Lighting for routers

**derekcohen** · 9th February 2020, 01:43 AM

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.

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 ...

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

And on ..

The Makita trim router that started this search ...

The stand was attached to the secondary base ...

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

Now light one ...

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

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.

Light off ...

Light on ...

I hope this helps someone.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**aldav** · 9th February 2020, 09:14 AM

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

**derekcohen** · 9th February 2020, 10:49 AM

You ... have eagle eyes!

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

Regards from Perth

Derek

**orraloon** · 10th February 2020, 01:37 PM

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** · 10th February 2020, 01:41 PM

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 ...

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

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

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

Regards from Perth

Derek

**orraloon** · 11th February 2020, 02:54 PM

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** · 12th February 2020, 05:42 PM

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** · 12th February 2020, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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...led-work-light which you team up with this: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop...led-work-light and this: Dog-Hole Posts for Magnetic-Mount LED Work Light - Lee Valley Tools

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** · 13th February 2020, 12:20 PM

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

ringlight.jpg

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)

Also considering one of these for drill press - from Tormach - here's their link 32700 - Pro Ring Light with SuperBright LEDs
32700_Pro-Ring_Light_IMG_8924.jpg

**derekcohen** · 13th February 2020, 02:25 PM

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** · 25th March 2020, 06:03 PM

Nice

**Chris Parks** · 25th March 2020, 07:59 PM

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

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