Best LED Lathe Light: 6 Recommendations

Last Updated on July 26, 2021 by Charles Wilson

When there is light, there is maker space. Sometimes you need the brightest and most concentrated light closure to your Lathe- so your turning project doesn’t come to a grinding halt.

A good lighting system is kind of a much-needed setup for any wood lathe or metal lathe turner. If you’re a beginning woodturner wanting to buy your first lathe, you should also consider the lighting system.

It’s very important to have a work-friendly and comfortable turning home shop. Lights come very much handy from working with a hollow form to checking the sanding marks as well.

Now, as you are searching it on the internet, you might have noticed so many e-commerce selling LED lights for lathes and other machines. Plenty of options between different base and neck, lumens and magnet strength.

So, how do you know which one will work best for you?

This is why I am writing about these 6 best options for LED Lathe lights to guide you. I hope this will do absolute justice to your workshop.

Related articles on other tools for your lathe shop:
1. Recommended Chuck system for your lathe
2. Recommended HSS chisels and gouges

Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. This means no extra cost to you.

Thoughts on general lighting ideas

The choices can be different here as it varies from turners to turners and the setup of the lathe inside the workshop. The colour and types of the lights, wattage, lumens and few other things.

If you ask me, I personally don’t want my light to get hotter. So I’d avoid incandescent here. Anything under 60 watts would be enough to keep it cool yet producing excellent lighting. Halogen could be a good option as a 60 watts Halogen is equivalent to 100 watts incandescent light.

I would not recommend fluorescent light around or closure to the lathe. They can feel fuzzy most of the time which could be a bad thing for an aged turner. You can mount fluorescent tubes on the ceiling if the light feels comfortable to you. They are cheap and bright.

Track lighting could be a great option for your new lathe setup. Turners usually need the light towards the headstock where most of the turning work takes place.

So it’s important that you focus on that part. You can have a 4 ft or 6 ft light track above the lathe and use some inexpensive track lights on them.

You can easily do the spindles with general lighting. But for bowls, vessels and other hollow forms, you need focus. Track lights will keep the brightness coming all along from all different angles to your lathe.

So yeah, you can just get some track lights and hang them above the lathe.

What are the types of lighting?

Typically, there are four types of lightbulbs that we hear most-

• Incandescent
• Fluorescent (CFL)
• Halogen
• LED (light-emitting diode)

How many Lumens/Watts do you need?

The recommendation is that you use 20-30 lumens per sq feet for an adequate brighter outcome.

You can measure the sq footage of your turning station and then buy one accordingly.

The more lumens the more brightness.

Best LED Lathe Lights for lathe machine:

LED has taken over all of them with their rapidly changing technology. They are extremely bright, energy-saving and last longer than any other bulb.

They can have a life span of a minimum of 30,000 hours, which’s 25 times more than any traditional lights.

Now, let’s go and see some of the best options for LED lights you can use for your lathe work. You can add one magnetic LED Lathe Light to have more detailed light on your workpieces.

5W COB LED Work Light For Lathe

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I really like this lamp. The COB LED work light is perfect when you’re doing some very small and detailed work on the table. The light is bright and the on/off button on the back of the head is a nice touch.

Comes in an easy to open box, is nicely packaged, and has metal parts with one exception for those LEDs. They are not too pricey.

If you want to get your job done without spending more than necessary, then this could be it! It is a decent buy given the options available for industrial goosenecks on Amazon. And it does what you need it to do without any frills or fuss.

The metal base will keep the whole thing safe from any damage and corrosion. I mean, even in the event of heavy machinery vibration!

This versatile light comes with an adjustable gooseneck light to provide inspection for small scale machining. They are great even for bigger pieces at 30 cm from the lighting source.

The gooseneck can also work as a flashlight using a 110-240V power cord that is easily plugged into any outlet found in North America.

At 3 watts, this LED lamp has 250 lumens and includes a 50000-hour average life span. So, no more cumbersome hassle with replacing bulbs every time one blows out! The brackets are metal T bases, so it’s super sturdy too!

I think this should be enough illumination to illuminate all your little nooks in your workspace.

XINYIQI Flexible Gooseneck LED Lathe Light

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I found this gooseneck light to be a great option for hobbyists. If you need a small, bright, and affordable lighting solution, this is also a great option.

These mini lights are always a good option for those looking to add additional lighting in the shop or garage.

You could also use it as an overhead light in your work area. Just attach the bracket into one of two screw holes from any Grizzly mounting system.

It attaches securely with no issues and provides plenty of illumination without being too bright – perfect for close-up tasks like reading the small print on plans or schematics while working at your Lathe!

If you are worried about what happens if the bulb burns out, don’t worry because replacements can be found online easily enough. And since this unit operates off 120V direct power you also don’t need to worry about adding a dc converter.

The only downside is the base is made of plastic instead of metal which makes me question its durability longevity compared to other shop lights on the market.

But at under $40 it’s worth giving it a try if you’re looking for something quick and easy without too many bells or whistles.

The Led Flexible Gooseneck Light, with an aluminium alloy base and an ABS body provides 900 lumens of light. Besides, it can work for about 80000 hours, and comes with four mounting screws on the back.

It also has a contemporary craft design that goes well in any setting. With LED lights that never need replacing because they last forever!

A flexible gooseneck light that has a hard exterior and an aluminium alloy frame are perfect for professionals.

