Shopsmith Forums

This is just a really, really simple, spur-of-the-moment, addition to my workbench. I always need more light to see what the heck I am doing - on the work bench, at the machines, etc (part of that getting older 'thingie', I guess). A couple of months ago, I found several of those cheap lamps stored away in the attic - you know, the one's with the adjustable arms and a base that clamps to the the desk.

So I decided to mount a couple of them on the workbench - that way I could swing them around where needed for light. The original desk clamps wouldn't work - bench is too thick. Next idea was to use the dog holes but they are too big (3/4").

In frustration, I grabbed a hunk of 2x4, drilled a 1/2" hole in it and clamped the block to the bench.
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Work's like a champ! I can move it as need be and it now (as shown) will hold two lamps. A great addition. And two less un-used items in the attic.

I like it..I love a simple thing that works..

bobgroh wrote: So I decided to mount a couple of them on the workbench - that way I could swing them around where needed for light. The original desk clamps wouldn't work - bench is too thick. Next idea was to use the dog holes but they are too big (3/4").

A great solution, I have a couple of those lamps in my shop mounted in a similar way.

If you want to use the dog holes in your work bench Lee Valley has Lamp Bushings

Thanks for the Lee Valley find, I wish I had seen those before I turned a couple out of maple. Oh, well, it was good practice!

Gary

Regarding the idea of using a bushing in the dog holes, I thought about that (thanks for the Lee Valley idea) but the darned holes didn't seem to be where I wanted! And they seemed to be where I didn't want them!

I am finding that this, my first 'real' work bench, is part of an evolving design process. And I am not surprised that I am finding things I want to do differently the next time (and there will be another one - already have a built-up maple top sitting in the corner waiting!).

Illuminating idea!

I got annoyed just the other day as the fence, bandsaw, or my head was casting shadows on the Mark VII. Took a piece of 2 by 4, split it, cut out to match the tubes, and a hole for the light. Screw the halves together to clamp on the tubes. Dedicated light anywhere on the machine.

squashfest81 wrote:I got annoyed just the other day as the fence, bandsaw, or my head was casting shadows on the Mark VII. Took a piece of 2 by 4, split it, cut out to match the tubes, and a hole for the light. Screw the halves together to clamp on the tubes. Dedicated light anywhere on the machine.

That works very well indeed. I did a couple of years ago and posted it here on the forum - I stole the idea from an old note from Shopsmith! I made 3 of them - two for my two Mark V's and one for my son-in-laws. I need to cobble something better for the bandsaw - need a more directed light for the blade area. Always something to do!

I made another choice on woodshop lighting. I was accumulating work lights but decided instead that I want enough lights in enough locations in the shop and big enough and of different types so I can see anything anyplace in the shop without work lights. Right now most of them are temps hanging on cords as I fine tune the layout but I'm pretty much ready to hard-wire everything now.
No part of the woodshop will be left dark or dim trying to save a few cents. I walk in the shop and flip one switch, bang... it's lit.
Being a basement shop it currently gets no natural light but I will put a window in the door in the north wall which will allow some near the bench.
The shop is 24' x 40' so it takes a lot of lights to kill any shadows but I think it is worth it. One of my favorite lights are the 150 watt equivalent compact fluorescents. A little pricey to buy but bright, no flutter and long lived. I also have four 2 bulb 8' fluorescent fixtures and I mixed in a few conventional bulbs.


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