High quality task light?

[pontoon]

Hi, I’m looking for a high quality task light to attach to my workbench or wall next to the bench. I’m looking for an articulating light so I can reposition it above whatever work I’m doing. I think LED would probably be preferred.

Any tips much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[redmondjp]

Hi, I’m looking for a high quality task light to attach to my workbench or wall next to the bench. I’m looking for an articulating light so I can reposition it above whatever work I’m doing. I think LED would probably be preferred.

Any tips much appreciated. Thanks.

Go to an Ikea or a local thrift store and find a lamp fixture that will meet your needs. All of my work lamps are vintage double-arm ones that I picked up decades ago when everybody else was throwing them away (they have since become 'cool' again). The one on my workbench used to be on my grandmother's sewing table.

Then install a PAR-type reflective LED bulb into it, 60W equivalent is plenty (about 800 lumens typically), with color temperature of your choice - 2700-3000K will be warm white, while 5000-6000K will be cool white or more blueish. If you use the reflective-type bulb it doesn't need or use the lamp reflector in order to direct the light.

 

[Ralf11]

your dentist has what you want

 

[sz0k30]

Look at the right side of my workbench. Stays out of the way and the magnifying glass has come in handy many times.

 

[David Paul]

Check out dock lights. They are used on loading docks to shine into a trailer to help see while loading/unloading. Like this.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...r1EW1jnOPOTRi7AqGbI7kmtYYbihUqDRoCv8UQAvD_BwE.

 

[ace10]

There are work lights and there are work light and then there are work lights.

What do you want this light to do? And no, that's not a sarcastic question.

You want brightness? Adjustability?
You need accurate color representation within the area?
How much of an area to you need to light?

How much you willing to spend?

 

[pontoon]

Probably under $300. Buy once, cry once, within reason.

I like the idea of a magnifier and a light. Maybe separate light and magnification will make sense for me.

I want to light up an area about the size of any random object being put on a workbench.

Adjustable color temp is nice to have, not mandatory. If it isn’t an adjustable color, a neutral white (not yellow) would be good.

This light looks awesome but it costs over $1000.

 

[CraigStu]

I have similar to what szOK30 has. The ring type florescent tube could be a little brighter. It is at a sit down bench. I push it up high for general light and bring it down between me and the project to use the magnifier. Really helpful for my 72 yr old eyes. It was maybe $60 at office depot.

 

[nadogail]

If you can find one with the magnifying lens and the circular fluorescent, GRAB IT!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Look at the right side of my workbench. Stays out of the way and the magnifying glass has come in handy many times.

Very similar to the one I have. A Godsend for my old eyes sometimes.

Tommy

 

[goodWood]

If you have IKEA near you, try the Tertial articulating lamps. About $14 dollars each. I have a couple mounted on the wall behind my workbench. Replaced the bulbs with some higher lumen and high CRI bulbs for accurate color rendition. Also mounted one on the band saw. Best bang for the buck ever.

 

[Bluedodge]

I have one of these beauties mounted to the cabinet above my work bench. Works pretty darn good for the money.

https://www.harborfreight.com/fluorescent-magnifying-lamp-60643.html?_br_psugg_q=lamp

 

[Lynden]

The best, highest-quality drafting light I ever used was a Vemcolite VL-4. You can buy a used one on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2940935617...MI7IjVq9Pn7wIVVh6tBh1e1wOcEAQYAyABEgIN0vD_BwE

"Used and in great condition. Vemcolite VL-4 Tasklite with incandescent bulb and fluorescent ring bulb with electrical outlet in base. All metal construction. Clamps on to any surface. Approximately 24" long - 42” long when telescoping feature is fully extended. Great light looks almost new."

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=vemcolite+vl-4&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[NoUserName]

The best, highest-quality drafting light I ever used was a Vemcolite VL-4. You can buy a used one on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2940935617...MI7IjVq9Pn7wIVVh6tBh1e1wOcEAQYAyABEgIN0vD_BwE

"Used and in great condition. Vemcolite VL-4 Tasklite with incandescent bulb and fluorescent ring bulb with electrical outlet in base. All metal construction. Clamps on to any surface. Approximately 24" long - 42” long when telescoping feature is fully extended. Great light looks almost new."

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=vemcolite+vl-4&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Old thread, I know, but was wondering how familiar you are with you VL-4? Do these use starters to start the bulb?
I have one which requires a few taps of the fluorescent switch before it fully illuminates, it does the fluoro-flicker. I replaced the bulb because the old one looked original anyway and still the same problem. I took the two screws out of the back of the head and tried to pull the innards out of the head and...of course, there's a locking grommet keeping the power cord tight and preventing it from being pulled out very far and I hate trying to remove those grommets. Perhaps it's the switch, I didn't immediately see a starter, just wondering if you had an experience with these.
Advanced gratitude!

 

[Lynden]

I never had a problem with mine so I can't help you. Are there any lamp repair shops in Kingman?

 

[NoUserName]

I appreciate your reply. There's nothing like a lamp repair shop here but after I wrote my question to you, I went out to the garage to play (obsess) with the lamp some more and I figured out when pressing the switch, if I hold it down for 1 second and then release it, that it seems to charge the system up and illuminate the tube as normal...unlike the incandescent bulb which illuminates with just a quick click. I also determined that the fluorescent is indeed starterless so perhaps that's normal protocol for the this type of system. Or at least it is now.

