your capacitor is likely leaking electrolytic fluid. They've got a shelf life. There's probably a modern equivalent, but I can't be much help to you with what to purchase as a replacement.
I've got several of the type that affix to the edge of the workspace. With one, I have to press and hold the 'on' button for a moment to get both lights to come on. There may be something wrong/intermittent with the on switch.

 

[Provincial]

PCB's = polychlorinated biphenyls. They were used as electrolytic fluid until it was found that they cause cancer. Commonly used in transformers for power distribution until that was discovered. They are now regulated hazardous materials.

 

[Username already in use]

PCB's = polychlorinated biphenyls.

Today I learned.

 

[RTM]

This might be heresy, but by disconnecting two wires, and installing LEDs, you can get rid of two problems.

Amazon.com

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

This might be heresy, but by disconnecting two wires, and installing LEDs, you can get rid of two problems.

Amazon.com

Not opposed to modifying the lamp, and might get better output from LEDs, but not for $62 a pop!

 

[RTM]

Don't buy there, that was just a quick tease. Just look for the F15 T8 LED bulb. Avoid Plug n Play, some want starters present. Some potential options, should be around $15 based on past experience with other LEDs

Pardon Our Interruption...

Satco S11951 LED Light Bulb: 18" long, replaces F15T8, 4000K

Satco S11951 LED Light Bulb: 18" long, single ended, ballast bypass, 4000K cool white, replaces ( F15T8 ) T8 or T12 fluorescent tube, G13 bipin base

bulbman.com

18" F15T8 12/24VDC LED Tube for Fluorescent Fixtures

Replacement LED bulb for fluorescent style fixtures tube F15T8 Thin Lite for sailboats yachts and rv's

store.marinebeam.com

18 Inch LED Tubes - LED T8 Tubes

From Retrofit Conversion Kits to T8 LED Tubes, ledt8bulb.com has you covered! Owned by Premier Lighting, the leading lighting distributor in Minnesota.

ledt8bulb.com

Hmm, my favorite vendor doesn't have 18" versions.

0 results for 'f15 t8 bulb LED' | 1000Bulbs.com

America's Largest Online Light Bulb Retailer! Thousands of Halogens, CFLs, Automotive Bulbs, Christmas Lights, LEDs, Rope Lights, and Electrical Supplies.

www.1000bulbs.com

 

[Username already in use]

I got some LED bulbs at Walmart. They were pretty cheap and seem to work well.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Thanks, that's much more reasonable. I'll look into updating it to LEDs.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I picked up a crusty old Dazor for my shop at a flea market over the weekend for $5! Seller told me one lamp wasn't working, but when I got it home and hit the switch, both came on.



After tweaking the joints and getting it back together, only one bulb lights. A few more tries, and neither one will come on. I haven't tested the ballasts/chokes yet, might get to that this evening when I go back in to make sure I didn't do something to disturb the wiring.

I have that same lamp, but in pristine condition. I use it for a bedside lamp to read by. The fluorescent bulbs are what were in it when I got it at the thrift store (years ago).

I have found that I have to hold the red button down until both bulbs actually turn on. If I just push it fast, only one might light and the other will flicker a bit. It also is a bit finicky when the room is cold.

This is also what another dazor lamp I have does. I think the holding down the button until lit is just an old dazor lamp thing.

Great find! great lamps!

 

[RTM]

Lots of old fluorescent lamps required holding the button, never knew if it was cruddy bulbs or starters.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I have that same lamp, but in pristine condition. I use it for a bedside lamp to read by. The fluorescent bulbs are what were in it when I got it at the thrift store (years ago).

I have found that I have to hold the red button down until both bulbs actually turn on. If I just push it fast, only one might light and the other will flicker a bit. It also is a bit finicky when the room is cold.

This is also what another dazor lamp I have does. I think the holding down the button until lit is just an old dazor lamp thing.

Great find! great lamps!

I've got another newer and larger clamp-on Dazor with 3 bulbs, it takes the same process to light up. Same thing for my circle light magnifiers.

Curiously enough, in digging for more info about the cap, I found a few discussions of vintage fluorescent units, and some folks have identified date codes on their fluorescent tubes going back to the 40's, and they're still going strong. I haven't bothered to look at mine, I already have too much useless trivia occupying too few brain cells...

