DIY Lee Turret lighting upgrade. What a difference!

[colonelhogan44]

This morning I was loading some reduced loads at about 40% density using red dot, and since the "dot" powders occasionally bridge and fail to throw on my pro auto disk, I check each case for the proper charge. I got weary of having to remove the case each time to inspect the powder charge under the bench light, so I went inside and spent a few minutes in design time, then a bit of printer time, then a few minutes with the soldering iron and I now have this:





It securely snaps onto the posts of any Lee turret or progressive press with the 5/8 posts.

Before:



After:



What a huge difference! I made a couple extras, they run on 12v (since I have a 12v supply on my bench). If you want one, PM me.

 

[Duster340]

Very cool. Sure beats shining a flash light on each case! Thanks for sharing.

 

[RedRyder73]

I'm going to use my first post to tell you that is one of the most clever ideas I've seen. I also use the Classic Turret and have been searching for a solution. Well done!

 

[Metal God]

Thats cool and looks brighter then my idea . I use a book light that has a wire extension for the light . It clips onto one of the posts and I swing it around to shine on the case . Works good

https://www.amazon.com/slp/warm-book-light/jzx8wg7pkf336ro

 

[Demi-human]

Now that is some light! Well done indeed, @colonelhogan44.
What printer do you use?

Welcome to the forum, @RedRyder73.

 

[GBExpat]

Nice work, colonelhogan44!

For a few years I have used one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/EVISWIY-Ligh...ewing+machine+light+led&qid=1590061611&sr=8-6

 

[frankmako]

good job you all ways need more light when you are reloading.

 

[fpgt72]

Fantastic idea.

 

[Bartojc]

Great idea. I use the strips from Inline Fab, but yours looks nice. I wish I had access to a 3d printer

One thing is for sure, once you have light you'll wonder how you ever made due without.

-Jeff

 

[Rule3]

I already have one or I would buy one from you.

Actually I want a 3D printer! I could make "ghost" guns, missiles and rocket launchers and cool stuff!

 

[colonelhogan44]

Now that is some light! Well done indeed, @colonelhogan44.
What printer do you use?

Welcome to the forum, @RedRyder73.

This part was run on a Flashforge Creator Pro. It's a Chinese clone of the Makerbot Replicator 2, but it works pretty well and I actually run it more than the "real" Makerbot Replicator 2x that sits next to it.

 

[colonelhogan44]

I finished building 5 more this morning:



I've put them up for sale here:
https://borebuddy.com/product/led-light-kit-lee/

Work is (very) slow, so I have the time to keep making them if these are not enough.

 

[Tilos]

Nice light
My needs are somewhat different in that I swap out different presses to the same spot on my bench so need a "universal" light.
Without the skills needed to fabricate lights, I searched online for that light and found these, goose neck sewing machine lights with a built in 12v converter, a mag base and on/off switch.

Attached via the magnet to a empty/weighted powder jug, taped shut to avoid confusion
Bought from Amazon, 2 lights for $16 shipped:
https://www.amazon.com/EVISWIY-Ligh...V7E4SV61Q20&psc=1&refRID=C73N4MTCMV7E4SV61Q20
Other lights:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=led+sewing+machine+light&ref=choice_dp_b

Something a little different,

Edit: Sorry for the echo of post #6

 

[drband]

I finished building 5 more this morning:

View attachment 918156

I've put them up for sale here:
https://borebuddy.com/product/led-light-kit-lee/

Work is (very) slow, so I have the time to keep making them if these are not enough.

So, you just solder on a connector to fit your power supply? Does a usb power plug work?

 

[colonelhogan44]

So, you just solder on a connector to fit your power supply? Does a usb power plug work?

Either that, or use a supply that has alligator clips, junction blocks, etc. I figured most people in this community would be able scrounge a old wall pack and hack the wires off it and connect them. A large number of household electronics use a 12v DC pack that can be repurposed. Routers are almost always a 12v pack. Car battery chargers and jumper packs also can be used to power the light. You could even reload in your car with great lighting as the wife drives!

The USB cable is 5v, so it will not light up the current lights. I have some 5v LEDs and USB cable pigtails on order for revision 2, but they have not arrived yet since this device is only 24 hours past being an idea.

 

[AMraider]

Just ordered one. I have been looking for something like this.

 

[HDMontana]

Nice light
My needs are somewhat different in that I swap out different presses to the same spot on my bench so need a "universal" light.
Without the skills needed to fabricate lights, I searched online for that light and found these, goose neck sewing machine lights with a built in 12v converter, a mag base and on/off switch.

Attached via the magnet to a empty/weighted powder jug, taped shut to avoid confusion
Bought from Amazon, 2 lights for $16 shipped:
https://www.amazon.com/EVISWIY-Ligh...V7E4SV61Q20&psc=1&refRID=C73N4MTCMV7E4SV61Q20
Other lights:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=led+sewing+machine+light&ref=choice_dp_b

Something a little different,

Edit: Sorry for the echo of post #6

I also use a similar light to this. Put a large washer on my bench top, next to press, with silicone. Magnetic light base sticks to it.

 

[drband]

Either that, or use a supply that has alligator clips, junction blocks, etc. I figured most people in this community would be able scrounge a old wall pack and hack the wires off it and connect them. A large number of household electronics use a 12v DC pack that can be repurposed. Routers are almost always a 12v pack. Car battery chargers and jumper packs also can be used to power the light. You could even reload in your car with great lighting as the wife drives!

The USB cable is 5v, so it will not light up the current lights. I have some 5v LEDs and USB cable pigtails on order for revision 2, but they have not arrived yet since this device is only 24 hours past being an idea.

Thanks! That's what I needed to know.

 

[buddyd157]

i have some spare LED lights, from a couple of my fish tanks. they have the ac/dc adapter as well.

i was "considering" getting a Lee Classic Turrent Press myself, sometime at end of summer. in the meantime, i'll be trying to save as many of my spent casings as well.

 

[drband]

The LCT benefits from LED lighting (as do most presses). I currently have a LED strip tied to one of the vertical turret supports (I think it's a Hornady light strip, but I had to replace the LED strip with generic when the original dimmed and quit working). You can just see the strip behind the near support on my LCT. But if I did not have this setup, I would certainly order a unit from @colonelhogan44 because I think the above ram position is much better for the LED.

 

[colonelhogan44]

I fabbed up some cable clips this morning to make sure the wires stay close the the column:

 

[Slow Joe Crow]

Clever and a cool use of 3D printing. Are you considering other designs?

 

[colonelhogan44]

Clever and a cool use of 3D printing. Are you considering other designs?

What did you have in mind? I'm always open to ideas and I have free time these days, which is pretty rare in my world.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I applaud the OP's ingenuity and industriousness, but some might want to try these at $24: https://smile.amazon.com/KMS-Square...1&keywords=lee+turret+press+light&qid=1590195

The KM lights come in various configurations for Turret presses, Hornady presses, Loadmasters, etc.

 

[GBExpat]

Here is a quickpic of my press with the ~$8 light (see post#s 6 & 13) that I use: