Inspired by my wife's scrollsaw, and having pulled this gooseneck from a broken floor lamp, I've installed it on my faithful old scrollsaw to illuminate my work!
Hopefully my lighting projects will inspire you to add a little more light to your work area so you can work more safely and accurately!
Please consider voting for any of my lighting projects in the lighting contest!
Enjoy!
Step 1: Gather Tools
1: threadlocker. I use removable for projects like this. In case I ever sell the tool, Everything is removable.
2: Tap wrench/handle and 10-24 tap.
3: Lamp parts
4: piece of aluminum angle
5: Drill, 5/32 inch drill bit for tapped hole, 1/4 inch drill bit for screw holes in angle, and a 3/8 bit to drill the hole for the lamp to mount to the angle. (The 3/8 inch hole is not shown because the angle I used already had a 3/8 inch hole in it! )
Step 2: Drilling the Holes
Mark and drill a 3/8 inch hole on one side of the angle.
Then mark and drill two 1/4 inch holes on the other side spaced about 1/2 inch from each edge.
Deburr the holes.
Using your drilled angle to layout the holes on the tool, mark them and drill the holes 5/32 in preparation to tap
Step 3: Tap and Install Angle
Tap the holes you drilled in the tool casting. Taped holes should be as straight as possible to maintain the strength of the threads. If you are not confident enough to do this freehand, then use a drill press and drill a hole the same size as the Taps shaft in a small block of hard wood. Push the tap into the hole, and now you have a tap guide that will be sufficient for soft materials.
Apply thread locker to screw threads, and attach the angle to the tool.
Step 4: Installing the Lamp Part
Feed the cord of the lamp through the 3/8 inch hole in the angle, then feed the cord through the nut part.
Carefully pull the cord all the way through, and then tighten it onto the threads just enough to hold it in place, Apply threadlocker and tighten completely. You may need pliers.
Step 5: Install the Plug
Install the plug. Since it is a lamp, polarity is not as important, but try to get it right anyway. I do not like reversing the polarity of any cord.
This end is incorrect for the cord of the lamp, but it's the one I have on hand at the moment. A replacement two-prong lamp plug has been ordered and will be installed.
Step 6: Install a Bulb and Test!
I chose an LED bulb because the vibration of the saw would quickly burn out an incandescent bulb, but a flourescent would work as well.
Testing shows that natural light is better, but I'm not surprised. I placed the saw by the window for that very reason. The bulb is a 60 watt replacement though, and will be much appreciated in the evening when the sunlight isn't streaming in.
Step 7: You're Finished!
The lamp looks pretty good, though I will probably paint the outside of the shade black, and line the inside with aluminum tape. The inspiration for this add-on was my wife's scrollsaw. It has a built in lamp that makes seeing your lines very easy. My old craftsman didn't but I've remedied that, and hope you will too!
Please consider voting on my project for the Lighting contest!
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