 

[csp]

I posted this in the 'lighting' section but its appropriate here as well, I had to replace my Halogen lights and went with 500w LED, they were 12" in diameter and I had some of the old warehouse light housings around and I thought I'd make an adapter plate:

Details on your adapter? I have 30+ of those Benjamin housings, most with the bulb sockets intact but they're missing on a few.

 

[Outlawmws]

Holding the button is the Std start process for these old lamps. every florescent drafting lamp I ever used needed it.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Holding the button is the Std start process for these old lamps. every florescent drafting lamp I ever used needed it.

Yeah, I'm not sure why everyone is trying to explain how to turn these on to me, but I've been using similar lamps for decades too. Maybe when I said "when I brought it home and hit the switch" I gave the impression that I don't know how to use a desk lamp? That's all I can come up with

 

[RTM]

A friend picked one up cheap since the seller didn’t know to hold the button. Wasn’t til later that you let on you were hoarding them from the rest of us.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Yeah, I'm not sure why everyone is trying to explain how to turn these on to me, but I've been using similar lamps for decades too. Maybe when I said "when I brought it home and hit the switch" I gave the impression that I don't know how to use a desk lamp? That's all I can come up with

Well, we don't always know what someone else knows.

And the holding the button down is the easiest help we can offer.

We could have asked you if it was plugged in.

 

[Outlawmws]

We could have asked you if it was plugged in.

Reminds me of an old computer "help desk" joke: (maybe not a joke...)

Call comes in with the classic, "My computer won't power up.
asked a few questions, then asked them to make sure the plug hadn't got knocked loose, (giving them the benefit of the doubt)

"I can't tell"

"Why can't you tell?"

"Its dark back there"

"Turn on a light"

"I can't, the power is out..."

 

[Mintgrun]

I recently read somewhere that fresh bulbs can fix the single-lit light-problem and it worked on the two lamps I put new bulbs in. Tom

 

[steaks&anvils]

Reminds me of an old computer "help desk" joke: (maybe not a joke...)

Call comes in with the classic, "My computer won't power up.
asked a few questions, then asked them to make sure the plug hadn't got knocked loose, (giving them the benefit of the doubt)

"I can't tell"

"Why can't you tell?"

"Its dark back there"

"Turn on a light"

"I can't, the power is out..."

I remember, back when computer monitors where huge. The IT manager (it was before the term IT was used) and the "hardware" guy spent hours trying to get a new PC to boot up (you know, 5.25 floppy boot disk days).

Then someone else simply asked if the contrast was turned up on that new monitor?

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Well, we don't always know what someone else knows.

And the holding the button down is the easiest help we can offer.

We could have asked you if it was plugged in.

I should have been more clear, comprehensive communication has never been my strong suit.

I haven't cracked the lamp open again yet, though it's back in the one-functional-tube mode today. I did try to swap in a working tube, but there's one consistently uncooperative socket, so it could be a ballast, or wiring related.

I'm more focused on getting all the horrible paint off of that big jointing plane.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I haven't cracked the lamp open again yet, though it's back in the one-functional-tube mode today. I did try to swap in a working tube, but there's one consistently uncooperative socket, so it could be a ballast, or wiring related.

Try turning the bulbs around too. The lit one swapped to the bad side, ends flipped to opposite socket.

I know that I had one lamp that I swear I moved the bulbs every which way and it finally decided to light up both tubes. That one worked for a long time until one bulb really died (blue/black streaks inside from one end).

Yeah, bad socket. Re-wire time then.

FYI, often the thrift stores have lamps like the dazors, old, same era. You might try getting a donor lamp and doing some surgery.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Try turning the bulbs around too. The lit one swapped to the bad side, ends flipped to opposite socket.

I know that I had one lamp that I swear I moved the bulbs every which way and it finally decided to light up both tubes. That one worked for a long time until one bulb really died (blue/black streaks inside from one end).

Yeah, bad socket. Re-wire time then.

FYI, often the thrift stores have lamps like the dazors, old, same era. You might try getting a donor lamp and doing some surgery.

