Dental lights for shop use?

[signcrafter]

I have a bad habit of surfing marketplace before I have my second cup of coffee and finding cheap stuff to make the shop better. Kind of a game to me to find interesting stuff for cheap. There is a dental office being cleared out and they posted the overhead lights on market place for cheap, they are crazy expensive brand new. My thought was maybe they would work for under hood lights if hung from the ceiling. One on each side that can swing out of the way when not in use and then be positioned where needed. Not 100% sure they would work good for my layout depending on how much travel they have and be able to position for work and still be able to swing out of the way. I have a rechargeable under hood light but it would be nice to have a light or two that just pulls into place and switch on and not worry about battery dying. Kind of an unconventional silly idea but I if the layout works I think it could be a nice addition. Would have to purchase and then see if I can mount them where they will work for light but also be able to not be in the way when not using them. For the price I'm kind of leaning towards taking the gamble. Curious on thoughts from others? I'm sure lots will think I'm crazy but I see some usefulness out of them, bright and adjustable. Might even get one for doing tire repairs, my tire patch spreader stand doesn't have a light and I just use a magnetic stick light on the tire stand to be able to see inside the tire when doing a patch/plug. I had been keeping an eye out for a warehouse light that is on an arm that they use for loading semis but thing then dental light might work as good or better.

 

[The Cobbler]

what do they use for replacement lamps, and are they readily available & within budget?
I'd be tempted to try them, they are nice & bright for sure

 

[kbuhagiar]

Bear in mind that they are VERY heavy, at least the ones I looked at last year.
And they probably use specialized bulbs. Not a show stopper, but something to think about.

For my application the cheap price would not have justified the extra time & effort required to install and use.

 

[nadogail]

Try it, you might like it, I would not invest any working capital in it, just my entertainment budget.
If your idea does not meet your expectations; you can donate the lamp assembly and make a claim for a charitable deduction on your state and Federal tax return.

 

[signcrafter]

what do they use for replacement lamps, and are they readily available & within budget?
I'd be tempted to try them, they are nice & bright for sure

I believe these ones are halogen. I will have to look into replacement bulbs.

Bear in mind that they are VERY heavy, at least the ones I looked at last year.
And they probably use specialized bulbs. Not a show stopper, but something to think about.

For my application the cheap price would not have justified the extra time & effort required to install and use.

Time isn't much to install, run some wire and install whatever box they need. The picture in the ad just shows the pole going through the suspended ceiling. I'm not worried about being able to support them if they are that heavy and can figure that out. But it seems like they move easy from what I remember at the dentist office.

 

[zendriver]

I need light, where I need it, so having something ceiling mounted with a relatively narrow lighting area just can’t see any advantage

no pun intended

But they’ll probably sell cheap give it a go

 

[Beerhippie]

I'd jump on that!

Generally, changing the bulbs to LED is pretty simple--it might mean replacing the bulb base, but that's usually trivial.

Keep us posted!

PS: Here's a giant Photogenic Speedlight flood I recently converted from xenon flash to LED:











It took me less than an hour and cost less than $50--including an actual photo-flood LED bulb for it.

 

[rlitman]

I believe these ones are halogen. I will have to look into replacement bulbs...

The old ones were halogen, and I wouldn't hold my breath looking for an LED retrofit option, but since it's a simple reflector, I suppose there's a chance. The biggest issue I can see would be heat dissipation (halogen radiates heat, but LED doesn't do that well), but today's LED elements may make this possible. All I know is my dentist has LED lamps, but they're all new fixtures and they're configured very differently (lensed) than the classic halogen reflectors.

As for what else you can do with a dental lamp, well the light angle is very narrow. Unless you're working in restricted places (perhaps watch repair or gynecology), I'm not sure what they're good for.

 

[signcrafter]

The old ones were halogen, and I wouldn't hold my breath looking for an LED retrofit option, but since it's a simple reflector, I suppose there's a chance. The biggest issue I can see would be heat dissipation (halogen radiates heat, but LED doesn't do that well), but today's LED elements may make this possible. All I know is my dentist has LED lamps, but they're all new fixtures and they're configured very differently (lensed) than the classic halogen reflectors.

As for what else you can do with a dental lamp, well the light angle is very narrow. Unless you're working in restricted places (perhaps watch repair or gynecology), I'm not sure what they're good for.

Not sure the wife would be into that roll playing stuff but maybe I should see. LOL. There was an exam chair I came across a few weeks ago with the leg rests on market place. Tell her we can save some money on doctor fees?

 

[MichaelP]

I have installed one at my shotgun shell reloaders area, and it's bright and very convenient. It is suitable for a reasonably wide spotlight for something like mills, lathes, grinders, etc. The halogen bulbs are easy enough to source.

 

[rust in the eye]

Pretty sure those dental/medical light have a fairly narrow focus. Not sure if this would suit your needs or not.

 

[dscheidt]

I had a buddy who sold dental office equipment. He sold lots of used lights into machine shops and such, because they make awesome task lights for a bench or machine set up. Easy to put the light right where you want it, it'll stay there, and when you're done, it can fold up to the ceiling out of the way.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Might be useful if you're into Dremeling small things covered with enamel. Just keep asking the thing, "Is it safe?"

 

[NUTTSGT]

Those halogens would be great during the winter in an unheated garage.....oh the old days.