Will compact fluorescent bulbs fit in the Moffat lamp? I'm thinking the ballast may be a problem.
Has anyone tried this?
Frank
Has anyone tried this?
Frank
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CF bulbs and Moffat Lamps
- Thread starter Frank F
- Start date
I use a 100w in mine. Works fine. Dust gets gets caught up in the bulb a lot easier and all I do is use the air gun to clean it after sanding.
Thanks.
I knew I'd get a reply by the end of the day, but 8 minutes. WOW!
I knew I'd get a reply by the end of the day, but 8 minutes. WOW!
Steve Worcester
Admin Emeritus
I have one in there, but can't out the bulb guard on. I am sure some will and some won't.
The one I got was higher wattage and color balanced.
The one I got was higher wattage and color balanced.
Hi Frank!
I also use a CF bulb (daylight color balance) in my Moffatt light, and similarly experience the build-up of sanding dust on the surfaces of the bulb that Sean noted - to the point that I was wondering why the light output of the bulb had dropped-off so soon over the relatively short time I had been using the CF bulb......it turned out to be a major layer of "static-attracted" sanding dust on the glass portions of the bulb. I also blow-out the bulb/lamp-holder into the dust-collection hood at the end of every turning session.
One benefit of using the CF bulb vs a conventional incandescent is the significantly less heat generated by the CF - if you are turning wet wood, you don't get nearly the same amount of heating of the wood surface of the piece of you have the lamp close to the work. I've stopped the lathe with an incandescent bulb turned on, and just left for only a few minutes to take a phone call - 5 minutes later when I returned the piece had already developed some small drying checks where the light had been heating it. The CF bulbs don't contribute much to this heating problem compared to incandescents!
The down side (besides the dust accumulation) is if you use the CF bulbs in a cold environment - they do not work nearly as well below or just above freezing. I had a few CF's that I was using on some tools in my garage (fortunately I have a heated basement shop where I turn), and found that they don't have nearly the same light output when used during very cold weather. If your shop is in your garage, or is unheated (...and I see that you're from Mass.), the CF's may be less than optimal if used "cold".
Note: Some CF's physical size may preclude their use in the Moffatt Light (been there - done that) especially with the wire safety cover in place. Depending on brand, and design of the glass 'coil', some CF's may fit and some may not. You may have to try several sizes to make it to fit properly.
Rob Wallace
I also use a CF bulb (daylight color balance) in my Moffatt light, and similarly experience the build-up of sanding dust on the surfaces of the bulb that Sean noted - to the point that I was wondering why the light output of the bulb had dropped-off so soon over the relatively short time I had been using the CF bulb......it turned out to be a major layer of "static-attracted" sanding dust on the glass portions of the bulb. I also blow-out the bulb/lamp-holder into the dust-collection hood at the end of every turning session.
One benefit of using the CF bulb vs a conventional incandescent is the significantly less heat generated by the CF - if you are turning wet wood, you don't get nearly the same amount of heating of the wood surface of the piece of you have the lamp close to the work. I've stopped the lathe with an incandescent bulb turned on, and just left for only a few minutes to take a phone call - 5 minutes later when I returned the piece had already developed some small drying checks where the light had been heating it. The CF bulbs don't contribute much to this heating problem compared to incandescents!
The down side (besides the dust accumulation) is if you use the CF bulbs in a cold environment - they do not work nearly as well below or just above freezing. I had a few CF's that I was using on some tools in my garage (fortunately I have a heated basement shop where I turn), and found that they don't have nearly the same light output when used during very cold weather. If your shop is in your garage, or is unheated (...and I see that you're from Mass.), the CF's may be less than optimal if used "cold".
Note: Some CF's physical size may preclude their use in the Moffatt Light (been there - done that) especially with the wire safety cover in place. Depending on brand, and design of the glass 'coil', some CF's may fit and some may not. You may have to try several sizes to make it to fit properly.
Rob Wallace
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New Question about Moffett Lamps
The switch in one of my moffet lamps seems to have died. Unfortunately, I've thrown away all of the packaging for the lamp. Does anyone out there know how I can contact the company for possible repairs?
Matt
The switch in one of my moffet lamps seems to have died. Unfortunately, I've thrown away all of the packaging for the lamp. Does anyone out there know how I can contact the company for possible repairs?
Matt
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I use one sometimes
as rob said, the lack of heat is an advantage in using light to turn to thickness it doesn't dry out the wood like hot bulb.
dust build up is a problem.
Happy turning
Al
as rob said, the lack of heat is an advantage in using light to turn to thickness it doesn't dry out the wood like hot bulb.
dust build up is a problem.
