danny Posted October 21 Report Share Posted October 21 Well after a Decade Plus I really want a New Light System for Scrolling. Been looking and I just decided to ask the Family. Love that.... So any tips on a really good set up? Danny :+} OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankEV Posted October 21 Report Share Posted October 21 Really good setup??? I'm sure there going to be a lot different "good setup" suggestion's. My setup is good, but not necessarily really good, for me. I use a typical 5X Mag light w/an LED ring light. However, I do supplement that light with a high intensity goose neck light that mounts to the side of the saw with a magnetic base. This light shines directly on the blade and creates a very visible shadow from where the blade intersects the pattern. This shadow helps me see the blade and follow the line more accurately. My 2 cents. barb.j.enders, sydknee, Rolf and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted October 21 Report Share Posted October 21 I have purchased one expensive magnifying light and one Harbor Freight. The Harbor Freight one works best for my eyes. The expensive one has an LED light that is too bright for me. It has a glass lens instead of plastic. I like the glass but it is too powerful of magnification. A lot depends on your eyesight and preferences. OCtoolguy and danny 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted October 21 Report Share Posted October 21 25 minutes ago, FrankEV said: Really good setup??? I'm sure there going to be a lot different "good setup" suggestion's. My setup is good, but not necessarily really good, for me. I use a typical 5X Mag light w/an LED ring light. However, I do supplement that light with a high intensity goose neck light that mounts to the side of the saw with a magnetic base. This light shines directly on the blade and creates a very visible shadow from where the blade intersects the pattern. This shadow helps me see the blade and follow the line more accurately. My 2 cents. Frank, can you offer any info on your magnetic light? I've seen a few that magnetically mount to the sides of the upper arm. It seems like they were for sewing machines or something like that. About $10-15 ea. Can you maybe show a pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted October 21 Report Share Posted October 21 All magnifier lights come like glasses in that they have a rating of magnification. I have and suggest that you look at architects and draftsman mag lights. That is what I got years ago. I had a highend art store that carried things like that. they carried all the paints and canvases and things like that. They had the tables that draftspeople use. It was a nice store. Maybe you have something like that in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 I really like my lighted magnifier that I purchased from Advanced Machinery. They are the company that sells Hegners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankEV Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 1 hour ago, OCtoolguy said: Frank, can you offer any info on your magnetic light? .... Can you maybe show a pic? Here is my light. I guess it is about 4 years old now as I got it when I got my Pegas saw. I can't even find a brand name on it. Has Chinese writing on it. The lamp does get in the way of the cut panel ocassionally. One reason I use spiral blades a lot - no spining th panel so it does not hit the light. It was around $40, if I remember correctly. Very much worth it, IMO. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 (edited) I use sewing machine lights. They are cheap, effective, and very versatile. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088ZBPNPH/ I have two magnifying lamps. I don't use them for scrolling; I find them annoying. Edited October 22 by BadBob OCtoolguy, jollyred and Michael B. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barb.j.enders Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 I have a 4' led shop light overhead for general lighting. I have, but don't use often, a magnifying light. I also have, but don't use often, the same light as @BadBob. I need to get a bigger power bar because I have run out of spaces to plug in the extra lights. OCtoolguy and Michael B. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelCass Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 (edited) Hubby bought me this light for Christmas last year. Game changer! It has a heavy duty magnetic in the base that is controlled by the switch and clamps onto the scroll saw table. It doesn't get in my way as it sits at the back of the table. Since my saw has nil vibration that is not a issue. The light is very bright, and the flexible neck lets me move the light wherever I need it. Was purchased from Amazon. Edited October 23 by ChelCass Better pictures. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 It is very pricey but after I took a class from Judy Gale Roberts I purchased this light from her. I don’t scroll without it. I got it 8 years ago and if memory serves it was about $150. https://intarsia.com/products/daylight-omega-5-magnifying-led-lamp?_pos=34&_sid=00dd55174&_ss=r OCtoolguy, JTTHECLOCKMAN and danny 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 I have both the Fluorescent and LED light magnifiers on my website. I use mine all the time. NC Scroller, danny and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rash_powder Posted October 22 Report Share Posted October 22 I have a set of these 'sewing machine' lights. One on each side of the blade as close to the work as I can get them without them being in the way. Nice and bright, no shadows. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Y66V128/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&th=1 OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael B. Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 14 hours ago, BadBob said: I use sewing machine lights. They are cheap, effective, and very versatile. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088ZBPNPH/ I have two magnifying lamps. I don't use them for scrolling; I find them annoying. Total rookie question: Are those mounted to the sides of the arm? If so, don’t they fly around when the saw is running? I’m just trying to figure out the best way to mount something like that. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 58 minutes ago, Michael B. said: Total rookie question: Are those mounted to the sides of the arm? If so, don’t they fly around when the saw is running? I’m just trying to figure out the best way to mount something like that. The arm doesn't move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael B. Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 1 hour ago, OCtoolguy said: The arm doesn't move. Sorry… I’m an idiot. I see that now. Thanks for the reply! danny and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 8 hours ago, Michael B. said: Total rookie question: Are those mounted to the sides of the arm? If so, don’t they fly around when the saw is running? I’m just trying to figure out the best way to mount something like that. They are mounted with magnets. The lamps come with adhesive-backed metal plates that you can put on nonmetal (plastic) surfaces. They stay put. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustynail Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 On 10/22/2024 at 7:09 AM, BadBob said: I use sewing machine lights. They are cheap, effective, and very versatile. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088ZBPNPH/ Plus one here I have the same set up and they work great, small and light up well. Not sure the brand I have but look to be about the same. Also with two like this you don't get any shadows. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael B. Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 2 hours ago, BadBob said: They are mounted with magnets. The lamps come with adhesive-backed metal plates that you can put on nonmetal (plastic) surfaces. They stay put. Great — thanks, Bob! OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 (edited) I bought my magnifier lights from Menards years ago.. they started out as the circular fluorescents but when I got my first Hawk scroll saw with the spring loaded upper arm that just pops up when you break a blade and being new to the saw I broke many blades trying to learn the tension system on it. Anyway broke a blade and the arm popped up and busted my bulb, .. So I did some searching for bulbs and run across the circle LED replacements.. that was a game changer on the same cheap light by just replacing the broken bulb... go figure I liked that LED bulb so much I bought 3 more for the other lights even those they hadn't been broken yet. Oh and the LED bulb is made of some pretty good plastic.. but you can still break one unfortunately.. Darn Hegner has a spring loaded arm too and the up front tension lever that sticks up 3 inches above the upper arm.. I'm learning to place my light out farther from the arms should a blade break.. Edited: I should mention that the Menards light is basic same thing as HF light other than HF has a cover to flip up to protect the lens. Also when you're out of the shop place a rag or something over the magnifier so no light can pass through it.. last thing you need is to start a fire from sun shining through the magnifier Edited October 23 by kmmcrafts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 Yep, I cracked the plastic cover that protects the bulb on my mag light when I broke a blade. I have also modified my Hegner so the arm will go up higher, so I have to be extra careful. I will be looking for an LED. light to replace the bulb that came with my Hawk. It is from 2004 I may not find one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rash_powder Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 Quote 14 hours ago, Michael B. said: Total rookie question: Are those mounted to the sides of the arm? If so, don’t they fly around when the saw is running? I’m just trying to figure out the best way to mount something like that. They stick with magnets, or as said with small metal plates that they then stick to. I also use a lighted magnifier, and a small accessory light for an auto from Menard's. Its really a phenomenal amount of light on my work, probably overkill, but it makes things much easier when there are no shadows due to light from a single point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 1 hour ago, Scrappile said: Yep, I cracked the plastic cover that protects the bulb on my mag light when I broke a blade. I have also modified my Hegner so the arm will go up higher, so I have to be extra careful. I will be looking for an LED. light to replace the bulb that came with my Hawk. It is from 2004 I may not find one. This is the one I buy for mine.. Notice how the electrical connector swivels.. most of them do not have this option and don't fit real well with the correct angle to plug it in all the way without making the bulb be placed in an awkward position.. so I buy these ones or at least look for the ones with a swivel plug. https://www.ebay.com/itm/222261066257 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 I would be replacing a Florscant light do you need to switch the ballast in them? OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 7 minutes ago, Scrappile said: I would be replacing a Florscant light do you need to switch the ballast in them? I didn't need to change anything other than the bulb.. I also went from fluorescent to the LED bulb. I also picked up a LED bulb from Menards that worked pretty good but didn't have the swivel plug so it doesn't fit in the spot as good as it should but I've not had any issues with it either. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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