Good lighting is essential when working with machine tools. The problem with most conventional machine lights is that they are very directional and whilst one side is well lit the other side is in deep shadow. This problem can be alleviated by having two lights shining from two opposing directions. The other problem with conventional machine lights is that they tend to restrict the operators view by physically being in the way.
In recent years LED ring lights, photo 1, also known as “Angel Eyes”, have become available in a range of sizes. These are popular with car enthusiasts as enhancements to the standard vehicle lights. They are usually rated for 12-volt power supplies, come in sizes from 40mm diameter up to at least 160mm diameter, and come in every colour of the rainbow. There are many suppliers of such ring lights on eBay. Potentially these ring lights can provide all-round lighting for the mill spindle.
I bought two 80mm ring lights to experiment with on the mill. These had 24 white LEDs mounted around the ring.
First version
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Model Engineers' Workshop.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Model Engineers' Workshop.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Readers' Workshops - Patrick Cubbon
Patrick Cubbon describes his workshops – a portable one from 1963 and the current accommodation
Desktop Gear Hobbing
Toby Kinsey has designed this fascinating piece of gearmaking equipment
The John Stevenson Trophy 2020
Many readers and forum members will remember John Stevenson, a contributor to MEW but best known for his larger-than life presence on the Model Engineer forum.
From the Archives: Twist drill Sharpening by the Four Facet Method
Giles Parkes, MEW Issue 64, February/March 2000
Dividing on the Warco 220 Lathe
Peter Shaw describes a mandrel dividing attachment for this popular lathe that can be adapted to fit many other benchtop machines
Choosing Steels
Stub Mandrel offers some advice on choosing the right steel for the job
A Storage Story
Robin King shares the lessons learned from his experience of workshop moves
A Simple Drill Grinding Aid
A newcomer to our hobby was having trouble sharpening drills, so Howard Lewis made a simple aid for him
Yet Another Bodge-Up!
Peter Shaw finds a use for some aged homebrew slot drills.
Workshop Press Tooling Part 2
Will Doggett makes a set of tooling for his press tool described starting in issue 285