Workbench lighting

[Harry P.]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't work without good light. My old magnifier lamp conked out yesterday (it had one of those round flourescent bulbs and the ballast went bad)...

so I went online to find something new. I got an LED magnifier lamp, and wow! What a difference! I don't know if it's just me, but the light put out by this lamp seems much more "comfortable" to my eyes than my old flourescent lamp. It has a more "daylight" type color cast to it, it puts out no heat at all, and the LEDs supposedly will last 35 times as long as a typical light bulb. (We'll see about that, but even if they last only 10x longer it's still a good deal).

Anyway... if you're looking for a new desk lamp, be sure to check out the LED type, in person at the store if possible. I think you'll like it.

This is the one I got (model #420036), but there are many other ones out there in a wide price range:

http://www.officedep...amp&type=Search

[Guest Johnny]

Right now I use an extendable arm lamp with a daylight cfl bulb. But need to look into a good magnifier lamp..

[SuperStockAndy]

I use just a desk lamp, I really need something else....

[Harry P.]

It also says on the box that LEDs use 75% less energy than a typical light bulb, so a nice "side effect!" I don't know if it's really true, but with "truth in packaging" laws I guess they couldn't say it if it wasn't so.

[Dr. Cranky]

Good subject to bring up, Harry. I have 4 banks of great lights hanging from the ceiling, and a about 3 desk lamps one with a huge magnifier! I think the older I get the more lighting I need.

[mikemodeler]

Thanks for the tip Harry, now I know what to put on my Christmas/Birthday list.

Funny thing is, I have noticed lately that the ol eyesight ain't what it used to be.....Dang, I am getting old!

I am also going to check Hobby Lobby as they are running that 40% off coupon this week. I know they have those expensive OTT lamps but I wonder if they have something like this???

Edited December 15, 2011 by mikemodeler

[Harry P.]

The OTT lamps are nice but very pricey. With a 40% off coupon, not so bad, though.

[heatride]

I think the older I get the more lighting I need.

I sure understand that statement Virgil . Actually I use my optivisor most of the time .

[Junkman]

Oh those LED lamps are just the ticket.

I'm usually not into any newfangled stuff, because most of it is total rubbish, but with these LED lamps, they came up with something really brilliant (pun intended).

There is zero heat emission and they help to cut the electricity bill, too!

Too bad they all are made in China.

[Mooneyzs]

Hey Harry... thanks for tip on the LED lighting. I am going to have to check it out and pick one up. i currently have in my hobby room a flouresent shop lift hanging over my workbench. but I do a make shift workbench on my Kitchen table to i can watch TV while working on my model and i have a desk lamp that i use. But can never go wrong with more lighting.

[sjordan2]

You had a magnifier lamp just like mine. How does your new one compare in terms of the magnifying glass?

[Harry P.]

You had a magnifier lamp just like mine. How does your new one compare in terms of the magnifying glass?

Same thing. Same diameter, same 3x magnification.

[Greg Pugh]

I haven't needed a magnifier yet but I catch myself squinting here and there. I think it's coming.

[Erik Smith]

That looks like a nice lamp. I also have a FL magnifier and a replacement bulb was about as much as the lamp. I will go check out Office Depot. I also like the length of the one you picked out - my older one was shorter and got in the way when not being used as a magnifier.

[Aaronw]

I hate flourescent lights. I wasn't a fan of LEDs either, they were bright to look at but didn't really put out much light.

The past few years they have really improved. I got some LED headlamps for work 2 years ago and they are great, a real 90 foot+ lightbeam and we get 6-12 hours (hi / low setting) on a set of 4 AA batteries which is about 4x what we got with the halogen bulbs.

I can believe the use 75% less energy since so much of the power used by incandescents goes into heat. Incandescents actually make great little heaters. I've worked in many places that have used a lightbulb to keep small building like well houses from freezing.

[Harry P.]

I can believe the use 75% less energy since so much of the power used by incandescents goes into heat. Incandescents actually make great little heaters. I've worked in many places that have used a lightbulb to keep small building like well houses from freezing.

And don't forget the "Easy Bake Oven!"

[Dr. Cranky]

I just got my Optivisor and I love it.

[sjordan2]

And don't forget the "Easy Bake Oven!"

We had a secretary at the office who was the subject of kidding for years after she incinerated cupcakes in her EZ-Bake oven.

[Harry P.]

We had a secretary at the office who was the subject of kidding for years after she incinerated cupcakes in her EZ-Bake oven.

Incinerated?

What was she using for power, a 50,000 watt bulb???

[Bridgebuster]

It also says on the box that LEDs use 75% less energy than a typical light bulb, so a nice "side effect!" I don't know if it's really true, but with "truth in packaging" laws I guess they couldn't say it if it wasn't so.

For once, Harry, the label is telling the truth. LED lights use only about 10-15% of the power of incandescent bulbs. The Doc is right too, in that they are a higher temp range and do have much more "daylight looking" light and NO HEAT!!! I got one at Target that has a LED and is a flexible gooseneck extension and clamps onto my lowest shelf above the workbench. I can move it around to change the intensity of the light directly on the work. Really nice setup!

[Harry P.]

Just a little tip if any of you guys actually go to Office Depot to buy this lamp... I looked on their website first, then drove to the store to actually buy it. The price online was $41.99, the price at the store was $61. When I asked about that, they said they'd match the online price. Do not pay $61 for it!

[SuperStockAndy]

I still wouldn't even pay the $41.99 for it

[Danno]

Great info, Harry & everyone! Thanks!

Looks like it's a good time and good idea to retire the old fluoro lamp.

Edited December 16, 2011 by Danno

[dustym]

It looks like a toilet seat.

I have the old fluorescent one and it still seams to work ok, but maybe I should buy one and put it away.

[MikeMc]

I am still amazed how much a white wall gives you back light. I use a closet for my bench and have a 4' double tube f40CW fixture hung over the bench, with my round magnifier I am blinded....the white wall at the back eliminates shadows, and very little heat. The worry I have with LEDS is color temp...unless you get the $$$ ones they can really be blue toned...which could get you into paint color troubles....I use the same CW bulbs to work and paint. Color inspection is done outside in the sun....as its bright here at noon!!

I also prefer to shoot most photos outside with fill flash in the bright sun...lotsa light and sharpness follows

Edited December 16, 2011 by MikeMc