Author Topic: ed lights for mill,,  (Read 22294 times)

Offline stirling lad

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ed lights for mill,,
« on: February 12, 2015, 10:16:52 PM »
I finally got around to fitting some of those LED lights to the mill ,,and I have to say I'm well pleased with how they work,,and they were very easy to do... I'm sure i've told you all previously that electrickery makes me bum squeak sumfing awful :zap:
but this was really straight forward to do,, i just read up on ebay about different strengths of lights and what power connector i'd need.. even after i'd ordered the stuff i decided to put an on/off switch somewhere along the power feed cable and even that came ready made,, i just had to plug it inbetween the leds and the power adaptor,The correct male/female jack plugs were already on it..
I used a idea I got from S/D David but instead of using a dog bowl for a shade like he did, i used the lid from a ss tea/coffee storage tin,, luckily the one I had happened to have a perspex centre which made it simple to cut on the lathe,,here's some photo's...




so thats me done the spindle rev counter mod, then the gas strut mod- and now the built-in lighting mod, and it's all thanks to you guys for passing on your knowledge and dishing out encouragement when it's needed..... thanks gents...

 I just have to suss out some way  to kit it out now with a reasonable DRO system and i'll finally have a decent mill,,,
Oh no!!! if I do that  I'll then have to finally start to build the Wyvern or Centuar castings that are living under my bench... it'll be a shame when i screw them up... :( :palm: :doh:,, but that disaster can keep until some point in the future...
...Mike...

Offline dawesy

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2015, 12:20:22 AM »
Very nice. Good idea that. Puts the light right where it's needed.
Lee.
wishing my workshop was larger :(

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2015, 03:55:58 AM »
Nicely done Mike!  :clap: :clap:

The lights...... Are they a strip length, not an angel eyes circle?  :scratch:

Never thought of that!  :thumbup:

David D
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Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline chipenter

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2015, 04:07:32 AM »
same idea different way cut into short lenths and wired at joines , stuck onto a piece of plastic held on with cable ties .
Jeff

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2015, 04:17:33 AM »
Nice one Jeff!  :clap: :clap:


This is my, 3yr old version.........




I feel a Modderfication, coming on........  :mmr:

David D
« Last Edit: February 13, 2015, 05:53:00 AM by Stilldrillin »
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline chipenter

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2015, 04:28:10 AM »
I did try wrapping a lenght round a piece of plastic water pipe but it took up to mutch room .
Jeff

Offline awemawson

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2015, 04:44:45 AM »
Same stuff wrapped around a 6mm rod and pushed into a 20mm o/d polycarbonate tube with end plugs to make coolant proof:
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline stirling lad

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2015, 04:22:25 PM »


  David,, its just a strip the same as Jeff has used, mostly sold in 5m lengths but i found someone on ebay selling a 1m length,,,it was much the same price as the 5m but i've enough junk lying around thats supposed to ''come in handy one day'' they come in 3  sizes from what I could see, so i went for the middle ones,,...cheap as chips though,,  The strip, the power adaptor and an on/off switch for well under £10,, it involved 2 screws 2 jack plugs then plug it in.... job done...if only all electrical bamboozallry was that easy.. :scratch:

...mike...

Offline dawesy

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2015, 09:28:01 PM »
It's very good stuff. I have some left over from the kitchen that I've replaced the boot light with in my MR2. It's like daylight in there at night.
Lee.
wishing my workshop was larger :(

Offline steampunkpete

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2015, 07:08:03 AM »
Quote
I feel a Modderfication, coming on.

Mr too, great idea.

Offline steampunkpete

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2015, 07:12:06 AM »
Quote
I've replaced the boot light with in my MR2. It's like daylight in there at night.

Very worrying:
Firstly I know how small the MR2 boot is as my son has a MkI, so how do you get in the boot to find out how bright it is? How do you sleep in there with the light on?
Secondly, the light is supposed to go out when you close the lid!

 :Doh:

Offline dawesy

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2015, 01:23:55 PM »
Haha. I meant with the boot open ;)
I've attached it to the inside of the lid and connected to the std boot light.
Lee.
wishing my workshop was larger :(

Offline Colh

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2015, 06:19:40 PM »
Hi Mike

These LED strips are making life so much easier and safer.

Did you do a post on the gas strut mod?  I have been thinking of using either gas strut or weight/pulley to balance the head on my Emco FB2 Mill.

thanks

Col
Location - Geelong, Victoria, Aus

Offline velocette

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2015, 10:14:07 PM »
Hi Mike
You have convinced me to order LED lights today for my X2 mill.
 Quick note to Col
Automotive type gas strut 24 kgs load 255 stroke and ditch the spring loaded quadrant or counter weight and bicycle roller chain you will not regret.
Apologies Mike for the intrusion.

