Got a new Moffatt style Lamp

[Mark Hepburn]

Got a new Moffatt Lamp from Amazon yesterday for the big lathe, which doesn't have a lot of light-friendly attach points. This one has a magnetic base and the reason I'm posting is because the topic comes up regularly and just wanted to give a thumbs up on this one.

The magnet will hold the light absolutely parallel if you want with no slippage. Big plus for me, since I've mounted it to my tool rest post. I'm using a 1500 lumen LED bulb that I got for $8. I don't think I'll ever replace the bulb unless I break it.

The lamp was $65 which is spendy but still, when I consider all the money that i've spent on task lighting over the years this comes in on the plus side of the ledger.

Down side: the flex neck (24" long) is quite stiff so you can't just adjust it on the fly very easily.

Here's a link:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089DVW3Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Disclaimer: I don't own Amazon.com :-D


Oh, and the photos are for you Odie. I didn't clean the shop before I took the pics

 

[Owen Lowe]

I like the Moffats, Mark. I’ve had two for many years (12-15?); I use mine for broad task lighting and IKEA LED lamps for spot lighting. One is over my lathe — {note to self: find another attachment point a little closer to the work} — and the only time I’ve had failure is when a chunk of wood flew off and shattered the bulb. I now use a Moffat wire cage bulb protector!

 

[Mark Hepburn]

A cage is a good idea, Owen. I think I'll do a search for one . Or, I may put a piece of scrap Lexan over the opening. Drill a few holes for the minimal heat that the LED puts out.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

I have several Moffats and like them alot with led bulbs; 2 on the lathe and 1 on the Laguna band saw. Mine are all fastened to the screw post-- that's a strong magnet you got there.

Get a cage bulb cover.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Tom, yes that is a strong magnet for sure. And yes I am going to get a cage. It's not worth the hassle to make something when I can just get a cage for a couple of bucks.

I have some of the Cindy Drozda lights and they're nice but I think as I can I'll add a couple of these.

 

[Justin Stephen]

I've had a Moffat parked on top of my PM for a couple of years now. However, I recently picked up one of the Aurora magnetic lamps from Ken Rizza and it has surpassed the Moffat as my favorite, mostly owing to how flexible of a neck it has.

 

[Owen Lowe]

Here’s the link to the Moffat bulb guard:
http://www.moffattproducts.com/Snap-On-Guard-P69.aspx

 

[Odie]

Oh, and the photos are for you Odie. I didn't clean the shop before I took the pics

Now.......that's more like it!

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Here’s the link to the Moffat bulb guard:
http://www.moffattproducts.com/Snap-On-Guard-P69.aspx

Thanks Owen. Five dollars or two hours diddling around with a piece of lexan? No brainer.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I've had a Moffat parked on top of my PM for a couple of years now. However, I recently picked up one of the Aurora magnetic lamps from Ken Rizza and it has surpassed the Moffat as my favorite, mostly owing to how flexible of a neck it has.

I've had a Moffat parked on top of my PM for a couple of years now. However, I recently picked up one of the Aurora magnetic lamps from Ken Rizza and it has surpassed the Moffat as my favorite, mostly owing to how flexible of a neck it has.

Justin, I bought a set of CBN wheels from Ken and saw that Light. I thought about it. Especially appealing was the 30" neck, and the photo he has of it extended horizontally almost sealed the deal for me.

 

[robo hippy]

I have had a couple of the Moffat lamp switches go bad on me. Dust and or abuse/worn connectors. I do like them though. I do like the on/off switch for the magnetic base that Ken Rizza sells.

robo hippy

 

[Odie]

I have used the Moffett lamps where I used to work. They are good industrial quality lamps. For myself, I don't see the need to replace the two lamps that have been on my headstock for three decades! I've replaces switches, but the lamps themselves are still working fine.

Funny this subject came up now, because I did make up a sewing machine lamp base for specialty use on the headstock, just a few days ago. Specifically, it can be positioned for seeing clearly the cut when I part a bowl away from the wasteblock, plus it's working out well for seeing the interior of bowls that have inward slanting walls. Will try to get a picture later on this afternoon..........It's one of those things that weren't working out as good as it could have been, until my mental light bulb turned on. It was totally redone a couple days ago.

Here are the three lamps, but the little LED sewing machine lamp now has a re-designed mount that works out much better.
As I look at this photo, I'm wow'ed as to how many changes that naturally evolve in my shop!

ko

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Odie, I have that exact sewing machine light. Actually a couple of them. On my band saw and miter saw. They're good little lights.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I have a couple Moffatt lights ... one with a magnetic base on my bandsaw and the other with a quick release stud that is attached to a home brew adapter to fit my lathe.



I cut the head off a bolt and used a jam nut, star washer, and locknut to fasten it to a piece of flat bar stock. I had a green vinyl cap that I used to cover the exposed threads to dress it up a bit.

Here is where it attaches to the headstock.



I found a small LED floodlight that is very bright and fits perfectly in the Moffatt lamp. Finally, here it is along with a couple small IKEA task lights in use on my lathe. I spruced the place up just for you, Odie.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I just know Odie appreciates that Bill.

