Extra Light

[high standard 40]

As my eyes get older, it's good to have some extra light right where you need it while casting. My RCBS 20 pound pot blocked most of the overhead light from reaching the area of the pour spout so I rigged up this light.

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/highstandard40/Puck-Light_zpski5ltgiw.jpg (http://s532.photobucket.com/user/highstandard40/media/Puck-Light_zpski5ltgiw.jpg.html)

This is an LED Puck light that I picked up at the local home center. It's mounted on a thin piece of aluminum and then bolted to a block of 4X4. I can swivel the light on the wooden block to get the light to where it is needed and slide the block around on the left or right side of the pot.

[Walter Laich]

good idea. I'll have to give it a try

[JSnover]

That's as good an idea as any. I'd like to put a cheap little desk lamp on my bench but the best place to shop for them are yard sales and thrift shops. A decent one NIB will cost way more than it's worth.

[TXGunNut]

I like it, good job!

[Artful]

Excellent use of the LED pucks

[harley45]

I have one of the puc lights set up like that but I also bought one of the cheap headlamps at Walmart mart that I wear while casting and reloading its a big big help!

[Mike W1]

Is that puck 110v or do you need an adapter for it? Looked on HomeDepot.com and gave up too quickly. If it's feasible a model # would help.

[high standard 40]

Is that puck 110v or do you need an adapter for it? Looked on HomeDepot.com and gave up too quickly. If it's feasible a model # would help.

It is a standard 110V light that I picked up at Lowes. It came in a pack of three but may be available as singles. Right now we are having a torrential downpour and the light is out in my shop. I'll try to get the brand and SKU number as soon as I can.

[Doggonekid]

I also use a extra light to shine under my RCBS Pro-Melt furnace. I don't have the same eyes when I started casting when I was 16. 40 sum odd years later I can use the extra glow on the sprews. That idea of the extra light is a good one even if you are not 60 years old. The next best idea I had was to get rid of my old chair and get a nice office chair so I could be comfortable. I use to cast for quantity, then later I cast for quality, now days I cast in comfort.

[Mike W1]

I do have a little homemade LED lamp but looks like the puck might be better if I can locate one.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u310/Mike4245/HPIM2023_zps39958def.jpg

[Fishman]

I do have a little homemade LED lamp but looks like the puck might be better if I can locate one.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u310/Mike4245/HPIM2023_zps39958def.jpg

I disagree. Homemade setups are cool. I like the adjustable angle afforded by the sheet metal screw in the bottom. Is it just a bare led? How did you mount it in the pvc? The shield to prevent glare is a good idea. What is in the box, a voltage transformer?

[Mike W1]

It's a bare LED and just sits in the PVC. It's a 12 volt lamp but I had an old transformer for batteries so used that even though it's only 9 volt. Got the idea from somebody on this site though his looked a little better. Couple of lead ingots in the box for stability. Works well but I like that puck idea better. Here's the info on the LED and HomeDepot had them.


Phillips 12V 3W LED
819373
100 Lumens
Model 3G4

LED Lamps 3PM5 E335104

Ordering Code BC3T3/ACC/PIN 12V

Phillips.com

[Mal Paso]

Here's another one. Works with the Lee 4-20 with it's shiny aluminum bottom. 12 volt landscape spot light from Home Depot but used an 8 volt transformer as 12 was too bright. The lamp holder is a piece of pipe and steel strap welded together.

[Ole Joe Clarke]

Here's another one. Works with the Lee 4-20 with it's shiny aluminum bottom. 12 volt landscape spot light from Home Depot but used an 8 volt transformer as 12 was too bright. The lamp holder is a piece of pipe and steel strap welded together.

What a great looking light. I need one of those on my Lee Classic Turret.

Leon

[blikseme300]

Here's another one. Works with the Lee 4-20 with it's shiny aluminum bottom. 12 volt landscape spot light from Home Depot but used an 8 volt transformer as 12 was too bright. The lamp holder is a piece of pipe and steel strap welded together.

Hmm, a reflective surface under the pot to give more light on the sprue plate, I like it! Maybe a piece of shiny stainless steel will do the trick.

[Walter Laich]

lack of light is one of the reasons I built a shelf from mine to sit on. Brings the spout up to eye level (I sit when I cast).

Right now Texas Sun is doing a great job of providing light but temps are a bit much. At least this will give me time to build a light for the cloudy days in the Fall

[robg]

IKEA do an led lamp with a flexy lead on a clamp (1 inch across the lamp) can bend it to light up my press.helps a lot to be able to see what your doing.

[Fishman]

It's a bare LED and just sits in the PVC. It's a 12 volt lamp but I had an old transformer for batteries so used that even though it's only 9 volt. Got the idea from somebody on this site though his looked a little better. Couple of lead ingots in the box for stability. Works well but I like that puck idea better. Here's the info on the LED and HomeDepot had them.



Phillips 12V 3W LED
819373
100 Lumens
Model 3G4

LED Lamps 3PM5 E335104

Ordering Code BC3T3/ACC/PIN 12V

Phillips.com

Thanks for the detailed reply Mike, I appreciate it. I guess i never really thought about using any of the old transformers I have piled in a box in my garage. In fact, I was wondering what I was going to do with them. Now I know.

[Fishman]

Here's another one. Works with the Lee 4-20 with it's shiny aluminum bottom. 12 volt landscape spot light from Home Depot but used an 8 volt transformer as 12 was too bright. The lamp holder is a piece of pipe and steel strap welded together.

I just admire the "get-er-done" approach of these designs. It is also nice to know that matching the voltage isn't as critical as the LED companies let on. Thanks Mal Paso.

[Mike W1]

Just HAD to have a puck so looked around at Lowes today. Must have found the same one the original poster did as it was a 3 pack of em' on sale today. So I rigged one up this afternoon. Wow, what a difference. 139 lumens and my other rig was rated at 100 with 12 volts and I only put 9 volts on it. This one's permanent mounted but have 2 left and at 2.89 watts I should be able to afford to run em' both!!! I'll make something on the order he did so the mold top will get hit from both sides and retire my old unit. May put the 3rd one in my exhaust fan hood to supplement the light bulb in there.

[bilco]

Hmm, might have to look into getting one made myself...

[Mike W1]

My photo skills leave something to be desired but here's a couple shots showing (I hope) the difference with and without the pucks lighting the mold tops.

Without the Puck Lighting
http://i.imgur.com/UB6dsat.jpg

With the Puck Light ON
http://i.imgur.com/0duCnJ6.jpg

[high standard 40]

I apologize to all for not posting this sooner but I just today found where I had hidden my packaging and extra lights that I used.
I purchased these at Lowes but they may be found elsewhere. Brand is Utilitech Pro marketed by L G Sourcing. Stock number is 0071487. These use a standard 110V plug.

[Mike W1]

Cast a few yesterday after mounting the 3rd puck above the pots. Lot easier to skim the pots when you can see things better!