Mini Mill Lighting (also for drill press)

[H0$$]

Here is my attempt at a first time posting. Being a newbie to HMT I will try not to embarrass myself too much. This is my version of a lighting modification which I installed onto my Grizzly G8689 Mini mill. I chose to purchase Everbright 1-pair white 70mm angel eyes halo ring lamps by YM E-Bright from Amazon. At the time the cost was $11.49 with Prime shipping available for those that qualify. I have also installed a similar version onto my drill press. As a personal preference I do not like having goose neck lighting, or any other sort of attachable light source around, near, or on my machinery. However I do demand proper lighting of the work area. Now that technology in led lighting has improved, and the cost to consumer is acceptable, good lighting is finally achievable, even to the hobbyist. I started by purchasing a set of Angel Eyes led light rings from Amazon(see pic for listing). I chose this model because of it's size, clarity, and small footprint. Once I received the lights I opened the front switch compartment and drilled a small hole at the rear, and at an angle for the wires to enter into the compartment (see pic). Next I glued the light ring into position around the spindle ( these lights come with a double sided tape that is used to attach them). I then tested with a 12v power supply before proceeding. checked ok. Since I will be adding a set of 12v DRO's to this mill I decided to install a power source in the electrical junction box of the mill. This will provide a separate power source with clean power to the lights as well as the future DRO's. For mine I simply found an old 120vAC/12vDC power supply which I cut open and robbed the transformer and power board from (see pics). After cutting open the case I removed the transformer and board and then cut off the spades which plug into the wall receptacle and replaced them with some short lengths of wire. I found a location in the control panel where the new transformer would fit and yet still leave access to other important connections. The transformer and board were then attached to the inner wall with some 3M double sided tape. This will hold it in place while adding a bit of dampening for any vibration (Electronic Hum). Do not cover over any of the ventilation holes when mounting the transformer, these holes are important for ventilation and cooling of the electronic parts inside. I then pulled in a pair of wires for the light ring and also a pair of wires for the switch which I wanted mounted in the front of the mill. Next I checked for proper clearances and drilled a hole for the toggle switch ( before drilling the label cut it with an exacto razor or some other type of small blade, if not the drill bit will grab and rip the label leaving an ugly "apprentice mark" ). install the switch and connect the wires. I then connected the new 120v lead on the transformer to the 120 leads coming into the mills power cord. By tapping into this location the lighting and DRO's will be switchable independently of the mills normal operation. The light ring provides good lighting around the bit without the shadows caused by other light sources. I preferred to have the switch in the front of the mill, on a separate power source, and free of tangled wires, extra wiring, batteries, and additional power supplies. I feel this adds a clean install and modification to this mill. This basic process can be added to drill presses as well, (with some slight modifications of course). As stated above, the transformer I installed will be plenty strong enough to power the light ring as well as when I later add a small female connector or hard wire in the 12v Dro's. I hope that this mod build will help someone or inspire you to modify it for your own needs. If any further clarification is needed, if I have left anything out, just send me a message. Thanks H0$$

[olderdan]

Great first post and a nice idea, very neatly done.

[Toolmaker51]

Yes! There's no shortage of reasons that gooseneck lighting blows. LED bulbs in them is not a cure; but a cooler lamp that ignores vibration is a plus.
But it's never in the right place, while blinding operators as they manipulate, each time it falls And a lot of them aren't really machine lamps; chips work into switch cavity for your own 4th of July show, no matter what day it is.

[H0$$]

Thanks for the positive replies

[DIYer]

Thanks H0$$! We've added your Mill Light to our Lighting category,
as well as to your builder page: H0$$'s Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Mill Light by H0$$

tags: light, LED, mill

[ranald]

Great work. As an alternative, I found that rechargeable magnetic flat back LEDs solved my issues and I use them in the house, camping, in the paddock etcas well. They work great on drill press, bandsaw, & even RAS :being flat they can be twisted around & also attach to round objects like pipe. I also use an old bedlamp(weightedbase) stand to gain other access neat router table & lathe. I found two are all i need . Fine Woodworking published my tip last year.