I like that setup for the Moffatt light. I am thinking about one for my Jet lathe and using thet hole where that cage thingie used to be. I don't know what it's called. I only know I never put it on

I'll now call it a Moffatt light socket.

I also use those Ikea lights, which are identical to the ones Cindy Drozda sells. Actually, I bought mine from here in Phoenix and then a couple more in Pittsburgh.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I just know Odie appreciates that Bill.

I like that setup for the Moffatt light. I am thinking about one for my Jet lathe and using thet hole where that cage thingie used to be. I don't know what it's called. I only know I never put it on

I'll now call it a Moffatt light socket.

I also use those Ikea lights, which are identical to the ones Cindy Drozda sells. Actually, I bought mine from here in Phoenix and then a couple more in Pittsburgh.

I aim to please and one of these days I might even do a deep cleaning.

That hole on your lathe is a lamp holder hole. That other thing that was attached to your lathe is a deep fat fryer basket. It's an accessory that Jet includes on its lathes bound for Louisiana, knowing that catfish and alligators are two of the favorites there. Just a little lagniappe.

Being a frugal woodturner, I bought several IKEA lamps that came with weighted bases for about $11 apiece and bought the magnetic base for about $3 at Ace Hardware. I have seen them selling for nearly forty dollars at various places.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Bill, that's good to know. Because I lost my turkey fryer basket and Christmas is right around the corner.

Actually the lights I have from Cindy, I also got three from IKEA, for about that same cost. Jansjo I Think they are called, and then I got some big magnets from Amazon that I think were like five bucks apiece or something. Much uglier but work great. With my eyesight being what it is I can never have too much light in the shop

 

[Odie]

The little sewing machine lamp is now mounted to a swivel head that's attached to a steel plate, and has magnets at the other end. It can be mounted at a couple locations for maximum usability.

Positioned on the interior, it's the best light for this purpose I've had to date:

When parting a finished bowl from the wasteblock, the lamp is positioned to shine on a piece of white shelving placed below the work. As the bowl is parted, I can see very clearly, just how deep the cut has progressed, and how much is left to go. This is also the best solution for this purpose I've had. This old dog is still learning new tricks......hope I never get to the point where I can't continue to make improvements!

I no longer have any spare sewing machine lamps, and I see they are really cheap right now. I ordered two more of them a few hours ago......less than $5 each on eBay, shipping included!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182313442533?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

ko

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

When y'all get the cataracts off you will not need all those lights.

 

[Bill Boehme]

For general lighting, I saw this LED light in Rockler Hardware several weeks ago and bought it. Like Tim the tool guy, I had to get the big one ... 4,400 lumens, color temperature 4000K, CRI 80, 50,000 hours life. And no, I'm not a gadget junkie ... I got it strictly for evaluation purposes.

That thing is incredibly bright ... like solar bright and yet the heat sink only gets warm.

 

[Fred Belknap]

That thing is incredibly bright ... like solar bright and yet the heat sink only gets warm.

Is the reflector shatter proof, like plastic or metal??

 

[Dave Fritz]

This works well for me. http://www.turnrobust.com/product/lamp-set/

 

[Mark Hepburn]

When y'all get the cataracts off you will not need all those lights.

I am told that I'll be needing that in a couple of years. But if I weigh the cost of that against adding a few more lights, well hmm let's see

 

[Mark Hepburn]

This works well for me. http://www.turnrobust.com/product/lamp-set/

Dave, does it ever become an issue for larger diameter turnings like platters? I like that idea a lot and it will definitely adapt to my big lathe.

Just wondering for the jet too

 

[Mark Hepburn]

For general lighting, I saw this LED light in Rockler Hardware several weeks ago and bought it. Like Tim the tool guy, I had to get the big one ... 4,400 lumens, color temperature 4000K, CRI 80, 50,000 hours life. And no, I'm not a gadget junkie ... I got it strictly for evaluation purposes.

That thing is incredibly bright ... like solar bright and yet the heat sink only gets warm.

That's a lot of lumens for a fixture of that type and would be great in my finishing "room" - which is a corner of a room with drop cloth walls

 

[Barry Crowder]

For general lighting, I saw this LED light in Rockler Hardware several weeks ago and bought it. Like Tim the tool guy, I had to get the big one ... 4,400 lumens, color temperature 4000K, CRI 80, 50,000 hours life. And no, I'm not a gadget junkie ... I got it strictly for evaluation purposes.

That thing is incredibly bright ... like solar bright and yet the heat sink only gets warm.

I got some LED tubes that are also 4000K and about 4000 lumens, staggered across the shop. It's nice to have adequate light, finally.

The $10 IKEA light is still useful, but you can tell it's much warmer than the LED lights. I'm guessing around 3000K. I like having warmer lights for task lighting and cooler lights for general workshop.

 

[RichColvin]

I added the PowerMatic Lamp Kit (http://www.powermatic.com/us/en/p/lamp-kit-for-3520b/6294901K) to my 3520, & I really like it. I believe it uses the Moffett lights.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Is the reflector shatter proof, like plastic or metal??

It's aluminum.

 

[Dave Fritz]

Dave, does it ever become an issue for larger diameter turnings like platters? I like that idea a lot and it will definitely adapt to my big lathe.

Just wondering for the jet too

It's easy to swivel it out of the way. The moffatt lamp by itself would be a problem.

I put it on an early Liberty and Brent made a receiver that I simply mounted to my lathe. I'm sure he could do that for any lathe but you could call and ask.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Thanks Dave. I think I will. It still amazes me that you can just call and Brent answers the phone. But he often does.

 

[Bill Boehme]

That's a lot of lumens for a fixture of that type and would be great in my finishing "room" - which is a corner of a room with drop cloth walls

I found that the LED lamp also works well for photography. Here are some pictures showing the set up that I used.


The light and umbrella are sort of cobbled together, but it worked.



The graduated background is Flotone Thunder Gray from B&H. I have a sheet of Formica and 1/8" Baltic Birch plywood to create a curved sweep. I use white and black pieces of foamboard to modify the light.




I have my camera about ten feet away on a gimbal mount. I'm using a 70 - 200 mm lens which covers most things without needing to move the camera position. The two targets ae a WhiBal white balance card and an X-rite Passport for creating custom color profiles.




What the camera sees.



Anyway, I really like the LED for photography. It beats the heck out of the 500 watt photo floodlights that I have been using. My latest piece in the gallery, Celebration Basket, was shot with this set up.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Bill, nice gear you have there. And a lovely home too.

 

[hockenbery]

And a lovely home too.

I was thinking - too much extraneous furniture in @Bill Boehme 's photo studio.

Nice seeing the set up!

 

[John Torchick]

Good idea on the LED lamp. $65? Don't you wish that other turning things were priced like that? I have an old desk lamp that hangs on the wall over the lathe. The cord is long enough to use it over the lathe or the workbench.
"A clean shop is the indication of a warped mind."

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I was thinking - too much extraneous furniture in @Bill Boehme 's photo studio.

Nice seeing the set up!

Al, you're right. I think Bill must be doing wedding photography on the side too. A little lounge area, nice table for cake tastings, nice Area 51 poster to put the bride at ease...

 

[Tom Albrecht]

Got a new Moffatt Lamp from Amazon yesterday for the big lathe, which doesn't have a lot of light-friendly attach points. This one has a magnetic base and the reason I'm posting is because the topic comes up regularly and just wanted to give a thumbs up on this one.

The magnet will hold the light absolutely parallel if you want with no slippage. Big plus for me, since I've mounted it to my tool rest post. I'm using a 1500 lumen LED bulb that I got for $8. I don't think I'll ever replace the bulb unless I break it.

The lamp was $65 which is spendy but still, when I consider all the money that i've spent on task lighting over the years this comes in on the plus side of the ledger.

Down side: the flex neck (24" long) is quite stiff so you can't just adjust it on the fly very easily.

Here's a link:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089DVW3Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Disclaimer: I don't own Amazon.com :-D


Oh, and the photos are for you Odie. I didn't clean the shop before I took the pics


View attachment 21467 View attachment 21468

Wow! Whodathunkit that a Moffatt lamp thread could get 35 replies? BUT, here's another (my second). I opened your link for the heck of it and discovered the optional magnifying glass attachment-- it just arrived today and it's great. I may have to get another for the grinder.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Yeah Tom, it's kind of funny. You never know where a thread will end up going. Which is a lot of fun I think. I'm going to have to go back and check that link because a magnifying glass would be great. I didn't even notice it.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Bill, nice gear you have there. And a lovely home too.

I was thinking - too much extraneous furniture in @Bill Boehme 's photo studio.

Nice seeing the set up!

Thanks. Yes, rightfully it is my art studio for photography and woodturning.

I need to figure out the best approach to mentioning that if we could possibly relocate that sewing machine and table then there would be room for my Robust American Beauty. That French Provincial tool storage cabinet in the background is a little over the top with its glass doors, but I suppose that it could stay.

Al, you're right. I think Bill must be doing wedding photography on the side too. A little lounge area, nice table for cake tastings, nice Area 51 poster to put the bride at ease...

You are absolutely right and the Area 51 poster does go a long way in setting the mood. Actually my wedding photography career was short lived ... just one wedding to be exact. It wasn't until later that I discovered that the film never did properly engage in the take up spool when I loaded it in the camera. (Note to kids who grew up in the digital age: this is highly technical stuff that you wouldn't understand it anyway). In the long run it was for the better because the union didn't last although the bride probably would have derived some enjoyment from destroying the pictures. Ever since then I only photograph inanimate objects.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Good idea on the LED lamp. $65? Don't you wish that other turning things were priced like that?....

Our club members get a discount at the local Rockler's and Woodcraft stores so I think that I paid about $54 , but then there was sales tax.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

That French Provincial tool storage cabinet in the background is a little over the top with its glass doors, but I suppose that it could stay.

Drying kiln? Or maybe just keep the nice gouges in there. But I'd put some hardware cloth over that glass for safety's sake.