Loading press lighting ideas

Ivan the Butcher · Aug 9, 2023

In my mailbox yesterday was the latest Dillon's "Blue Press" and on page 84 was an add for the CED Universal Reloading Machine light. Magnetic mount and a flexible arm for the LED light. It runs $25+ S&H. Looks pretty good, but I have a Ryobi +1 18 volt work light with flexible arm that's twice as long several times as bright and I already own it! The Ryobi light also has a 3+" 2.5x magnifier with a 3/4" "window" of 5x. Two brightness settings and can sit on your loading bench OR the built in clamp will hold it to just about anything less than 1 3/4" thick or same diameter.

It will flood any style of brand or press with light and will be available for work or hobby projects (including camping or cooking out!) Cost retail is around $79, but Ryobi has a special instore offer at Home Depot that a two battery pack and the light (or several other tools) is only $99.00. Since I needed the batteries anyway the light was basically free!

Ivan

Sorry, I'm a Luddite and don't post pictures.

kamloops67 · Aug 9, 2023

Hello Ivan
What you have will work well , but if your eyes are like mine you might do better with incandescent bulbs . I can see depth and detail much more readily than I can with LED
My loading bench has a fluorescent bar and incandescent bulbs for light
I do have a couple magnetic LED Olights though one for my safe ,so I can see the ticks on the dial and one in my truck

WR Moore · Aug 9, 2023

I went cost conscious: 4 foot 2 tube on sale, right over the loading bench.

johnjohn · Aug 9, 2023

I have my presses lit up with 2 "sewing machine lights" from Amazon. $8 each. they have magnetic bases and mount out of the way on my Inline Fabrication quick change base. Don't get in the way to change presses.

Ivan the Butcher · Aug 9, 2023

I've never had problems seeing in the "window" on my Dillon 550 or the RCBS Rock Chucker with the ceiling mounted 4' replacement LED tubes. However for some reason people set up a dim lighted loading bench then want a light for the press.

The sewing machine lights sounds like a good idea too! But then again, when we set up my wife's sewing table, it already has plenty of light!

I had never thought about too much light or the wrong color of light. My guess is that reloading wasn't ment to be done in a dark closet or a Red Light District!

tlawler · Aug 9, 2023

I just finished setting up my second 550 in the man cave. I mounted one of Harbor Freight’s 4 tube LEDs over it and picked up another KMS UFO light for the press itself. The LED goes for $55, but I got it on sale for about $42, IIRC (I bought it awhile ago and it’s been mounted in the garage). The UFO light was only $17 through Amazon because I just got the bare light, not the power supply and switch. I have one on my other 550 out in the garage, so I’ll just swap power supplies back and forth. I also have a borescope camera that looks down through the center hole in the tool head for a birdseye view of the shell plate that syncs to an ipad.

Chubbs103 · Aug 9, 2023

Ivan the Butcher said:
I've never had problems seeing in the "window" on my Dillon 550 or the RCBS Rock Chucker with the ceiling mounted 4' replacement LED tubes. However for some reason people set up a dim lighted loading bench then want a light for the press.

The sewing machine lights sounds like a good idea too! But then again, when we set up my wife's sewing table, it already has plenty of light!

I had never thought about too much light or the wrong color of light. My guess is that reloading wasn't ment to be done in a dark closet or a Red Light District!

I've got good lighting over my bench. I also use one of the magnetic base goose neck lights because it throws light right into the case.

I find it essential for fast powders in long cases.

Nightowl · Aug 9, 2023

I bought one of those special lights that is sized for the hole in the tool head, I think it was made by InLine, but don't remember. It is totally unnecessary.

Baltimoreed11754 · Aug 9, 2023

I have four swivel parallel arm desk lamp that are mounted to my shelving so I can swing them left right up down to illuminate any of my presses from both sides. Or can illuminate work on the desk.

Alk8944 · Aug 10, 2023

I have a scissor or pantograph light similar to this. I have had it ever since 1958. It can be moved to light anywhere on the. bench. It is mounted on the shelves on top of my loading bench. If you look on Etsy.com you will probably be able to find something like it. This one is kind of pricey!

Krogen · Aug 10, 2023

I have one of these on my Dillon. Bright, even light with no shadows. I am well-pleased!

Collections
– KMS2

Tex1001 · Aug 14, 2023

kamloops67 said:
Hello Ivan
What you have will work well , but if your eyes are like mine you might do better with incandescent bulbs . I can see depth and detail much more readily than I can with LED
My loading bench has a fluorescent bar and incandescent bulbs for light
I do have a couple magnetic LED Olights though one for my safe ,so I can see the ticks on the dial and one in my truck

Photons must work differently in northern latitudes.

Seriously, as long as it works for somebody, whatever works.

Charlie Foxtrott · Aug 14, 2023

Recently on the urging of my wife.

I installed a plant grow light. A similar spectrum to natural sunlight. I should have done it long ago.

ACORN · Aug 14, 2023

johnjohn said:
I have my presses lit up with 2 "sewing machine lights" from Amazon. $8 each. they have magnetic bases and mount out of the way on my Inline Fabrication quick change base. Don't get in the way to change presses.

Exactly what I did.

S&W Oldtimer · Aug 14, 2023

Welcome from Va.

sjmjax · Aug 14, 2023

I’m very pleased with my UFO light. A little time consuming to install. But, a very neat and effective result.

71vette · Aug 14, 2023

sjmjax said:
I’m very pleased with my UFO light. A little time consuming to install. But, a very neat and effective result.

Same. Mine’s been installed on my 550 for almost two years now. I can see down into pistol cases and verify powder very easy. IMHO a great upgrade.

Rule3 · Aug 15, 2023

Ivan the Butcher said:
In my mailbox yesterday was the latest Dillon's "Blue Press" and on page 84 was an add for the CED Universal Reloading Machine light. Magnetic mount and a flexible arm for the LED light. It runs $25+ S&H. Looks pretty good, but I have a Ryobi +1 18 volt work light with flexible arm that's twice as long several times as bright and I already own it! The Ryobi light also has a 3+" 2.5x magnifier with a 3/4" "window" of 5x. Two brightness settings and can sit on your loading bench OR the built in clamp will hold it to just about anything less than 1 3/4" thick or same diameter.

It will flood any style of brand or press with light and will be available for work or hobby projects (including camping or cooking out!) Cost retail is around $79, but Ryobi has a special instore offer at Home Depot that a two battery pack and the light (or several other tools) is only $99.00. Since I needed the batteries anyway the light was basically free!

Ivan

Sorry, I'm a Luddite and don't post pictures.

CED Universal Reloading Machine Light

Rule3 · Aug 15, 2023

Krogen said:
I have one of these on my Dillon. Bright, even light with no shadows. I am well-pleased!

Collections
– KMS2

I put one on both of my presses. KMS2

Collections
– KMS2

Loading press lighting ideas

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