A Gotta have....

[Doug Campbell]

Ask anybody who's been at this a while and they'll tell you one of the most important things to doing good work is having good light. Well long story short I was looking for a new light to mount on my grinder and apalled at the prices of the goose neck type machine lights. A little searching and I found on the big auction site what I think is going to be a great alternative. Industrial sewing machine lights... I ordered 5 @ less that $15 each including shipping. Haven't got them yet but I think I'm gonna be tickled...  

[Lin Rhea]

Doug,
      Let me know how this light works out for you. I am always looking for improved lighting. It's absolutely necessary to have good lighting. Flexibility is a must. Thanks for the heads up. Lin

[kbaknife]

Thanks, Doug.
Maybe send a link along to your buddies?
That stud on the bottom gives a huge amount of potential and mounting options.
I just hope the head is up to the same standard!
I think I would wire in an in-line switch so as to save wear and tear on the built-in one. Or plug it into a switched outlet.

Never mind - I found it!

[Wampus]

I've got one with a strong magnetic base that I move around all over the shop with me.  It was kinda pricey at $30 but I sure like it.  The 18' cord means it reaches pretty much anywhere in my little shop.

  http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003199/1641/Magnetic-or-Clip-On-Base-Work-Light.aspx

[Doug Campbell]

Yep got a couple of magnetic based ones also but there's never too much light... With "dedicated" lights like these I'll probably wire thru the machine switch if possible, pretty handy to flip the grinder on and not have to worry about the light switch...

I'll keep y'all updated...

[Ray Hammond]

How did you know I was frustrated over my lighting, Doug!  Let me know if you are satisfied.

I saw those and wondered if they would work in our application....be excited to find out they're the right fix...I'll have to get some as soon as you know whether they work or not.

[Roughcountry]

Hmmmm, would they work on a sewing machine also?

[Doug Campbell]

Might work for that too Robin    

The lights came today and I'm plumb tickled with them. Of course the are made in China but appear to be very good quality for the money. I'd order em again if I needed more but five should fill most of my needs for a while....

[NightHawk]

I would wonder about the vibrations and their effect on the lights?

[Doug Campbell]

Can't imagine vibration would be a concern, had similiar lights mounted on machinery for 25+ years and no problems...

[markfromark]

I'm not a knife maker (although I have made a few), but I do turn lots of wood on my lathes.  I use a Moffat light with flex arm (similar in design to the ones you posted here) and it works great.  Only one time have I had an issue with vibration (an off-balance chunk of wood spinning too fast on the mini lathe) and that caused the bulb to blow, but didn't bother the light.  I bought two so I'd have a backup, but have been using the first one for about 3 years now with no issues.  I have a detachable base mounted to my big lathe and a magnetic base on my mini.

[kbaknife]

Use the daylight florescent bulbs and vibration isn't an issue.
No filament to rattle loose.

[inrut]

Second the florescent daylight bulb! They work well for detail work!!!