WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Your best/favorite accessory ?

Posts

Your best/favorite accessory ?

#1

Your best/favorite accessory ?

Mike Schwing from Md

>I just can't say enough about this sturdy, well designed, simple, flexible work lamp with magnetic base.

Its better than all of the lighting options/ideas I've tried combined.

In my search for better, or at least effective lighting, I've seen this flexible Moffat worklamp but been hesistant at its price ($50). However, I finally ordered it anyway, along with the magnetic base. Upon opening the box I realized that the price was worth it, this thing is very sturdy, extremely well built, and probably even tougher than it needs to be. Once positioned, it stays put tight, and you soon forget its even there, till you wish to move it.

I'm glad I resisted the urget to fashion one of my own or buy an inexpensive desk type lamp. It wouldn't have been as nice.

Here's a link from Craft Supplies... http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/frames/frameset_shop_acc.html

Now, in trade, anyone really happy with a waterproof turning smock that won't allow chips down through the neck opening? Please? I'm itchy!

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#2

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

Diane Maluso in Ithaca, NY

>I've got two Moffat lights set up at my lathe... that way I can light the inside and the outside of a bowl at the same time. They're probably the third version of lighting I've used and I couldn't be happier. Fantastic piece of equipment. Rock solid, steady, and good light. They don't seem to mind having mineral oil and shavings and, yes, even dust, thrown up at them. They never move from where I put them, and the lightbulbs took about two years to burnout in them. Would buy again in a heartbeat.

And, yeah, please someone suggest a turner's smock that good. Any good!

Diane

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#3

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

Art Liestman

>I also use the Moffat lamps and highly recommend them. A better price can be had at www.turningwood.com which is also the source of the Light Stand which is a very useful light mounting system.

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#4

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

John Lucas

>I agree. I buy them from Gary Sanders. I have 3 lights some with quick release brackets and then I have quick release brackets on the magnets so I can easily move the lights around.

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#5

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

John Lucas

>One of my favorite accessories is the Morse taper to 1 1/4 x 8 thread. You can mount your chuck in the tailstock for perfect alignment of the bowl on your vacuum chuck. You can get them from www.bestwoodtools.com

Another favorite is something I made but I think bestwood tools might carry them. It is a piece of 1 1/4 x8 threaded rod that I turned down to fit into my banjo. This alloys me to mount the bowl on the banjo while it's still on the faceplate for carving, hand sanding, woodburning etc.

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#6

I turn in...

BubbaBob

>...my bib overalls, but that won't solve yer itch problem...

BubbaBob

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#7

Waterproof, chip repeller right here

Molly Winton

>Hey Mike, Thanks for the info on the Moffitt lights. I've been debating their purchase for the past week. Sounds like it's a good way to go. As for the waterproof turning smock. Packard Woodworks has a waterproof apron that has a high turtleneck type collar that secures on with velcro. It keeps all chips off your neck and out of your shirt. I really like mine. It doesn't cover your arms, but gives excellent coverage over your chest. Give Brad a call, he'll take excellent care of you.

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#8

Richard Allen

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

Richard Allen

>The best turning smock I have seen is the one the AAW sold at the Akron symposium. It had a open mesh back with a ripstop zip up high collar. Of course they no longer carry those and the times I have asked about them the AAW was unable to buy that style.

Our turning club was so fond of that style that they worked with their apparel supplier (shirts, hats jackets...) to come up with a similar smock.

The smock is a pull over design with a zipper that goes higher than my neck is long. The back is mesh with a pouch in back, opening from both sides for storing a chuck key or sand paper or whatever. The front has a pocket with a flap and a pencil slot.

For me the pouch in the back was a waste as I could not reach into it so I removed the pouch to provide better venting in the back.

The Moffatt lights are a terrific product for task lighting. But it is hard to beat eight 4' 40 watt tubes around the lathe for general lighting.

One of the products I am glad I have every day is the 5/8" thick foam rubber mat I stand on at the lathe.

Richard

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

#9

Re: Your best/favorite accessory ?

Guy

>For lighting I have two 500 watt halogen worklights on a stand I picked up on sale at Lowes a long time ago. Easy to move aroud the garage and outside too if you need to, lots of light. Use a magnetic desk type light to see into stuff. For a smock check out your local bicycle shop for a cycling windbreaker. They usually zip up to your chin, have good venting. The plain ones don't cost much at all. I cut part of the sleeves off to keep them out of harms way. Works great, definitely keeps the dust off, doesn't cost much. Guy

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.