Drill press light

[drifter_r6]

I'm looking for a drill press light. Would like to have 360' lighting of the work space without having to have long goose necks dangling in the way. Maybe something along the lines of this... possibly adjustable brightness. Open to ideas or other suggestions.

thanks in advance.

 

[Chucktin]

Neat idea. Could you use one of those inspection lights (has a ring FL tube) and remove the lens?

 

[2oolhound]

here you go:

https://www.amazon.com/Fulton-Drill-Press-LED-Light/dp/B00A1Q0UQW

 

[zkling]

Look for mill spindle / quill lights.

 

[marinusdees]

You can buy led ring lights in almost any diameter on ebay for cheap. Dimensions called out in millimeters, typically. I bought an appropriate power supply and
put it inside the head of the drill press and wired it in with the existing lamp. I glued small rare earth magnets (Dollar store) on the back of the light to hold it around the bottom of the quill.
This was cheaper than a made-for-the -purpose light.

 

[Bill C]

My Craftsman 100 had lots of open space in the middle of the main drill press casting in front of the column and behind the quill. As such, I used this internal space to mount a LED bulb on a flexible arm. The light is hard-wired with a switch and controlled independently of the drill motor. The light is completely out of the way and can be adjusted if needed. It provides plenty of light directly onto the drill table.
Here are some pics:







Here it is lit up:

 

[drifter_r6]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions and ideas!

 

[1/2 Cup]

My Craftsman 100 had lots of open space in the middle of the main drill press casting in front of the column and behind the quill. As such, I used this internal space to mount a LED bulb on a flexible arm. The light is hard-wired with a switch and controlled independently of the drill motor. The light is completely out of the way and can be adjusted if needed. It provides plenty of light directly onto the drill table.
Here are some pics:







Here it is lit up:

AZ Dean Great work

 

[tarbellb]

Good suggestions above.

Ebay ring LED lights are cheap, and easy to install if you have basic low voltage experience (plus is low voltage, easy to experiment!)

But if you want a easy plug and play non360 option, a "LED sewing light" off Ebay or Amazon is a excellent quick/cheap solution.

 

[txvwnut]

I'm looking for a drill press light. Would like to have 360' lighting of the work space without having to have long goose necks dangling in the way. Maybe something along the lines of this... possibly adjustable brightness. Open to ideas or other suggestions.

thanks in advance.

I have one of these on my mill. I made small brackets and mounted it directly to the body of the mill head instead of the quill like shown in the pic. It does a good job of giving light to the area but does leave a shadow directly under the quill.

 

[tarmy]

Magnetic base...Amazon...20 bucks.

 

[JRC3]

My cheapo bench-top blue Ryobi has a light built in. Might be time to find a nice bright LED to screw into the E12 socket.

 

[Ratchet Guy]

My Craftsman 100 had lots of open space in the middle of the main drill press casting in front of the column and behind the quill. As such, I used this internal space to mount a LED bulb on a flexible arm. The light is hard-wired with a switch and controlled independently of the drill motor. The light is completely out of the way and can be adjusted if needed. It provides plenty of light directly onto the drill table.
Here are some pics:

Here it is lit up:

That's a very nice drill press you have there

 

[rharman]

My Craftsman 100 had lots of open space in the middle of the main drill press casting in front of the column and behind the quill. As such, I used this internal space to mount a LED bulb on a flexible arm. The light is hard-wired with a switch and controlled independently of the drill motor. The light is completely out of the way and can be adjusted if needed. It provides plenty of light directly onto the drill table.
Here are some pics:

That's similar to my Craftsman floor model but the light was built in with a plastic lens covering it. Replaced the bulb with a 5000k LED and it is awesome.

 

[ndnchf]

I made an LED ring light from a cheap headlight ring off ebay. I used an old computer power cord that stepped down the voltage. Very simple and cheap to make. It is the best upgrade you can make. It is VERY bright and there are no shadows.

 

[endangeredspecies]

My Craftsman 100 had lots of open space in the middle of the main drill press casting in front of the column and behind the quill. As such, I used this internal space to mount a LED bulb on a flexible arm. The light is hard-wired with a switch and controlled independently of the drill motor. The light is completely out of the way and can be adjusted if needed. It provides plenty of light directly onto the drill table.
Here are some pics:







Here it is lit up:

I have a floor standing version of this press, soon to be rebuilt. I’ve been wondering how to get shadow-free light onto the workpiece. This looks brilliant, and I’m going to steal it. Thanks!

 

[no704]

Tried one of those ring lights on the mill. Was less than impressed.

 

[FrankLee]

I made a handful of these. This one is installed on my 100.

 

[RMERR]

I made a handful of these. This one is installed on my 100.

View attachment 2002595 View attachment 2002597 View attachment 2002596

Nice install! Not to hijack the thread, but gotta ask how you did the cut-a-way pic FrankLee? Very impressive.

 

[FrankLee]

Nice install! Not to hijack the thread, but gotta ask how you did the cut-a-way pic FrankLee? Very impressive.

Thank you.
I used a circular saw with an abrasive metal cutting blade. For areas that the abrasive blade didn't reach, I used a recip saw with a metal cutting blade. Another cutaway in a short video here.

 

[39 LaSalle]

I made a handful of these. This one is installed on my 100.

View attachment 2002595 View attachment 2002597 View attachment 2002596

That's roughly what I did with my Craftsman 150 using a pull chain socket. Works great and is like having a mini spotlight mounted in there.

 

[y'sguy]

I made a handful of these. This one is installed on my 100.

View attachment 2002595 View attachment 2002597 View attachment 2002596

I've always liked this approach, Frank Lee, it reminds me I need to get around to doing my DP this way. Mucho better.

 

[Rockable]

I use this one on my drill press. The magnetic base is very strong, so you can actually plant it on the head of the press and adjust it. Also, you can use it for other things. The light is plenty bright for this use, too.

500 Lumen LED Rechargeable Magnetic Handheld Foldable Slim Bar Work Light

Amazing deals on this 500 Lumen Slim Bar Folding Work Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[endangeredspecies]

I hadn’t even thought about that. Getting this delivered today to light the deep dark recesses within my storage cabinets.
I can just grab one and stick it on the bottom of the drill head when it’s time to make some holes?

Milwaukee 445 Lumens LED REDLITHIUM USB Rover Pocket Flood Light 2112-21 - The Home Depot

The MILWAUKEE REDLITHIUM USB ROVER Pocket Flood Light is powered by REDLITHIUM USB and allows users to stick it, wear it, and carry it anywhere. This small floodlight delivers users 445 lumens of TRUEVIEW

www.homedepot.com

 

[sparkness]

mounted a MR11 led on my Buffalo 15, plenty bright 245 lumens

 

[endangeredspecies]

Loving all the ideas.
When I begin the rebuild I’ll see if I can snake an LED in there like FrankLee and BillC. If it’s beyond my skill level, I can make sure the Milwaukee flood light has a good spot to rest, and a strong enough magnet to hold.

 

[Davefr]

I guess it depends how you mount it, but I've never had a gooseneck style actually get in the way. I thought about microscope lights but I don't like the idea of any quill mounted light with a power cord in the way.