I wandered into the articulated lamp world a few years ago with a Dazor bought at a garage sale for $1.00.

I then found a Luxo that needed a replacement starter switch and miraculously found one online. I grab floating arm lamps any time I see them . . . at garage sales, at the curb, at flea markets . . .

I probably have 6 in use around the house and 6 up in the attic awaiting a use in my shop - once I have one.

Cheers

Jim

 

[RTM]

I'm more focused on getting all the horrible paint off of that big jointing plane.

Glad to hear. I was afraid the light was to showcase that plane on your little altar there.

 

[ojh]

Details on your adapter? I have 30+ of those Benjamin housings, most with the bulb sockets intact but they're missing on a few.

The adapter is just a 16ga plate, there's one in the photo, the shade sets loosely on top.
Since I made the post about the fixtures they have quit working, as of yesterday I've lost 3 of them, they have about 400hrs on them and the avg life span is supposed to be greater than 30,000. I'm in contact with the distributor and I'm trying to send one back for analysis, they've been good to talk to, supportive and have offered to replace the three, I need to know if all 6 are from a bad batch or even if I installed them wrong.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Been busy cleaning up an estate lately and got to the back of one of the sheds a couple days ago. Lots of sorting but pulled this M. Brandt & Son medical lamp out of the pile. It will find new life as a neat shop lamp with the fairly heavy cast base and multiple adjustment points being very useful. Also found a commander fire light in the mix. Not exactly a useful shop light but kind of neat too. Ed.

 

[RTM]

Put the commander on the other side of the door when you are doing precision work and should not be disturbed.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Not a bad suggestion RTM. I also thought of hooking the commander to my motion detector as part of the intruder detterent system...along with a loud siren. It works well and is very bright.

 

[tombell572]

ORC, that medical light is a beauty--will be handy for lighting up small work areas. The Commander "bubblegum" light was popular in the 60's-70's usually mounted on the roof of closed cab apparatus. Federal Signal is still around making emergency lighting systems and the classic Federal "Q" mechanical siren.

Tom B.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

So I turned my attention back to the Dazor and still haven't solved it. I took each of the ballasts out of the circuit in turn, and their resistance was identical. It was only then that I realized I accidentally removed two wire nuts, leaving me with 5 disconnected wires, and a rapidly fading recollection of how they went together (I didn't take a pic or diagram the wiring in advance, that would make too much sense.) There don't seem to be any wiring diagrams of these lamps online, probably because it's not a complicated circuit, but one grainy photo of the internals was all I could find.

I managed to figure it out with a little deductive reasoning, and I'm back to square one. Just in case anyone from the future internet needs to see how this thing is wired, here are a couple of pics:





I've tried two known-good lamps from the unit on my office desk, cleaned the contacts in the sockets and checked the wiring for any loose ends. I've read that the switches can go bad and lead to the one-light condition, but without a schematic of the switch, it's challenging.
Somewhere in my travels, I saw a photo of a switch that someone had disassembled and repaired. It looked like a task better suited to watchmakers, lots of tiny parts, and some springs that I'm sure to lose. I could pull the switch out of my desk lamp, but they're only $35 direct from Dazor, I'd probably be better off just buying a new one.

 

[bmwrd0]

Picked this up last week:

notice the original cord and plug

how the switch housing is mounted to the bulb socket

and it still has the original label. Very happy with this, and will probably mount it over my lathe.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I bought this for no reason other than this thread peaked my interest. After it sat untouched for a few years SWMBO noted she was looking for a reading lamp. The brown wrinkle paint was VERY difficult to remove until I tried the hot simple green method. The upper arm section is actually solid copper! The base is about ten pounds of iron as well. A little hammer work on the aluminum shaded and new components in the housing were rewarded with the highest of honors - being allowed in the house.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...rewarded with the highest of honors - being allowed in the house.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I never did follow up on my Dazor that had one pesky fluorescent tube which refused to light. It turned out to be a bad connection to a ballast. The little twisted wire pigtail that's soldered to the main winding had come loose, but I had to peel back the cardboard covering to see it, and resoldering it fixed it!



I just picked up the Flexo in the center, can you tell I like these lights?