For many years I’ve used the LED strip lights for my reloading presses and have always been disappointed in the difficulty in providing enough light, especially when trying to see the powder charge in rifle cartridges.  Another pain is when changing tool heads  and moving the light strip out of the way.



Well there have been advances in LED technology in the past 5 years and when I built this spindle lamp for my mini mill I was blown away in how much light each bulb puts out.





I bought a few different LEDs to play with



Time to explore options for replacing the LED strips with these new high output center mounted bulbs.
Some of the considerations are that the Dillon 650 has a larger center hole then the 550 and that the press ram does not enter this hole on the 650 as happens on the 550.

In order to have maximum output across the shell plate,  the LED should protrude below the mounting hole.

On the 650 that easy because there is adequate space between the tool head and ram when fully extended.



Disassemble the bulb from the base, turn and drill an insert to the proper depth and 650 light is good to go.





The 550 presented more of a challenge because the smaller hole diameter was too small for the larger LED array.  It also normally would not allow the bulb to be mounted below the tool head surface because of the ram entering the tool head when fully extended.

Using a smaller diameter LED assembly was step one and after turning and drilling  the mounting assembly it was game on. Also note that the LED is slightly recessed and the mounting ring lip actually contacts the ram, not the LED.



I came up with what I (tongue in cheek) refer to as the turtle head light.  It is spring loaded so it extends well below the tool head and is pushed back up into it’s shell when the ram is extended



The ram pushing the bulb up



Here you can see the spring wire that pushes bulb below the tool head.



A variation on this uses a larger LED array.





And retracted




In a well lit room with 6 overhead florescent lights you can see how well the presses are illuminated with their new lights.








And one shot of my shop

Nice setup, and your shop looks to be the ultimate man cave.

Now what's the oscilloscope for?

Nice.. wish someone would come up with better lighting for 1050...

I am using the Inline kit for 550. Similar center insert.

The oscilloscope is part of my ham station.

here are a couple pics of the rest of the shop

A number of years ago I also added an auto LED brake light fixed to a 20ga shotgun hull with a lead soldered to it, and slipped into the center hole of my XL650's Toolhead to light up the Shellplate perfectly.  Like the OP found, the LED gives the best lighting coverage if it protrudes just below the Toolhead.  Then I mounted the transformer and a on/off switch on the press on the back of the wooden allen wrench holder I also made in a hollowed out wooden support to electrically isolate it from the press. (Isolating the switch from the press is a requirement as there's both a possible shock hazard and sparks near gunpowder just ain't never going to make it into the 'Best Practices' listing of the right thing to do.)  BTW, I removed the allen wrenches that slide into the holes in the wood block in front of the switch in the picture below so you can see the switch better.



I mounted the converter to the press with a Tye-Wrap to keep it out of the way and allow me to run the wire for the light over the top of the Toolhead but with enough slack so that I can pull it out when swapping Toolheads.  (The allen wrenches are now back in their place in front of the switch.)



The flat LED lights and converter are not that common because the light only has LEDs on the flat surface and the converter drops the voltage down to 12 volts, but I found both on the web from China.  Two bulbs (one and a spare) and a 110 volt to 12 volt converter cost me $6.21 delivered.  The switch, wire, and wood were laying around my workshop so with a bit of fitting (make sure that you leave enough slack in the wire to the light so you can pull it out of your toolhead to swap them), I set it up on my press and it works perfectly.



Note: some of the new Toolheads have a different size center hole.  My new one on the left  has a slightly larger hole that will allow the 20ga shotgun hull to drop right through without the added washer I hot glued on.  The older Toolhead on the right with the ring around the hole fits the hull perfectly. 



You can see this and many other cheap or free tips and tricks I've collected over the years for both your Dillon 550B and XL650 presses by checking out the permanent link I first posted back in 2011 and have kept it updated over the years, HERE. 

Good write up and nice work, OP.

