LED lighting started to become commercially popular/viable about 15 years ago and has seen significant improvements over that time, such that there are now many choices available with respect to lamp (I’m going to call them bulbs) type, size, voltage, lumen output efficiency, color temperature, etc. This has driven the availability of smaller bulb sizes and increased lumen output, which has created an opportunity to utilize LED bulbs to retrofit and improve the lighting on our woodworking machines that already have lights incorporated into them and, perhaps more importantly, provide an opportunity to incorporate lighting into machines that currently lack it.
For this program, WPW member Bill James will provide an overview of how LEDs can easily be incorporated into our shop spaces and machines, including a photo (and possibly video) tour of four “previously dark” machines (drill press, disc sander, and two band saws) for which he made integrated fixtures that utilize MR16 LED bulbs. Because of the very low watt/amperage draw and heat output of LED bulbs, these shop-made fixtures are made of wood, something everyone reading this should be able to do (we’ll discuss safety at the meeting)! His presentation will also cover the wiring options and pros/cons of having machine lighting automatically turn on/off with the machine. 110v, 220v, and 220v 3-phase machines are all easily lit (Bill will discuss “world” bulbs that will operate on any of these voltages — they’re readily available!) and, although not his preference, Bill will discuss the use of low voltage (12v or 24v) lighting that can be incorporated in exactly the same ways. Join us and come in from the dark…