Flytying lamp.

[muzza]

Hi peeps, just looking for a little advice. Im looking to buy a flytying lamp and was just wondering if a general daylight craft lamp would fit the bill as the ones ive seen in magazines etc tend to be a bit pricey whereas looking on the likes of ebay I could pick one up for much cheapness

Im sure many of you have lamps so any advice or recommendations would be very welcome. I was looking to get one for about 50 quid or less although on ebay there's some going for much less.

Thanks

[breezey]

Hi Muzza try this link these are pretty good for the money
22W Fluorescent Daylight Magnifier Lamp : Magnifier Lamps : Maplin

[arkle]

Lenses in front of the working area are a really bad idea as they prevent you from getting full access to the fly. The lens distorts the image so unless you have the fly bang in the middle of it, it's out of focus either in part or as a whole. A 22wtt tube, will give a degree of all round shadowless light, but when things get to size 12 & below it doesn't give enough light on the subject.

Until a couple of days ago, I was using 2 anglepoises both with 100 watt RO80 reflector spotlamp bulbs in them. Brilliant lighting, but very hot to work under, even with 1 controlled by a dimmer switch.

I removed 1 & replaced it with a 35watt reading/hobby lamp, that's supposed to be the equivalent light output of a 150watt tungsten bulb. It's called a "Lifemax" & is sold by many people including Maplins, however I got a much better deal on Amazon. It's not as bright as I would have liked, so 1 a/poise is still there if needed, but no more roast fingers.

[breezey]

[QUOTE=arkle;1091068]Lenses in front of the working area are a really bad idea QUOTE]

I totally agree they do distort the fly and cause some hindrance
but since i bought mines ive never used it for anything more than the light as its very bright and gives you great natural light and i got mines from here 2 years ago for £19.99 and never had a thing wrong with it I cant moan at that for what i paid

[TAFFTASTIC]

I have this its awesome

GLOBAL Work lamp - IKEA

TT

[sabsman]

I was also considering starting a similar thread last night but trawled through past threads on the subject instead of which there are quite a few.

After sifting through the threads I have settled for one of the Maplins 22w lamps of which I ordered off their Ebay site.

I'm not intending on using the magnifier for tying (I am more comfortable wearing reading glasses) but think it may be useful for inspection after I have tied a fly.

Hopefully the brightness of the lamp is as good as some people have suggested and I can do away with my make shift inadequate current lighting.

Due to be delivered tomorrow so will let you know when I have tried it out.

Mick.

[sabsman]

Lamp from Maplins delivered today and now set up on the bench, first impression when I took it out the box was that the light was bigger than I thought it was going to be.

I have now tried it out by tying a few flies tonight and am starting to wonder why I didn't get one of these earlier in the year when I first saw them mentioned on here, the brightness of the light is excellent.

Although I am not using the magnifier for tying it does give a crisp, clear view when you look through it and will come in useful for inspecting completed flies.

When you look at the cost of other lamps on the market for fly tying then this is a real bargain, It was only when I tried it out that I realised how dull my previous lighting had been.

If your considering an upgrade to your lighting I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[muzza]

Hi guys, thanks for your advice re the lamp, had a look at the Ikea and Maplin ones, think the maplin one has won the day due to it having the magnifier too. Crackin price too

Thanks again folks

[silver creek]

Most of the fly tyers in the USA use the portable "daylight" fluorescent Ott Lites such as these:

OttLite Green Task Lamp with Swivel | Task Lamps | Task Table Lamp

Amazon.com: OttLite L139AB Task Lamp with Swivel Base in Black: Electronics

Amazon.com: OttLite L139AB Task Lamp with Swivel Base in Black: Electronics

[TAFFTASTIC]

Originally Posted by muzza

Hi guys, thanks for your advice re the lamp, had a look at the Ikea and Maplin ones, think the maplin one has won the day due to it having the magnifier too. Crackin price too

Thanks again folks

Ikea the best IMO

TT