Would like all your opinions on tying lights.I am in the market for a new one and would like to know your likes and dislikes about what you have.Thans in advance for your input.
For years I’ve used a good quality large magnifying lamp for my tying. I’d read about Ott lights but never felt the need to add one. Then I found an Ott light on sale at mylocal Hobby Lobby at a price that was so cheap, I could pass it up. The difference is amazing. If all you’re lookng for is a tying light, then I don’t think you can go wrong with the Ott light task model.
Jim Smith
I have a double gooseneck desk lamp that I equipped with 2-23 watt compact [FONT=arial]fluorescent bulbs The whole st up cost less than $20.00.
Likes- cheap and a huge amount of light.
Dislikes- takes a couple minutes for the bulbs to warm up and put out their maximim amount of light.
A little bit of advice…stay away from anything labeled “fly tying”. It will cost you twice as much as something in the “real world”.
Happy Shopping!!
Brad
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I have a 13 watt CFL in the floor lamp beside the desk, but the 100-watt halogen lamp with the flexible arm (Wal-Mart, about $15) is much nicer to use for tying. And reading.
As Jim Smith did, I got a super buy on an Ott light task light. Now I’m sorry I only bought 1.
In addition to being a great light, they are compact & travel easily.
Mike
You can find the re-chargable Ott light at Lowe’s for $35.00. MSRP $129.98! It’s a bit bulky and the battery is only good for about an hour but it realy lights up the fly you’re tying. I seldom use the battery anyway.
Whether or not the Ott’s are significantly better for the money than other daylight lights is an ongoing discussion…there are often days when there are good sales but day to day I think it is hard to beat this lamp.
http://www.esplighting.com/1147.html
note the price
note it is 27 watts…most of the others are 13 or 18…I feel the more the merrier.
I’ve had mine for some time and got it at Home Depot…at that time on sale for $19.99
took the base off and mounted it direct to my table…less foot print.
You can see it in place here…I have subsequently removed the clamp on white lamp you see since with 27 watts it is unnecessary.
Cabela’s has this on sale for a limited time like 5 days only.http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home/5-Day-Sale-Fishing-Gear%7C/pc/105625080/c/111572280/Cabelas-Clamp-On-Magnifier-Lamp/743094.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D111572280%26WTz_l%3DHome%253Bcat107032680&WTz_l=Home%3Bcat107032680%3Bcat111572280
Ott Task Lamp (w/battery)
Good: compact, portable, cool, cheap enough at the right places
Bad: Insufficient height, minimal reach, low output, ridiculous list price
Halogen task lamp
Good: affordable; decent height & reach, available everywhere
Bad: hot; base occupies too much space on small desk
Goodwin Mfg Giraffe http://giraffelamps.com/Default.htm
Good: well built; long reach; accepts many bulbs including Chromalux; ventilated head stays cool;
numerous mounting options with quick release via ball-and-detent; optional magnifiers; possibly
the perfect hobby lighting system.
Bad: dealer network?; kinda spendy…but, hey, this is for fun
http://us.daylightcompany.com/product/daylight-table-top-lamp-white/ or http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=daylight+table+top+lamp&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
I got one of these, or one similar to it. I love it. I got mine on Ebay about a year ago. I had the cheapest Ott lamp they made. The light was good, but the lamp part was not good. It would not stay in position, and it was too low. My second light after the Ott Lite I got at Home Depot or Lowe’s. It was about 24-29 dollars or something like that. It had a magnifier through the top of the lamp. It worked good, but after a while, the moveable arm part of it would not hold anymore. The Daylight lamp was awesome. It is a little more, but it is the only lamp you need. They also make a foldable light that I use at tying events. Great product.
The Daylight lamp kelkay references is the basically the same white light in my photo just that mine is a clamp on type and no magnifier.
As he said it is an excellent light… but in a different price range.
I have 3 different ott lites. One floor lamp and 2 flex arm
plus desk and clamp combos. I love them but definitely wait
For a sale. Only replaced one bulb since i bought it (the wife knocked it
over ). no substitute for me. Halogens get too hot for my
liking.
An Ott light with a sheet of cream colored foam propped against the base as a background works well for me.
Regards,
Scott
I picked up a 18" double bulb flo lamp and went to Lowes and got the 6400K bulbs installed. Nothing is as brite as this period! I also got a 4 bulb flo light system on the ceiling using 1" tubes 6400K bulbs and this is freaking bright!
I have the same light as ducksterman. another criterion that I had when deciding upon an appropriate lamp was the quantity of heat generated as i occassionally get carried away and get my head too close to vise/lamp. difficult to explain singed hair and face since I don’t cook and tie at the same time…
go w/the daylight lamp- you will behappier long term!
well worth it!
cheers!
Clarkii
Great suggestions thus far. I use a simple LED Desk Lamp from Wally World, $12. I’ve replaced the bulb 2 times and had it for over 5 years.
Peak’s tying light is worth a look too.
I have a Peak and it’s way brighter than the one I had before, I was really surprised at just how bright it is.
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