 

[DGersic]

I appreciate for your reply. There's nothing like a lamp repair shop here but after I wrote my question to you, I went out to the garage to play (obsess) with the lamp some more and I figured out when pressing the switch, if I hold it down for 1 second and then release it, that it seems to charge the system up and illuminate the tube as normal...unlike the incandescent bulb which illuminates with just a quick click. I also determined that the fluorescent is indeed starterless so perhaps that's normal protocol for the this type of system. Or at least it is now.

The old fluorescent desk lamps I’ve owned all worked this way. Push and hold the ”on” button to start them.

 

[NoUserName]

It's entirely possible that the two old fluorescent desk lamps that I have back in a spare bedroom closet also did this but that my brain has no recollection of it anymore...I'll have to try them again soon.
I've had this Vemco for over a year and when I first got it, I figured something was just quirky with the switch and I shoved it off to the side until now when I decided to monkey with it. I appreciate your response.

 

[pizza]

i like the zebralight 18650 headlamps

these two are my favorite:

H600c Mk IV 18650 XHP50.2 4000K High CRI Headlamp-H600c Mk I

www.zebralight.com

H600Fc Mk IV 18650 XHP50.2 Floody 4000K High CRI Headlamp-H6

www.zebralight.com

depends if you want floody or not. i prefer H600c. about $90.



for lamps, i like benQ e-reading desk lamp:

E-reading Intelligent

BenQ E-reading Intelligent swing arm desk lamp: 150% wider coverage, auto-dimming, and adjustable brightness. Reduce eye strain with flicker-free LED and versatile positioning. Perfect for reading, studying, and office work.

www.benq.com

about $230.

it is a pretty nice lamp with good emitters and decent build quality. best i've seen so far but am curious about other options.

i used to rock a solux (MR16 halogen) lamp:

my lamp broke, and i think the bulbs were recently discontinued anyways. they were well known for amazing spectrum though.

at this point, i'd never go back to halogen or fluorescent. LED all the way.

 

[jives]

Yes, a resurrected thread, but I thought I would offer what I did. I had old desk lamp arms -- the jointed parallel arm kind with a bayonet end that inserted into a desk clamp -- with the light fixture broken. I removed the fixture, installed a cheap Amazon 5000 lumen, 5000 Kelvin, LED floodlight on the end, and then fabricated a wall mount bracket to insert the bayonet. The wall bracket sits at about 4' above the work desk and is extension-corded to receptacle with a plug-in switch. The floodlight itself has a handle that can be grabbed to move the light around. Lots of range, lots of light, works great, total cost of about $12.

 

[Fixr]

Yes, a resurrected thread, but I thought I would offer what I did. I had old desk lamp arms -- the jointed parallel arm kind with a bayonet end that inserted into a desk clamp -- with the light fixture broken. I removed the fixture, installed a cheap Amazon 5000 lumen, 5000 Kelvin, LED floodlight on the end, and then fabricated a wall mount bracket to insert the bayonet. The wall bracket sits at about 4' above the work desk and is extension-corded to receptacle with a plug-in switch. The floodlight itself has a handle that can be grabbed to move the light around. Lots of range, lots of light, works great, total cost of about $12.

Pics?

 

[600SL]

I needed an extremely powerful light for welding. I tried building this in green because I read that the welding mask doesn't filter out green light. That is true and using the green light there is no need for an auto darkening mask as you can see everything through the welding mask with just the green task light shining on it. But it didn't cure my issues with seeing after I strike the arc, therefore I will be replacing the super powerful green LED with a white one. This light is mounted to an articulating arm that I got from a camera supply. Really comes in handy as I can position it anywhere I'm welding. But in hind sight since I really don't need green building this was a wast of time and the solution presented in post 5 would be a great solution for an articulated welding light. Although I may have to mount it on a hinge to allow me to bring it down to the work area.

 

[jives]

As requested. . . .A double jointed lamp arm from a scrap pile at work. The double joint can be a bit of a pain, but it has a long reach. I fabricated the wall mount bracket (among my first welding projects) and the bent flat bar that attaches the floodlight to the arm. Not shown is that the extension cord plugs into a plug-in receptacle device that has a built-in switch. it is not elegant, but it keeps the lamp off the bench and is super bright and I find I use all of the extendable range.

 

[Hooked]

I appreciate your reply. There's nothing like a lamp repair shop here but after I wrote my question to you, I went out to the garage to play (obsess) with the lamp some more and I figured out when pressing the switch, if I hold it down for 1 second and then release it, that it seems to charge the system up and illuminate the tube as normal...unlike the incandescent bulb which illuminates with just a quick click. I also determined that the fluorescent is indeed starterless so perhaps that's normal protocol for the this type of system. Or at least it is now.

I have one of the old magnifying task lights with the circular fluorescent bulb which requires you to hold the start button to get the light started. Last year the switch failed so I converted to LED and replaced the switch with a simple on/off. Better light and no holding a button any longer.

 

[niget2002]

I bought this one. I made the mistake of letting the wife borrow it. Now I have to buy another one. It has the bonus of having a magnifying glass on it.

Amazon.com

 

[Hohn]

luxo-wal025973-wave-led-esd-safe-5-diopter-illuminated-magnifier-with-45-arm

The Luxo WAL025973 WAVE®+LED ESD-Safe 5 Diopter Edge Clamp 45" Arm Magnifier comes with 2 dimmable 6W LED light sources that allow individual left and right lighting control. An auto shut off further ensures energy savings.Just the facts for WAL025973: Head surface resistivity of 106– 107 Ω/sq...

gokimco.com

Not cheap, but supposedly still rock-solid.

 

[oldman_pottering]

these ball socket extensions that are used in this video look handy