I'm so electrically illiterate I'd probably burn my house down trying something as simple as this.

Thanks and don't sell yourself short.  LEDs are simple Low voltage, low current devices. Plug in the 12v wall wart and connect to the LED, + to +, - to -.  If it doesn't light, just reverse the leads and let there be light.

I've had a bit of interest in my "Turtle Head 550 lights" from some reloading buddies,  and made a few for them to try out and the reviews have been very good.

Made up a few more and posted them up on eBay to see what happens.

Thanks Dano for the heads up on the ring lights.

I went with a 70mm angel eye for a new mill light







And have had some luck selling the 550 turtle head



and Ultimate 22 LED for the 650 on EE and eBay.

my old school method

I bought two of the ones for my two Dillon 550's.  One I have set up for pistol and the second for rifle calibers.  I finally got to play with both presses this weekend with the lights installed.  I loaded 500 each of 45 acp and 223 on the two presses.

For my old eyes they are worth it!!!!!   Was able to see the powder levels in the 45 acp easily and on both it made it much easier to place the bullets in the cases.  For any of you that have neuropathy in your hands you know what a pain the little 223 bullets are to place period.   For the 45 acp I was loading 200 grain lead swc's with VERY little case belling.  Seated the bullets with no case shaving of the bullets.

Glock9, Thank you for making something that was really needed!

Now if you can just make something similar for my RCBS 4 x 4 press!  LOL

I use to use that method myself, however, it doesn't illuminate inside the case well at all.  In fact, a .223/5.56 case is dark so you can't tell what level the powder is.  That's why I went to the overhead approach as it's the only way you'll get light down in a small case mouth like the .223/5.56, 30 Carbine, 357mag, etc.

This is kind of what I have except I keep hitting the light(when it's adjusted so I can seen the level in a 223 case)with the LNL handle.

I was thinking about taping a maglite up there but I couldn't find one and my tlr would get too hot!

The 650 has a powder checker die, no need to check visually unless it beeps or just check the height of the powder checker rod

I have the powder checker dies set up for most of my calibers, however, after using them for a while with my 5.56 loads and constantly getting false buzzing, I went back to old reliable, my Mark II eyeballs.  I like to see for myself what's gong on.  (Keeps my head in the game too.)

My 550 does not have a station for the powder checking die and as I load 223 on my 550 I like to use my Mark4 eyeball.   Is Mark 4 due to advanced age.  LOL

I bought one of these from the Glock9 on Sunday and it was in my hands on Tuesday evening. Great quality, great communication, and it makes it a lot easier to see what I'm doing while I'm in my dimly lit garage trying to load 9mm. I'll probably end up getting some for my dad as well.

Bought one of Gary's 550 lights, what a difference!  I reloaded for years with heavy shadowing, dark shellplate area on my press.  The LED he uses is PLENTY of light.  The set up seems well thought out, we'll see how long it lasts.  For the money, it was a no brainer for me to try it.  Thanks Gary

Just got a new use for the Dillon 650 light.  It fits nicely in my old RCBS progressive 4x4.  I only use it to load 7.62/.308 so the hole next to the powder station was open.  Gives good light to all 4 stations and especially so in the primer station.

I really appreciate the maker for working with me to solve my light problem on my RCBS press!!!!!!!

Those are pretty nice. I just bought one from you on eBay last week.

Thanks everyone for your comments and support.

I had been selling on EE but because this old man makes a few in his garage,  I'm a "Manufacturer" and can't sell on EE without a $600 dealer agreement

If you're interested in following my lights, search eBay for Dillon lights and look for "trader4stuff"

Got to finally use my RCBS progressive with the new light.  The new light helped GREATLY!!!!!  I think it helped to speed up my reloading time as it allowed me to check things with a glance instead of having and check by stopping and having look.

Thank you Glock9.

I received my light and it works great. Good work. It's surprisingly bright

IM sent.