Dual purpose desk/work light

fajimr · « **on:** 10 May 2007, 01:26 pm »

hope this isn't OT for this circle ... getting ready to build my Aspen GK1 preamp and want a better light source than what I used last time (read: aging eyes)...

But the catch here is that I will be building this in my den on my desk and would therefore like to buy a light that would serve double duty. Therefore I wouldn't want anything too industrial looking (e.g. those round lights with the magnifying glass in the middle wouldn't really work in this situation)...

any ideas, if not specific then general types of lamps to look for. hoping not to spend too much

TIA, as always
jim

fajimr · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 May 2007, 03:04 pm »

so everyone is just working in the dark

nothing special out there? just a regular incandescent bulb?

Occam · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 May 2007, 03:45 pm »

Fajimir,

There are simply no good lights, especially with magnifyers that fit in a home environment, unless the look you're going for is gynecologist's examination room

It all depends on how much of a doofus you want to look like.....
I use a headband mounted like this -

as well as a magnifying visor, as my eyesight isn't very good.
They actually make a combined visor magnifying/lit visor for that complete dork look -

http://www.ehobbytools.com/en-us/dept_67.html

a simple google search for 'led head light' or 'magnifying visor' will provide many opportunities to completely humiliate yourself.

ctviggen · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 May 2007, 03:55 pm »

Paul, where'd you get the top one? I'd love to have one of those for working on projects. I feel even more like a dufus with a flashlight stuck in my mouth. (Not to mentions it's very hard to aim a flashlight that way, and it's probably not good for my teeth.)

Occam · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 May 2007, 04:00 pm »

Bob-
http://www.theledlight.com/LEDheadlamps.html

The one I use is just a single led, but I paid more for it than these which are less expensive and from the same manufacturer.

ctviggen · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 May 2007, 04:05 pm »

Thanks, Paul. I need to get me one of those!

fajimr · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 May 2007, 05:16 pm »

a headlamp!!! BRILLANT.. why didn't I think of that - I have one too

you should see me trying to adjust my son's retainer with a headlamp AND a magnifying glass in hand

so that magnifying duo looks like it might fit the bill

that's why I come to the collective knowledge here, first. thanks Paul

Poindexter · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 May 2007, 07:41 pm »

Interesting, this same question came up over at Karma. Ray-O-Vac makes a killer headband-light for about ten bucks, any Lowe's will have them. It has two reds (to keep your dark vision), a single ultrabright white, and an incandescent on a three way switch. They could have left off the incandescent, I've never used it.

It's maybe the single most useful tool I own. There's always plenty of light, always in exactly the right place.

If you want a regular lamp, Martha Stewart makes one called an 'Architects work lamp', that's nice looking and real useful. Stainless with a single incandescent, it stands up to 32" tall and articulates around, so you can get the light where you want. I have one on my bench, and one here on the machine desk.

Aloha,

Poinz