Lighting for routers

[derekcohen]

I have a few routers, which get occasional use. Over the past year or so I have been experimenting with a Makita trim router for removing waste from half-blind dovetails (see link below if interested).


The only issue I have with the little Makita is that it does not have a built-in light, which makes seeing details a little more difficult. It is a powerful and nimble router, with excellent dust control. I wanted to improve this one area. So I have looked around for quite a while at several strategies, such as training a spot light or clamping on a book light. These are have short comings.


A few weeks ago, I received a notice from Lee Valley about a Task Light they were offering. It was designed for their router base. And cheap ($15 USD). I ordered a few.


https://i.postimg.cc/R0Jr9dT4/Packaging.jpg


These are very small LED flashlights. They attach to a holder with rare earth magnets. The holder is screwed to the base of the router. I will show ways I have done this with mine.


In addition to to the trim router, the router I like for general use is this old Elu ...


https://i.postimg.cc/JhdSzC50/1a.jpg


There was a convenient hole for the screw holding the flashlight stand ...


https://i.postimg.cc/NM9SyCd4/3a.jpg


And on ..


https://i.postimg.cc/6QQDKpRF/2a.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/Hs4K7y9f/4a.jpg


The Makita trim router that started this search ...


https://i.postimg.cc/Bb2zpL9P/5a.jpg


The stand was attached to the secondary base ...


https://i.postimg.cc/VLcp6Rnq/6a.jpg


This is how it in use before the light ...


https://i.postimg.cc/ZRGg6Pgh/7a.jpg


Now light one ...


https://i.postimg.cc/tR68pfZR/8a.jpg


The Makita comes with a plunge base as well, and this is a useful router for inlay and smaller details.


https://i.postimg.cc/pLWSQL0y/9a.jpg


The holder screws into one of the fence rod knobs. Only one knob is needed (the other side only uses one), so it is a convenient spot. Not perfect, but the best that I have come up with so far.


https://i.postimg.cc/0yVBV13n/10a.jpg


Light off ...


https://i.postimg.cc/g0rB5BbW/11a.jpg


Light on ...


https://i.postimg.cc/PqcFkzd8/12a.jpg


I hope this helps someone.


Regards from Perth


Derek

[aldav]

Derek, you've pictured two different trim routers and called them both Makitas. :wink:

[derekcohen]

You ... have eagle eyes! :U

Yep, one is Makita and the other is “that” copy ... but both are in Makita bases.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[orraloon]

Could find a few other places to use one of those lights. Bandsaw comes to mind. I use a magnetic base flex neck LED at the moment but can be a bit of a fiddle getting the light just where it's most needed. That little light would be a tidier fix.
Regards
John

[derekcohen]

John, I tried so many lights in the past year. This book light was relegated to the drill press (pretty good there) after first the router and then the bandsaw ...

https://i.postimg.cc/rpPRHBfT/Light2.jpg

.. then replaced by button lights (I posted these lately) ...

https://i.postimg.cc/G2sjNTSK/light4.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/gkpKSJyy/light6.jpg


... and finally by a bicycle light ...


https://i.postimg.cc/fbjcV0Gn/bike-light1a.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/3wHjrZbF/bike-light2a.jpg


I am waiting on delivery of a different light from LV for the bandsaw. I will post about it after it arrives: Battery-Powered Magnetic LED Orb Light - Lee Valley Tools (https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/home/lighting/specialty-lights/110645-battery-powered-magnetic-led-orb-light)


Regards from Perth

Derek

[orraloon]

Thanks for pointing out those lights. Being LV I was surprised how little they cost. Time I had a serious look at what else is out there to help about the shed.
Regards
John

[Wongdai]

This is a really useful thread. I have found lately that my shed lighting is leaving a lot to be desired. Something to do with my ageing eyes as well I suspectd.

I have considered adding a drop ceiling into my shed to bring my flouros to the work area, but this is a longer term idea.

I like the idea of these smaller lights which can attack to the tools in question. I did experiment with some led strips but they required plugging into a power source which was non optimal.

I think I will give these little fellows a go (or at least something similar from Banggood which might be cheaper).

[Midnight Man]

Thanks for pointing out those lights. Being LV I was surprised how little they cost. Time I had a serious look at what else is out there to help about the shed.
Regards
John

Dangerous territory that Lee Valley site, be assured of that!

One thing I got from them that I enjoy using, mainly if you're a person who has some MFT work surfaces, is this: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/workshop/lighting/71189-magnetic-mount-led-work-light which you team up with this: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/workshop/lighting/101469-steel-mounting-plate-for-magnetic-mount-led-work-light and this: Dog-Hole Posts for Magnetic-Mount LED Work Light - Lee Valley Tools (https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/workshop/lighting/101470-dog-hole-posts-for-magnetic-mount-led-work-light)

It effectively gives you a flex-head worklight that you can stick into an MFT size dog hole.

I have another couple on my wish list for the next LV order.

[RossM]

I've nee meaning to experiment using the current rage in smartphone accessories - selfie ring-lights.

468578

These are cheap from FleaBay, Amazon or AliExpress e.g see this link (might not persist as its Amazon, but if not just search for selfie ring light) (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WD43MHJ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07WD43MHJ&pd_rd_w=Gjjvu&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=ewKuZ&pf_rd_r=2V8HJ0BJ9VX2S844H6F8&pd_rd_r=03d48053-9ddb-451e-ac13-31bce757d267&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMNjIySlNXNjlOV0gmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NTg4MjEzVVRDQllONlZKOFJLJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyODI3NDNDRjk5TzY0OENGVkMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl)

Also considering one of these for drill press - from Tormach - here's their link 32700 - Pro Ring Light with SuperBright LEDs (https://www.tormach.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=32700)
468579

[derekcohen]

Ross, I have a few of these rings at home, ordered for routers. I have no doubt that they illuminate well, but attaching them is not so easy (the air vents become obscured), and then they need 12v batteries, which are not tiny (well, I have not found one the size of a 9v battery). So I passed on them and went searching elsewhere.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Buytiktoklikes]

Nice

[Chris Parks]

I bought two of these for my drill press, there are various sizes available.

100mm White COB LED SMD Angel Eyes Halo Ring Fog DRL Light Bulb With Lampshades | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100mm-White-COB-LED-SMD-Angel-Eyes-Halo-Ring-Fog-DRL-Light-Bulb-With-Lampshades/322104882368?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)