[BillinO]

Hi all, seems like in the past several have praised the Ott light for use while carving and painting. I looked at one today and got sticker shock, $149.95. My question is do they use the same type bulbs as the balanced spectrum bulbs that you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot that will fit in most lamps, or fixtures? I'm trying the balanced spectrum daylight now, untill I get enough data on which way to go, Thanx Bill in Omaha

[Colin_Partridge]

Bill,
I picked up four Ott lights in Costco it used to be called Price Club not sure what it is called in the US. It is one of those members only shopping clubs. I paid $39.95 each for them and that was in Canadian dollars. I love them they are the best for any workshop. I have two of them on my work bench and the wife has two for her quilting room. We swear by them, I had no idea they were that expensive I would check around if I were you. My wife said she saw them at a quilting show in Toronto for #89.99 Canadian but that is a far cry from $150.00 US that would be over $200.00 Canadian. I would definatly check around.
Colin

[mdallensr]

Try Staples, Office Depot or Office Max. I bought one from one of them and it was not a lot of money.

[woodenleg]

Seems I saw them just the other day at either a Hancock fabric shop or hobby shop. Seems like they were a lot less expensive than that. Who knows. I bought one of the little table versions (portable) and like it a lot.

I will say that as much as I like it, I believe that any source of light would be a welcome addition to any work bench and I do believe there are times when an incandescent lamp is the better choice.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I had an ott light and it was ok, just not big enough, sold it to a lady that does knitting, big enough for her she said....I got this one at 'nextten' http://www.nextten.com I think is the site, good light, bigger bulbs and brighter...I like it a lot!

http://search.ca.ebay.com/ott-light_...sortpropertyZ1
Lights on Ebay, sound a bit less expensive??

[farfalla]

I used to work in a Hancock fabrics store (a couple of years ago), and my memory is that Ott lights ranged from at least $50 for the small ones to $120 or something like that for a larger one. If Costco sells them for less than $40, that's a really good deal!

The main purpose most people bought them for when I worked at the fabric store was to match colors for quilting in 'true' light rather than the yellowish indoor lighting that we're used to. I kind of thought it didn't make much sense, since the quilts were most likely going to be seen in regular artificial lighting anyway; maybe I'm missing something? I'd be interested to know why Ott lights would be helpful in woodcarving.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

you find out in a hurry when you are painting a carving how much the light helps, you think you have everything covered and you take it out in the sunshine and see spots everywhere, the light stops that! I also use a magnifier, so between the light and the magnifier, I get finer carving detail and a better paint job.....imho of course :

[BillinO]

Thanks guys for all of the input, think I will use the balanced spectrum lights I can get from Lowes for about $6.00 for now until I can shop for some of your suggestions. This work thing sure cuts into my carving and shopping time. Thanx Bill in Omaha

...yeah I spoke w/ a quilter who didn't seem to impressed with the lights...(rather spend the money on some new tools) 8)