Flexible shop light

[Mike907]

Thanks, Farmer, I'll give them a try.

Mike

[beeg]

It seems like compact fluorescents might cause a strobe effect.

Any ideas?

Mike

I'm knot sure. But with the new compact fluorescent I don't think there is a strobe effect because they operate at a much higher cycles.

[db5]

Before you spend a lot of money check your local Salvation Army, Goodwill or other thrift stores. I bought two similar to the Ikea (shorter goose neck) for $1 each at Goodwill. I see this sort of thing there regularly.

[benush26]

I seem to remember someone had mounted the metal plate covers from outlet boxes throughout their shop to use for inexpensive magnetic base lamps. Were the lamps from HF? I can't get into the HF website at the moment to check prices.

RE: CF bulbs, I had replaced all the incandescent bulbs in the garage with CF, but last summer had broken a couple due to operator stupidity when handling long lengths of pipe and 2x6. HD (or maybe it was Costco) had a special on LED replacements so I bought two and they are great for these aging eyes. The brightness of them appears to give a clearer view (no objective testing) so they are over in the workbench swing arm lamp and magnifier lamp. I'm very impressed with amount of light thrown by CFL and I prefer it to the LED when lighting a larger area. So I guess different bulbs for different tasks.

[beeg]

but last summer had broken a couple due to operator stupidity when handling long lengths of pipe and 2x6.

Did ya call a hazmat team for cleanup?

[wrmnfzy]

I am going to try a very good hands free headlamp I have while I try and make up my mind on what flexible light to get. I will keep you updated, thanks for all the suggestions.

[berry]

I use those cheap clip-on work lights for task lighting. I have 4 or 5 and a number of hooks in the ceiling from which to suspend them. They are easy to adjust to various directions or move from one side of the shop to the other. I have a nice low ceiling which makes that easy. I can use incandescent, CFL or LED lamps in them. My wife uses a couple too, one in the sewing room and another on the loom.

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[Gene Howe]

I have one of those. While the light is excellent, it's disconcerting when I move my head.

I am going to try a very good hands free headlamp I have while I try and make up my mind on what flexible light to get. I will keep you updated, thanks for all the suggestions.

[robinson46176]

Like many, I too need good light to see well. I do have a little task lighting and in the farm shop especially doing mechanical work on mowers, tractors, trucks or cars I quickly grab a work light for lighting a spot. In my woodshop however I am going a different direction. I intend to have enough lighting from all directions that I don't need task lighting. I'm not there yet... but making progress.
It is costing more to set it up and will cost a little more to operate when I am working but not all that much. When you are running about 4,000 watts in horse tank heaters and another about 4,000 watts of electric spot heat and several security lights around the farm a little extra woodshop lighting a few hours at a time won't even show on the light bills.


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[moose]

wrmnfzy, returning to the original post, don't ignore the task lighting in the big box stores in the grill and BBQ accessory sections. Many of these feature clip on as well as mounting with rare earth magnets in their bases. Most of them are of the LED variety and very flexible. I use one mounted to my Dewalt jig saw, the other shares positions on the bandsaw, strip sander and lathe.