Lighting solutions?

[KevinM]

I am struggling with getting light on the workpiece while using my lathe (not too bad) and my mill (horrible). I have overhead lighting but the mill head and my head's shadow get in the way. What do you use to light the mill table? (PM-727M)

 

[Pcmaker]

They got quite a selection of flexible LED lights on Amazon

 

[pontiac428]

I use supplemental task lighting in the form of magnetic base lamps with flexible necks for machines that don't have lights on them already. I prefer screw-in LED bulbs, so no pod lights for me. No reason to search any further than HF or Amazon here.

 

[Masterjuggler]

I don't have a mill right now but if I did I'd probably do something like this:

Just a cheap ring light around the spindle. I have something similar on my 3d printer.

 

[JimDawson]

I have found this works for me. Two 8ft twin tube LED lights on either side of the mill, each about 2ft off of the centerline and a 4ft over the lathe.



For additional lighting I use one of these (Sewing machine light, Amazon)



And in use


And on the lathe


And in use. It should be noted that I'm not very happy with this light. The switch failed after about 2 months, I haven't tried to fix it yet. Another Amazon purchase. But it was great before the switch failed.

 

[Boswell]

Here and Here are some posts about a ring light I built. lots of other post where people have adapted "Angle Eyes" for automotive use to ring or Spindle mounted lights

 

[7milesup]

I purchased a 90mm light ring from --->Super Bright LEDs. <--- Make sure you get a diffuser with them if you go with that route. It keeps the contaminants off of the LEDs and, well, diffuses the light. I used a 12 volt wall wart to drive them, which I most likely had laying around from something. 3D printed a switch holder and I was good to go. I believe I used some---> E6000 <--- to glue the light ring up to the spindle. Very happy with how it turned out.

EDIT: Make sure you get a light ring with an LED driver or purchase one separately.

 

[talvare]

I made one of the LED ring lights that attaches to the spindle housing on my mill and to be honest, I'm pretty disappointed with it. The light is plenty bright and it works fine as long as the quill is nearly fully retracted, but as the quill is lowered, it blocks the light. I'll probably go back to using a portable mag base style light.
On my lathe I have a 4 ft. two lamp LED light mounted overhead on my backsplash. It works very well. Couple of photos attached.
Ted

 

[KevinM]

I thought that I had poor light. I was making chips in a cave. 7milesup's ring light is a game changer. The gooseneck, magnifier and light combo looks really handy

 

[Pcmaker]

I wonder where you can get this style of worklight