Eric   

Online shipto

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2015, 02:28:08 PM »
Love the idea as well as the sackboy model makes me think we need a easily obtainable model we can add to pics for perspective as well as fun  :D
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline stirling lad

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2015, 03:46:36 PM »
 
 ''Sackboy'' So thats who he is!...I'd no idea, :scratch: he just appeared in my workshop one day looking a bit annoyed about something so i though it best to just let him hang around and calm down... :med:


  ...M...
« Last Edit: February 18, 2015, 04:37:32 PM by stirling lad »

Online shipto

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2015, 04:25:28 PM »
He is from littlebigplanet on the playstation.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline stirling lad

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #17 on: February 18, 2015, 04:41:08 PM »
 ahh, I thought he was something from a Tim Burton film,like nightmare before Christmas or something..

Col,  I have'nt done a mod  thread on the gas strut but there's  a lot of them out there,,  find out how much your mills head weighs then check ebay or wherever for a strut that'll lift that weight,, strut power is measured in Newtons,(N)..  ten N = 1Lb ..my mills head weighs around 15 Lb so i need to change my strut to one with a  rating of 150N  or maybe slightly more to give it a natural uplifting  motion ...The over-all (extended) length of the strut for my mill is 20", I've no Idea what length it needs to be for your mill.   Is'nt there a forum for that mill type owners?.   The strut I have on it is way to strong at 300N and rolls the head back up when I take the lock off when its on the drill press handwheel.  Its good when its on fine feed, it makes lifting the cutter from the job very easy using the fine feed knob, but I think I need to change it soon as it'll wear parts away very quickly..I have another strut ready to go on thats rated at 150N so i'll let you know how it goes...

...Mike..   :thumbup:

Offline steampunkpete

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #18 on: February 18, 2015, 06:48:13 PM »
Quote
strut power is measured in Newtons,(N)..  ten N = 1Lb

A mass of 1kg exerts a downward force of approximately 10N

Force = mass x acceleration. In this case the acceleration is that due to gravity, i.e. 9,81 m/s^2.

So 1kg mass x 9,81 m/s^2 = 9,81N ~ approximately 10N.

If you equate 1lb to 10N you will be a factor of about 2,2 in error (because there are 2,2lb in a kg)

Strictly a lb is a mass and can't be compared to a Newton, which is a unit of force. The unit of force in the imperial system is the Poundal. The Poundal is the force that will accelerate a mass of 1lb at 1 ft/s^2 (and it's a bitch to work in these fathom, firkin, fortnight units, the SI system is much simpler, and if you don't believe me try working in imperial slugs. The slug was/is an alternative unit of mass to the lb; it equated to approx 32lb because g is 32 ft/s^2. I don't recommend working in imperial slug units as it has been known to make peoples' heads explode).

Now I have mentioned slugs I'm off to find the aspirins.

Offline Colh

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #19 on: February 19, 2015, 07:08:09 PM »
Thanks Eric, Mike , Pete

When I dismantled my mill to fit the DRO scales I had the foresight to weigh the head - 27kgs.  I will look for a strut with a power around 27 Newtons. 

Another project to add to the list which is getting longer and longer.

Col
Location - Geelong, Victoria, Aus

Offline Will_D

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #20 on: February 19, 2015, 07:20:04 PM »
When I dismantled my mill to fit the DRO scales I had the foresight to weigh the head - 27kgs.  I will look for a strut with a power around 27 Newtons. 
"So 1kg mass x 9,81 m/s^2 = 9,81N ~ approximately 10N."

So you need 270 Newtons :doh:
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Offline steampunkpete

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #21 on: February 20, 2015, 02:07:22 AM »
Quote
So you need 270 Newtons

In the words of a well known Time Lord "Correctamundo". (Yes)  :)

Offline mechman48

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #22 on: February 20, 2015, 12:06:41 PM »
I wonder what Isaac would make of all this jocularity.... & leaps in science... probably ROTFLHAO..  :scratch:
George
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Offline stirling lad

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #23 on: February 20, 2015, 04:06:47 PM »


    ..So my mills head weighs around half an imperial slug......I see what you mean,,,..... where's the aspirin?? :palm:


  ...m..

Offline rleete

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #24 on: February 23, 2015, 12:34:36 PM »
I used a round "angel eye" ring.  Sold for customizing car headlights.  Bought 2 for a couple bucks, shipped.  They are 12 volt, so require a separate power supply.  for that I bought a wall wart adapter; one that's 110v in, 12v out.  That was also a couple of bucks shipped.  Both items were purchased on ebay.

The ring is the perfect size to fit around the spindle of the mill.
Creating scrap, one part at a time

Offline stirling lad

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #25 on: February 23, 2015, 03:14:17 PM »
   

     :doh: just realised my mistake in an earlier post,,, I've written 1Lb = 10 Newtons,,, thats wrong!!
luckily Steampunkpete is on hand to save the day,,, his sum is the right one,,, follow that... its 1kg thats equivalent to 10N
not 1Lb ..... if i'm not mistaken there over 2Lb in a Kg,, so my advice would be do your sums in kgs not Lbs to save any confusion...

..Mike...

