I moved my fly tying bench to the upstairs from the basement and no longer have the flourescent lighting that I used in the basement. Now I need a light for my fly tying desk and I am trying to determine whats best. What kind of lighting would you suggest? I’ve looked at the Ott-Lite’s, mainly the 13W Portable Task Lamp version, the one that folds up. Really pricey. Anyone else have any suggestions?
Tim
Tim; I don’t know what your limit for “pricey” is, of course, but you might check out Joanne Fabric’s web site. They have the entire line of the Ott lites listed for half price right now!?!
and the “daylight” brand is just as good if not cheaper.
Here’s a link to a couple of lamps I currently use and like.
http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=category_view&target=612
The two I use are the Daylight Lamp w/Magnifier and the Daylight Compact Light. The larger one is heavy with a fairly large base so I use it at my larger tying desk in the basement. For my bedroom tying station I use this Daylight Compact Light. It takes up very little space and it folds up so I can take it with me on trips.
If I had only one it would be the Compact version because of its versatility.
I think the compact folding lamp may be the best option, are the Daylight versions really as good as the others? Looks like some of the better online fly shops carry them? I have always used a long arm lamp with a regular bulb, plus a fluorescent work light up above that. Is the daylight type bulb really that different for fly tying? With my eyesight not getting any better I need all the help I can get.
Thanks guys,
Tim
Hiya Tim !
I just put together a tying space in my garage. I was in the house with it, on a tying board at the dining room table. My vise clamped to the board, and the board clamped to the table so as not to move around. In the house I was working under a hanging light fixture with 6 100watt bulbs in it. The lighting was very good, but those bulbs created way too much heat for my comfort. I tried a tying lamp, well, several. Ott, some sewing lamps, a desk lamp, …all of them seemed to get in the way somehow. In my new tying area, I have a 40 watt twin tube flourescent shop lamp hanging about four feet above the tying table. It is the best I’ve found, for my personal preference. I got the thing on sale at Ace hardware for $14.99 and it came with bulbs. It creates very little heat, and cast a light that is low on shadows, if not actually like natural light. I find it very effective, and no post or other apparatus to get in the way…my opinion…ModocDan
Yes, I really like the light that comes from my compact lamp. I like it much better than fluorescent and incandescent (regular) lighting. Easier on your eyes and shows colors more naturally than other light sources.
The more you tie the more you’ll like the softer more accurate lighting.
I have two Ott lights , one on each side of the vise. The difference between the Otts and flourescent is amazing. It sure helped with my tying. Easier on the eyes allowing you to stay at the bench longer. Joanne Fabric’s website often has the Otts onsale. In Canada, Canadian tire carrys the Otts and often they are on sale. I got a floor model Ott lamp for $40 at a Canadian tire sale.
On the other hand I saw an Ott light on sale at a lighting specialty shop for $295.00 the same one that you can buy online for $150.oo It was the same model I that got on sale for $40 You have to watch out for rip offs like that.
The portable Ott light with magnifyer is great as well. JoAnne fabric like others have mentioned has 1/2 off coupons that makes it easy (or easier) on your wallet. I have been using mine for years now. Balanced for daylight you are seeing accurate colors unlike standard flourescent lights.
Seems like the best light available, but you need to get the ‘right’ one for your situation. Great sponsor on here too.
Pricy, but wonderful lamps are the Dazor fluorescents with your choice of 2 or 3 , F15T8 lamps The 30 to 45 watt output is great enough that with its articulated arms you don’t have to have it too close to your work and the 17" length of the lamps gives you virtually shadowless light. Another plus is that you can use different combinations of “cool”, “daylight” or “warm” lamps to vary the overall light color. And with little heat.
But $300 is a heavy price. I’ve been using mine for over 30 years and have only replaced the lamp tubes. (Back then it didn’t cost $300 either.)
I bought my Ott light at JoAnn Fabrics last year. I bought the one with the magnifier option. It isn’t very convienient to use while tying so I would skip the magnifier, but the light is great and can recomend it.
I’m “Cheep” I use 2 "clamp on lite’s with the compact florescence “Daylite” bulb’s in them works as good as Jean’s “Ott” lite at a fraction of the cost…of course the “saving’s”(?) went into tying stuff:D
I may still purchase an Ott-Lite but in the meantime I stopped by a local office supply store and bought GE Reveal 60W bulbs, replaced the original bulb in my long arm lamp. The affect is pretty good, I can see much better and the bulbs box says they provide daylight lighting. A real improvement over what I had. The advantage is that now I can keep my long arm lamp which allows me more room and the chance to stretch the lighting area almost to my lap.
Tim
I have used lots of lamps over the years but for the last six I have used a McKenzie high intensity lamp. It clamps on the vise shaft and has a flexible shaft and still hasn’t burned out after six years.
Northwoods
Might want to check out cabelas as they have the Made-2-fly lights on sale I think fir abouot 14.00. I got one in the early summer and they are nice for the money and give off great light.
peartree