jpotx113
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Posts: 460
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Nov 22, 2019 16:36:44 GMT
I'm looking for recommendations on a good SW lamp to detect tagging, etc. I can usually see with my naked eye phosphor bands but sometimes I want to be 100% certain that I'm not missing something. I'm currently sorting some definitives from Israel and there are a few that I'm not sure about. I also collect Machins. And, let's face it, inspecting stamps in general is fun. I have one of those 6-in-1 tools that includes a very small UV LED light but I don't think it's getting the job done.
I've looked at several lamps on-line but was wondering if someone owned one that is decent and won't "break the bank". I've considered the Lighthouse L81 since it has both LW and SW options.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
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WERT
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What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Nov 22, 2019 17:34:20 GMT
Hi jpotx113 if you can find one of these lights like i did...it has all the spectrum that you would need.
Robert
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renden
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Posts: 8,710 
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Nov 22, 2019 18:24:29 GMT
LS-4 Ministar Lamp from Raytech UV Equipment - see WERT 's previous post and pic - Mine belonged to my late dad and today seems to want $500C  www.collectorssupplyhouse.com/s_acces/g_raytechuv.htmFrom Raytech's Intro: The process of learning to use Ultra Violet lamps can be very frustrating unless you know the basics. Long wave shows fluorescent inks and papers. Shortwave shows tagged stamps. Has both long & shortwave that can be used at the same time. $499.95C René |
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WERT
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What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Nov 22, 2019 21:12:03 GMT
But Rene...I got mine at a stamp auction for $15.00...Deal eh...?
Robert
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Ryan
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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Nov 22, 2019 21:16:05 GMT
I have a Raytech dual-wavelength lamp as well. In my case, the LS-7, a bigger unit which has two separate lamps with separate switches so you can choose which lamp you run. I'm real happy with it and in fact I bought a complete spare. Sometimes you see them cheap - the lamps have a ballast (or something) within them that needs a bit of time to fully switch on. A momentary push of the button isn't enough to turn the lamp on correctly, you have to hold the button for a second or so before you release it and the lamp turns on fully. People get impatient, decide the light is junk because it doesn't make enough light when they turn it on and they get rid of it when all they needed to do was to turn it on in the right way. Have a look, you might find a cheap one someday (image nabbed from an auction site) ...  Raytech lamps are used by stamp collectors but their main market is the mineral collector crowd - Raytech makes lapidary equipment, rock polishers and stuff like that. Ryan |
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WERT
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What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Nov 22, 2019 21:27:16 GMT
Nice one Ryan
Mine has a sliding plate to use one or the other or both at once....And yes, i have to hold down the button for a long second, but when it comes on, it is great..Also have a battery device also.
Robert
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 460
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Nov 22, 2019 21:28:44 GMT
Looking around after the first two replies were posted I noticed that these were geared towards the rock and mineral crowd. Maybe I can expand my search area and find one cheap.
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angore
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Nov 22, 2019 21:33:29 GMT
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Nov 22, 2019 21:56:12 GMT
angore is correct...Even Unitrade suppliers of information use the same as me.. Robert
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Nov 22, 2019 22:00:43 GMT
Here is my UV lamp. Bought in 1972 or so! Still work great to this day! I also have the mini version in blue casing operated by 2 AA batteries. But his guy in the picture is my go to lamp! |
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Nov 22, 2019 22:02:13 GMT
Has both long & shortwave that can be used at the same time. $499.95C René You know what they say... there's a sucker born every minute! |
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renden
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What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Nov 22, 2019 23:35:39 GMT
Has both long & shortwave that can be used at the same time. $499.95C René You know what they say... there's a sucker born every minute! I agree Pete - mine is from my late dad's legacy - just checked the serial number but it is not "dual" like the ad says - never paid a penny for it. I do have a separate long wave battery op unit - I plan to buy a short wave for the "tags" René |
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philatelia
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Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
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What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Nov 23, 2019 1:22:50 GMT
I’ve been using this Ray Tech for decades and still works!  |
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Nov 23, 2019 1:36:07 GMT
philatelia
Nicw light..I agree, even my old one is beter than new battery operated ones..
Robert
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Nov 23, 2019 1:47:34 GMT
I had a small battery powered one but it was incredibly wimpy - the room had to be so dark to see anything. But with the ray tech on a dark corner of my bookshelves near the powerstrip I don’t even need to close the blinds to easily make out the luminescence.
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angore
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Nov 23, 2019 12:14:29 GMT
For detailed study, using both at same time can affect the actual analysis.
The emission under the LW (usually blue) can mask the emission (green, yellow, etc) under the SW. Also, the light should be at a shallow angle so the UV light reflection (not all is absorbed and reflected at the re-emitted wavelength( interferes too. This is important for very weak responses. If just doing a tagged / not tagged, it is not very important.
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erthur
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What I collect: Scandinavia and Estonia
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Post by erthur on Feb 8, 2020 15:58:52 GMT
Don't buy the Lighthouse L81 or anything similar, it is of extremely poor quality. I just purchased one to be "cord free" and I am in the process of returning it. Totally made of plastic, a small LED light on one end and a small tube light on the side. It takes 4 AA batteries and the 2 furthest inside the case I could only remove with the use of pliers, also the battery end cap did not fit well and made for a poor loose fitting connection which needed some tape to keep tight.
Mind you Lighthouse did offer to replace the one I received but I thought that the $79.50 CAD I spent could be used on a more durable and robust dual wave UV light.
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khj
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Post by khj on Feb 11, 2020 18:40:33 GMT
As angore mentioned, for in depth study of tagging on stamps, get the lamps from the rock/mineral places. Those are very comparable to the UV lamp I have that was previously used in a research lab. The stuff sold by stamp places tend to be pretty wimpy and often only useful in poorly lit places. |
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Post by dgwhite87 on Mar 23, 2020 22:21:03 GMT
I've posted this same question on other stamp forums and not once has anyone mentioned looking at what the rock collectors and geologists are using.
Super helpful replies!
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