Repairing some swing arm lamps

[Cherryville Chuck]

My wife bought me a magnifier type swing arm lamp a number of years again. I broke the pin off the bottom bracket one day. I should have loosened the pivot clamps most likely. I tried fixing the pin mount but it didn't last long. I've been trying to figure out a better fix because I need the extra light and the magnifier lens at times. It finally dawned on me the other day that it would be easier to replace the bottom bracket.

The fix was simple. Make a sandwich of 3 pieces and instead of bolting the swing arms to it just run wood screws through the bolt holes in the arms from one outer layer to the other. The center layer needs to be ever so slightly thicker than the swing arms are so that they can move freely. A slice of OSB sheathing turned out to be the perfect thickness. I used the old bottom bracket as a drill guide for the clearance holes on one side.

I cut a step on the back end of the new bracket/holder for clamping to a bench or table edge and I drilled a hole for a 3/4" dowel in it so that I can peg it into one of the dog holes on my work bench. With the homemade base it's more versatile now than it was with the original.

[HandyDan]

I love those lights. I have half a dozen but only one has the magnifier. The magnifier is a fantastic tool to own. I use it often.

[Cherryville Chuck]

I bought a couple of swing arm florescent lamps for $5 at an auction a couple weeks ago. I'm finding I need more task lighting these days and these lamps at 18 watts are fairly bright. But they didn't come with mounting brackets. no problem. I made a bench mount that can be clamped to my bench or dogged to it with a removable dowel I drilled a hole for plus I made a couple of wall brackets to hold them, The pins on the base of the arms is a hair under 9/16", probably 14mm. So the bench bracket was just a matter of making a sandwich thicker than the pins are long and drilling two holes. The wall brackets are also just a type of sandwich build.

[Cherryville Chuck]

I love those lights. I have half a dozen but only one has the magnifier. The magnifier is a fantastic tool to own. I use it often.

I love them too. I already had one by my drill press. I also added a magnetic sewing machine light with flex arm to it. A 2 watt LED one. It helps get rid of the shadows caused by the swing arm lamp but I wish it was a little brighter. I took one of the wall brackets in the 2nd post and mounted it so it can be swung over my lathe but it's also right beside that drill press so hopefully it will also be able to be positioned to give more light without getting in the way of the spindle arms. I'm starting to find shadows to be a serious issue plus generally needing more light.

[DaninVan]

"starting"?! You young 'uns are so lucky...

[HandyDan]

I removed the light sockets and replaced them with LED ceiling lights. They were gifted to me. Chucked them in the lathe and cut the large part of the bells off. Removed the mounting pin and mounted them on the LED light. Great amount of light and much cooler.

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[Cherryville Chuck]

Good idea. I think I have a couple of those somewhere. I remember buying a 4 pack and I only used two of them. As for the magnifier, I'm glad I figured a way to fix it. Lee Valley has one I just saw in a monthly flyer and they're $90Can now.

[DaninVan]

$90?! I think I like your thrift store sourcing better.