Magnifying lamp with all metal base

The foot breaks off or the mounting clamp breaks? We used to drill an appropriately-sized hole in our desktops to stick the peg into...

I've been through several of these, too, but it's usually the springs or irreplaceable lower spring hooks that have failed. You definitely don't need to spend $100+ on the things to get good quality. My current lamp is an LTS brand clamp-on model -- sorry I forget the model # and if it was ever labelled on the body, it isn't anymore. I do recall it only cost about $40.

The plastic parts on it are: the light switch the spring tension knobs the bulb socket an ac socket on the xformer case (is often very handy!) the power cord feed-thrus the power cord insulation and strain reliefs =D

It's white to match my bench laminate, so it, too, is (or was) available in more than 1 color. I've abused the hell out of this lamp on a daily basis for over 10 years and it's still going strong. Never had to replace the bulb, either. If this lamp ever fails, I'll most likely replace it with another LTS.

If you've had it with desktop models, maybe a floor unit would suit you. This place offers both types, in 5-diopter versions as well:

Good luck, Ray

I doubt very much that you will be able to find a solid base magnifying lamp for less than USD70. For any good quality magnifier, the circular lamp alone costs 1/4 that price and then the solid glass lens is more than $70 to replace.

The BEST lamp available for this work is called Maggylamp and they don't come cheap

I have one which was built nearly 50 years ago and it is still going strong. The base is cast iron and total weight is 7kg.

Don't want a solid base lamp. Wan't one similar to the linked image with a reach of over 40". Problem is with a reach like that, the peg and base has to be all metal, plastic just doesn't cut it.

It would be useless for my purposes. I need to swivel the lamp over my lathe when turning, swivel to the drill when drilling, swivel to the shear when cutting, swivel to electronics bench when placing, soldering...etc. Two of these lamps is all I need based on how the tables are set up. McMaster Carr sells what I need between $70 - $90 and the mgnification is 2.75X. Still looking for something cheaper. But you're right about the magnifying lens, most of the cheaper lamps are only 1.75X.

ELECTRIX make a few different models which seem to be more rugged.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

has a cheap one for $39.99.

is a cheap incandescent version for $9.99.