Shopsmith Forums

I am at work presently, not near my SS. Could someone let me know if the headstock casing is magnetic. I would like to get a magnetic base light for lighting up the table while using the SS in drill press mode (could use it on the BS also). Was hoping to find something local that I could use. I have something I am working on and I will be off the next couple of days. Extra light would be useful.

I know SS sells an utility light. But, I would have to wait on it. Wish the idea came to me sooner. I have an utility vacuum extension. I think the bracket for it would work for the utility light also.

Thanks.

Tony:

My experience was that the headstock did not have a large flat surface for the magnet to grab. As a result it kept sliding off. As for the BS there is no metal so I glued a metal plate that was designed to cover an electrical box on the backside but again, the weight of the light was too heavy to grab tightly.

In my opinion, a light held by a bracket would be better.

Just my $0.02.

Good luck.

John

The motor pan and the headstock belt cover are magnetic but I don't see these as appropriate locations for you lamp mount. You won't find many magnetic surfaces anywhere in the Shopsmith gear.

You could drill a couple holes in the side of a table (main, extension or floating) and attach a piece of metal to which you could attach a magnetic light.

Or, you could secure something magnetic into one of the rails and attach your magnetic lamp there. I have a piece of emt with a part slavaged off an old satellite antenna attached. I need to modify this by adding an elbow so the emt sticks straight up rather than out from the Shopsmith.

A metal electrical outlet box is magnetic. You could put that on the end of the emt.

Often, I have these (I have two) attached to my overhead garage door. When the door is open, they are directly over the work bench. Great for after dark. When the door is closed, they shine over my shoulder at the workbench. Shadows are a problem in this position.

I know you said a light was needed right away. But I think the Shopsmith light with bracket is the only way to go. Very flexable and easy to move.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... ylight.htm

Not if you want it "right away". It was a special not too long ago. It'll likely go back order now.

I managed to hold off until the next day to do the work. Opened the roll up door and let God's light shine on in. I was going to hang out in the shop over night and do it, but I had unexpected company. When I bring the SS up in drill press mode, the headstock blocks a bit of light from the fluorescents.

I have an order coming up. Have a list I am making. I think I will put that utility light on there. It is one of a kind, isn't it?

Dusty, you are very crafty. Good pics of the salvaged part from a satellite bracket.

Yesterday was Father's Day and SWMBO presented me with a small gift. It was a light for my GRILL.

This light has three magnets on its' base and a clamp. This was at 10AM - too much daylight to test it on the grill, so the first thing I did was test it on my ShopSmith. The magnets allow it to attach to some parts of the SS and the clamp allows it to be attached to the table and other places. Very versatile.

The lamp, at the end of a long flexible gooseneck, is made up of seven LEDs powered by three AAA batteries. It gives enough light to illuminate the immediate work area. It appears to be solidly built (in China).

There have been other discussions of lights to illuminate the work area, but I don't remember any thoughts of using a GRILL light. There might be some that are made in the USA.

Just an idea.