Offline PJW

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #26 on: March 19, 2015, 09:20:12 AM »
I copied Stilldrilin'  method with the angel eyes lights, I am pleased with the results & I am planning to try the gas strut as well.
since I installed the belt conversion and fitted the larger hand wheel on the fine feed & fitted the light it has transformed my little miller, so thanks for the ideas :nrocks:

Peter
Old Guys Rule the Dark Side of the Shed!

Offline kayzed1

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #27 on: March 19, 2015, 08:24:47 PM »
I want to do the gas strut thing also, does anybody have any idea as to the weight of a SIEG SX2 PLUS Mini Mill head? I have a strut here but i can not move it even if i jump up and down on it :D
Lyn.

Offline steampunkpete

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #28 on: March 20, 2015, 02:19:47 AM »
Sometimes when spare parts are ordered the shipping weight is quoted somewhere during the process. I assume that would include the packaging but it would be a start for an estimate. So try ordering a spare head, but be careful not to complete the transaction!

Offline Will_D

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #29 on: March 20, 2015, 06:29:43 PM »
I want to do the gas strut thing also, does anybody have any idea as to the weight of a SIEG SX2 PLUS Mini Mill head? I have a strut here but i can not move it even if i jump up and down on it :D
Lyn.
Lyn,

First off, I am happy with my SX2P as delivered with the coil springy thing and the gibs set just right (by me)

But for the modders:

The SX2P weighs about 60 kg in total (ok they say 60 net 71 gross - whatever that means? Shipping crate weighs 11 Kg? maybe!)

Any way the mill breakes down into 3 major components:

So lets say:

Base including the slides (30 kg - listed in spares so Ok)

Column (10 kg - my guesstimate)

Head (20 kg - my guesstimate)

So for a 20 kg head thats a 200 Newton strut (I think!!0

HTH. Will
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Offline kayzed1

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #30 on: March 20, 2015, 08:10:57 PM »
Many thanks Will, i was not looking forward to pulling it all apart again just the find out the weight of the head.
I too am mostly happy with the mill but for the spring, if i slack off the lock screw with the at the top it will drop
half way down...

Offline SwarfnStuff

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #31 on: March 21, 2015, 12:56:58 AM »
Lyn,
You could, at a pinch, remove the spring, slacken off the Gibs on the column and set your bathroom scales under the quill. This should give you an approximation of the weight?? I have the old X2 mill and after a head drop turned my gears into plastic confetti I made the belt conversion plus added a gas strut inside the column. For me, a most worthwhile exercise. Just had a look but cannot see the specs on the strut.
John B
Converting good metal into swarf sometimes ending up with something useful. ;-)

Offline velocette

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #32 on: March 21, 2015, 01:27:18 PM »
Hi
Remember do NOT forget to add the weight of the LED lights into the calculations for the number of Newtons needed to support the mill head.
This thread certainly got "Modded".

Eric

Offline kayzed1

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #33 on: March 21, 2015, 09:02:32 PM »
Thank you for the Info John B, will give that a go on Sunday..Is the spring very springy? don't much fancy loosing a finger.
Lyn.

Offline Will_D

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #34 on: March 22, 2015, 05:11:11 AM »
With the head fully up to the top of its travel there is very little torsional force in the spring!

When I first took mine apart I was a bit nervous but do not worry.
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Offline stirling lad

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #35 on: March 22, 2015, 02:05:53 PM »
I agree with will, theres not much spring left in the torsion set up when you have the head fully wound up ..I was nervous too when uncoupling it but it was easily held with one hand strength..you can use a spanner or something similar to give you a bit added purchase to hold it from springing out but really there is'nt very much ping left in it when you have the head right up,, thats probably why most people have trouble with the head dropping when its up high,,,I'm sure the heads of the x2's are around
15-17kgs and thats why the usual strength of gas strut for this mod is 150n to 170n,,, I used a 300n one which is way to strong and rolls the head back up if i don't slow it down with the drill handle,,,i have a 150n one to replace it but have'nt got round to it yet...I use a 20" overall length of gas strut but others have used shorter ones ..Lyn, you wont be able to get any movement on a gas strut until its fixed to something solid then lever action is applied,, i'd suggest that if you can get movement on your strut by just using your hands, then it's probably no good...hope this is of some help,,oh and use steampunkpetes maths for working out the sums,, he knows what he's talking about,,,
..mike..

Offline kayzed1

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #36 on: March 22, 2015, 08:29:20 PM »
Thank you all for your help, i did not get to have a go at the strut today as Home type stuff got in the way BUT i will look at it tomorrow.
Many thanks again.
Lyn.

Offline markball2

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #37 on: October 10, 2015, 02:46:20 PM »
What I use................
I haven't always been a nurse..................

Craftsman 12 x 36 lathe
New to me Enco GL-30B Mill/Drill

Offline tom osselton

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Re: ed lights for mill,,
« Reply #38 on: October 10, 2015, 03:13:30 PM »
I have the powerfist light also purchased from Princess Auto.