Happy turning
Al
Kurt B,
Thanks for the information. I spoke with the customer service folks this morning and the lamp will be on the way there.
Matt
Thanks for the information. I spoke with the customer service folks this morning and the lamp will be on the way there.
Matt
Matt, is there a charge for the switch repair?
Customer service asked that I send the lamp to them with my contact information. They will inspect it and then get back to me. Actually, I do expect some kind of charge because it is not an off-the-shelf item.
Matt
Matt:
Could you please let us know what the total costs are for repair, whether you can buy just the replacement switch or not, and about how long the process takes. I think this would be of interest to a lot of people here - there are many Moffatt lights in use by turners!
Thanks for posting!
Rob Wallace
I purchased a Moffat lamp from eBay and, not liking the poor quality of the power cord added by a previous owner, replaced it.
If the switch is available from Moffat, it is a relatively simple project to replace.
The Goodwin Manufacturing Giraffe lamps (and other medical and dental exam lamp re-packagers) use the same switch I believe.
If the switch is available from Moffat, it is a relatively simple project to replace.
The Goodwin Manufacturing Giraffe lamps (and other medical and dental exam lamp re-packagers) use the same switch I believe.
Last edited:
Steve Worcester
Admin Emeritus
Same lamps, definitely not the same price though. I miss Gary Sanders being a dealer or these. I have about a dozen of them. All different length goosenecks and cords.
Gary Sanders was cool about the way he sold his lamps. I purchased one from him a few years ago. First sent him an e-mail with an enquiry about the lamp and cost, etc. Received an e-mail back with the info and I promply ordered one from Gary. I asked about the price total with shipping and he said he would just ship one out and include the invoice with the shipment and I was to send him a check after I received it - the problem being that he did not know how much to charge for shipping and did not want to over charge me for the actual shipping. I commented about how trusting he was and he told me that in dealing with woodturners he had not been burned yet. Pretty cool. I do like his light setup.
Hugh
Hugh
Moffatt Lamp Return
Well I got the lamp back today. I think that the ride in the UPS truck must have knocked some of the dust out of the switch, because the moment they turned it on, it worked. Anyway, they swapped out the switch (a toggle kit #SKT at $10.00 is available and recommended for dusty environments) because they did find some dust in there and mounted a protective rubber boot (#MLTB for $5.65) to prevent any more dust from getting into the switch. They did this at no charge. I am going to order enough of the toggle switches and boots to take care of all of the moffatt lamps that I own.
Matt
Well I got the lamp back today. I think that the ride in the UPS truck must have knocked some of the dust out of the switch, because the moment they turned it on, it worked. Anyway, they swapped out the switch (a toggle kit #SKT at $10.00 is available and recommended for dusty environments) because they did find some dust in there and mounted a protective rubber boot (#MLTB for $5.65) to prevent any more dust from getting into the switch. They did this at no charge. I am going to order enough of the toggle switches and boots to take care of all of the moffatt lamps that I own.
Matt
Thank you for the follow-up Matt!
Excellent information!
Matt:
Thanks very much for this information! Is there any additional information about contacts that should be made (Customer Service, a specific office or individual, phone number, e-mail contact info, etc.) for service?? This kind of info should be communicated to woodturners who might want to get in touch with Moffat. This is info that should be included in woodturners club's newsletters!! - I will also post this to my Woodturning Links web site which I hope to update after I return from the Symposium.
If you'll be at the Symnposium later this week, perhaps I can meet you in person!
I thinks there wil be a lot of turners who will benefit from your experience and info posted here!
Cheers!
Rob Wallace
Matt:
Thanks very much for this information! Is there any additional information about contacts that should be made (Customer Service, a specific office or individual, phone number, e-mail contact info, etc.) for service?? This kind of info should be communicated to woodturners who might want to get in touch with Moffat. This is info that should be included in woodturners club's newsletters!! - I will also post this to my Woodturning Links web site which I hope to update after I return from the Symposium.
If you'll be at the Symnposium later this week, perhaps I can meet you in person!
I thinks there wil be a lot of turners who will benefit from your experience and info posted here!
Cheers!
Rob Wallace
Hi Rob,
As for the Symposium, I will be there. Here is the info that you asked for:
Ms. Shawna Warne, Customer Service at Moffatt Inc.
Phone: (800)346-0761
Local Phone: (605)886-5700
Fax: (605)886-5756
Email: Shawnaw@moffattproducts.com
Moffatt Products, Inc.
222 Cessna Street
Watertown, SD 57201
Moffat Lamps
Matt,
Thanks for going above and beyond on this question. Have fun in Albuquerque.😀
Matt,
Thanks for going above and beyond on this question. Have fun in Albuquerque.😀