A note from the painting bench
Redgrass R9 Desk Lamp: specifications and desk fit
A specification-led assessment of the dual-bar Redgrass R9: colour metrics, lux distance, clamp fit and questions to settle before buying.
The R9 is worth investigating for a permanent painting bench where you can attach a clamp and want to change the direction of two light bars. Mounting space is the first decision: a detailed colour specification cannot make an unsuitable desk edge work.
We haven't tested this product. This assessment interprets Redgrass's published specifications and setup instructions, checked 2 November 2026. Suggestions about bench layout are planning advice, not observations of the lamp in use. Read our affiliate disclosure for the site's commercial approach; the manufacturer links here are ordinary source links.
Published specifications, with their limits
| Item | Redgrass states | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Colour temperature | 5000 K | A fixed stated temperature, not evidence of adjustable white light |
| Colour rendering | Extended CRI 98.5+ across R1–R15; R9 98 | Preserve the extended-CRI label rather than treating it as Ra |
| TM-30-20 | Rf 98.5; Rg 101 | Separate fidelity and gamut figures, not a combined score |
| Output | 1800 lumens; 3700 lux at 45 cm | The lux distance belongs with the number |
| Adjustment | Dimmable LEDs; two independently rotating bars | No independent assessment here of control feel or joint behaviour |
| Included mount | Desk clamp | Check the desk before ordering |
Source: Redgrass R9 product page, checked 2 November 2026. These are maker claims, not independently verified results.
What those numbers help you decide
A useful shortlist records the measurement as a whole: 3700 lux at 45 cm. Do not compare that number alone with a lamp specified at 30 cm, or calculate a substitute value for your own working distance. There is no matched comparison of head positions, lit area or measurement conditions here. A single lux figure cannot tell you whether your palette and model will both be illuminated as you want.
Similarly, extended CRI and a separate R9 value provide different information from a simple CRI headline. They help you ask more precise questions; they cannot predict the appearance of every paint finish. Keep the labels visible in the lamp specification comparer, and use the lighting guide for context before interpreting a small difference between published figures.
The dual-bar arrangement gives you a reason to investigate this model if your present problem is where the light comes from. Plan positions for both hands, the miniature and the palette. A second adjustable bar is not proof that fingers, shields or deep recesses will cast no shadows. Ask for a demonstration of the arrangement you intend to use rather than accepting a general shadow-elimination claim as a result for your bench.
Clamp fit and the setup instructions
Redgrass gives its R9 clamp a maximum opening of 71 mm. That is an opening limit, not a promise of compatibility with every thinner table. Measure the edge and check the underside for a frame, drawer or apron. Consider how much clear surface the jaws can grip and whether the furniture maker permits clamping that surface. A bevelled or obstructed edge needs clarification before purchase.
The official setup guide matters when moving the lamp. It says to seat the mounting spigot fully and tighten the retaining screw gently. The screw prevents accidental withdrawal; loosen it before rotating the arm. Follow the complete unfolding sequence in that guide rather than forcing a folded joint. Source: Redgrass clamp page and setup instructions, checked 2 November 2026.
For a small station, mark your proposed mounting point on the desk and rehearse the painting position with your existing light. Leave room to lift a model, turn a painting handle and put the brush down. The station layout guide helps organise that exercise.
Questions before purchase
- Can the supplied clamp grip your actual desk, with clearance underneath and behind it?
- Can the arm and bars reach your painting position without meeting a shelf or monitor? Ask for dimensions if the maker's diagrams leave your layout uncertain.
- Which power supply and plug will your order include for UK use? Confirm the selected variant, delivery and return terms with the seller.
- What is the usable illuminated area at your preferred height and bar angle? The published lux figure alone does not answer that.
- If dimming behaviour, electrical consumption or repairs affect your choice, can the maker provide the relevant details for the current model?
Who should investigate alternatives
A painter using a shared dining table with no suitable edge should investigate a freestanding lamp before committing to a clamp arrangement. Someone who packs everything away after each session should compare the effort of mounting, moving and storing the complete setup. A person seeking adjustable colour temperature should check models that explicitly specify it.
If your existing lamp can already reach the model and your main problem is a crowded table, start by rearranging the station. This assessment does not establish an improvement over equipment you already own. For a different mounting approach, see the DuoPro Table Lamp assessment and our guide to lamp shapes.
Sources & further reading
- Redgrass: R9 Desk Lamp specifications and included equipment — checked 2026-11-02
- Redgrass: R9 clamp dimensions and compatibility — checked 2026-11-02
- Redgrass: how to set up the R9 Desk Lamp — checked 2026-11-02