With a low power consumption of only 9 watts and long-lasting bulbs guaranteed for 80000 hours, it’s no wonder so many people are interested in them!

If you’re looking to spice up your repair workshop, then the Led Flexible Gooseneck Light is an excellent choice!

SHUN CAN DA Industrial LED Lighting

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Here’s another gooseneck flex lamp with a controllable magnetic base and IP65 waterproof design. Made from aluminium alloy, this 20-inches long LED light has a 3-bead remote controller that can easily be used to adjust the flexible arm’s length and head angle.

With an input voltage of AC110~240V, you’re able to take advantage of all three power modes. High brightness (9W), low brightness (2.5W) as well as SOS mode at 9W, which is perfect for low light workshops.

Combining all of these features into one product makes it possible for professionals in any environment to have lighting that goes anywhere they need it!

These 900 lumens led lathe lights are very bright if you see. The magnetic base is strong and it stays in place on the tailstock very firmly. You can mount it 30 inches away from the headstock and it will work great to illuminate the spot.

Providing ample light to see inside wood bowls or boxes without having to remove your face shield, it’s a great tool for woodturners of all levels.

If you’re looking for a new lathe lamp to replace your old one with a powerful one, this might be exactly what you need!

There is one thing that I don’t like about this product. The magnetic on-off switch seems locked down if you tighten the arm for the light down all the way.

Although, this makes sense because you want your power cord protected when storing or transporting this item in its case when not in use.

FAJ flexable LED Lathe Light with DISC

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Check this little but mighty LED light. Whether you’re working inside or outside, the clean white light will illuminate your space without sacrificing clarity and brightness.

This easy-to-use lamp has 30 bright daylight LEDs that will provide great illumination without straining your eyes or creating eye fatigue when used over an extended period of time.

Even if you have to do some late night or early morning projects, these lights are guaranteed not to flicker, pulsate, dim while in use.

The adjustable arm means you can position it however you want for optimal viewing. Just set it on its base for a softer glow.

With a gooseneck that extends 12 inches and an easy-to-adjust magnetic base, this is the headlight for any job. It works great as a lathe machine light or in other places where bright lights are needed at odd angles like machinist job sites or 3D printers.

Besides, it offers long life, flexible options and saves you time and money! They even also giving a full money-back guarantee to their customer.

I mean what more do you want? This light is great for wood lathe, bandsaw, drill press, sewing machine, or any other machine.

POWKER 30 LED Magnetic Mount Light

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Foldable and handy, it’s perfect for workbenches, lathes and all sorts of machinery. The magnetic base with a gooseneck design can be adjusted to point the light in any direction onto your project or workspace, unlike a clamp-on fixture that points only straight ahead.

It’ll also stay cool to the touch thanks to its silicone rubber housing which resists heat better than plastic housings often found on lights of this type.

The 30 high-quality LEDs provide ample illumination on close up work while providing enough ambient light so you don’t strain your eyes after hours of working without a break.

This light has a constant current output which eliminates any electrical problems like strobing lights and flickering.

The SILICONE RESIN GOOSENECK ensures durability whilst the STRONG MAGNETIC BASE hangs it anywhere for safekeeping.

With an input voltage range of 85-265V AC (11008 or 22024) and 6W Ultra Bright COB, this light emits a 120-degree wide beam angle at 6000-6500K Color temperature for a clear display.

You never have to worry about power outages again. Because POWKER has LED beads which are more robust than most of the lights out there. Best used for workbench, lathe, drill press and milling!

YITAMOTOR LED Light Bar

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Even if it’s a car light but this could also be a great setup for your lathe if you mount it on the wall. With 72 watts of power, the YITAMOTOR 14-inch LED Light Bar will produce light powerful enough to illuminate any terrain.

The IP67 protection rating is more than enough protection against dust, water, and shock. So, even if you happen to drop this light bar it would continue operating without damage.

You can either mount them up on brackets or place them on top of your Lathe or bandsaw for maximum coverage with customizable mounting points.

Using 7000K LEDs means this light is warmer but brighter in comparison to some other headlights listed online. 6000K white colour temperature provides excellent lighting in all conditions.

You also have three different options when it comes to lighting, whether you want a spot beam, floodlight, or a combination of both.

The heat sink in this unit is made of high quality 1070 aluminium alloy that will keep the operating temperature cool all day long!

But be beware: that brightness comes at a price – it runs at forty degrees celsius max temperature!

Final thoughts and what to consider before buying

If you’re a woodturner or metal turner, then you know just how important it is to have the perfect lighting system in your home shop.  There are a lot of options for lighting in your workshop.

If you’re going to be looking at the work from all different angles, it’s important to have good light that will show off all the details without glare. I recommend LED lights because they’re more energy-efficient and last longer than other types of bulbs.

When considering what kind of lights you want in your home workshop, consider how much brightness is best suited for what type of workspace – if you need bright overhead light or dimmer under-cabinet lighting?

It’s imperative to have the right type of lights in order to see what you’re working on and do so safely without harming yourself with poor visibility.

You should also think about whether or not any specific colour temperature might be preferable as well (for example yellow spectrum). These six choices offer up some excellent illumination at various ranges of lumens/watts depending on your particular needs as a turner.

The 6 best-LED lathe lights I’ve selected can do absolute justice to any workshop and will make working with hollow forms as well as sanding marks much easier. I hope this post has been helpful! Let me your thoughts in the comment. Till then-

Turn Safe, Turn Big. Welcome to the turning world!