Work Light Recommendations
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
Work Light Recommendations
What are people using for work lights, trouble lights, drop lights, whatever you want to call them? Your handheld light for working under the car, etc.
I know the cage-type incandescent lights are useless, blowing the bulb every time you barely bump it. Although I have been toying with the idea of a light of that style an putting a 26 watt fluorescent bulb in it instead of a 75-100 watt incandescent.
I've used the dual bulb fluorescent lamps. They also don't seem to last very long. The circuitry goes bad and they stop working, or the outer clear lens gets hot and warps/melts. I know, fluorescents are supposed to run cool, but these didn't. And it wasn't from working around a running, hot engine.
I have a light with 60 LEDs in it. It's plenty bright enough, but the beam is very narrow, so you have to have it pointed exactly at where you're working. And we all know how good work lights are at staying where we point them.
Anyway, I'm sure you all have great recommendations.
I know the cage-type incandescent lights are useless, blowing the bulb every time you barely bump it. Although I have been toying with the idea of a light of that style an putting a 26 watt fluorescent bulb in it instead of a 75-100 watt incandescent.
I've used the dual bulb fluorescent lamps. They also don't seem to last very long. The circuitry goes bad and they stop working, or the outer clear lens gets hot and warps/melts. I know, fluorescents are supposed to run cool, but these didn't. And it wasn't from working around a running, hot engine.
I have a light with 60 LEDs in it. It's plenty bright enough, but the beam is very narrow, so you have to have it pointed exactly at where you're working. And we all know how good work lights are at staying where we point them.
Anyway, I'm sure you all have great recommendations.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,015
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
If you use a proper bulb in your incandescent worklight, it won't be blowing the bulb at the slightest bump. You need a heavy duty bulb with a supported filament made especially for the worklight. I've dropped mine and had it hit the floor at times when I thought surely it would blow the bulb, but it'd still be burning. The proper bulb should be available at your local FLAPS.
That said, there are a lot of lights available these days that don't have the problem of burning you should you happen to contact the cage surrounding the bulb as seems to be the case with my existing old-style trouble light. But, I haven't looked into them enough to know which I'd recommend. My thoughts are similar to yours, however, on many of the lights showing up now. Rechargable don't seem to last me too long for the price, I don't like the light coverage area of many I've seen, etc., etc.
I use one so seldom that I've just gotten by with the two I presently own for now, maybe I'll upgrade at some future point in time . . . . .
That said, there are a lot of lights available these days that don't have the problem of burning you should you happen to contact the cage surrounding the bulb as seems to be the case with my existing old-style trouble light. But, I haven't looked into them enough to know which I'd recommend. My thoughts are similar to yours, however, on many of the lights showing up now. Rechargable don't seem to last me too long for the price, I don't like the light coverage area of many I've seen, etc., etc.
I use one so seldom that I've just gotten by with the two I presently own for now, maybe I'll upgrade at some future point in time . . . . .
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
I have a dual-tube fluorescent work light on a cord reel mounted on the ceiling over my lift that I've had for ten years (got it from Griot's Garage) - works great, has been dropped many times, no lens melting, etc. Also have a couple of cordless rechargeable LED work lights that come in handy.
I threw out my incandescent work lights many years ago; if you drop one on the engine while you're working on the fuel system and the bulb breaks, you've got a fire to deal with.
I threw out my incandescent work lights many years ago; if you drop one on the engine while you're working on the fuel system and the bulb breaks, you've got a fire to deal with.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 499
Likes: 4
From: Loxahatchee FL
I can tell you what I don't like. The Craftsman dual tube flourescent with the plastic hook on top and the clip-on magnet. The plastic hook breaks and the light always comes out of the magnet clip. I HATE them and I have two.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
I can tell you what I don't like. The Craftsman dual tube flourescent with the plastic hook on top and the clip-on magnet. The plastic hook breaks and the light always comes out of the magnet clip. I HATE them and I have two.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
i also have a craftsman flourescent cord reel light about 10 years old
my favorite is the sharper image head light on an elastic head band the wifey got me for christmas 3 years ago...jmo....
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,105
Likes: 9,418
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
I can tell you what I don't like. The Craftsman dual tube flourescent with the plastic hook on top and the clip-on magnet. The plastic hook breaks and the light always comes out of the magnet clip. I HATE them and I have two.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 619
Likes: 21
From: League City Tx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Thats what I do. The CFL is cooler with more lumens and very shock resistant. I have one of the units pictured above too, but the CFL is smaller and easier to put where I need it.
Last edited by magicv8; Dec 9, 2010 at 05:01 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
I used to have two Black&Decker Snake lights, the ones with an AC power cord, that I used for work lights. They both burned out several years ago and now I have the battery powered ones. The two advantages of this type is that there is no cord to worry about and you can take it anywhere. I also have two pedestal style 500w halogen work lamps if I need a lot of light and they also come in handy for curing fresh fiberglass.
Charles
Charles
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
I hated the cage type holder for an incandescent bulb - they either fail when bumped/dropped and burn you when you get too near them.
Substituting a curly florescent bulb works great - they use less electricity making them MUCH cooler, and don't fail when dropped as long as the cage is secure.
Also, it's a PITA when trying to use the hook - invariably, the bulb turns and shines into your eyes instead. I modded mine by moving the hook to the upper back of the shield which makes gravity keep the light pointing ahead!
Substituting a curly florescent bulb works great - they use less electricity making them MUCH cooler, and don't fail when dropped as long as the cage is secure.
Also, it's a PITA when trying to use the hook - invariably, the bulb turns and shines into your eyes instead. I modded mine by moving the hook to the upper back of the shield which makes gravity keep the light pointing ahead!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I have one of these Cordless Utility Lights, with 30 LEDs that I probably use more than anything else...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
I see many less expensive versions that run the gamut of prices, but they are handy and the concept is good regardless.
I also have one of these that I use regularly when the cordless just won't do the job...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
Good luck... GUSTO
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
I see many less expensive versions that run the gamut of prices, but they are handy and the concept is good regardless.
I also have one of these that I use regularly when the cordless just won't do the job...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
Good luck... GUSTO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne victoria
I have one of these Cordless Utility Lights, with 30 LEDs that I probably use more than anything else...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
I see many less expensive versions that run the gamut of prices, but they are handy and the concept is good regardless.
I also have one of these that I use regularly when the cordless just won't do the job...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
Good luck... GUSTO
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
I see many less expensive versions that run the gamut of prices, but they are handy and the concept is good regardless.
I also have one of these that I use regularly when the cordless just won't do the job...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
Good luck... GUSTO
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 387
Likes: 2
From: Grafton Wisconsin
Same Problem with Craftsman
I can tell you what I don't like. The Craftsman dual tube flourescent with the plastic hook on top and the clip-on magnet. The plastic hook breaks and the light always comes out of the magnet clip. I HATE them and I have two.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
I will be watching this thread to see what everyone else recomends.
Rick L.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma Washingon
I use a 1 watt LED headlamp along with what ever light i have available.
It seems whatever light I have available only lights up what I'm not looking at, or shines right in my eyes or the cord gets in the way of my creeper.
The head lamp however is always pointed at what I'm looking at, even when I turn my head.
I have three or four (one in the house, garage, tool bag at work...)
Not saying that should be the only light to use, but certainly one to have at hand.
Jim
It seems whatever light I have available only lights up what I'm not looking at, or shines right in my eyes or the cord gets in the way of my creeper.
The head lamp however is always pointed at what I'm looking at, even when I turn my head.
I have three or four (one in the house, garage, tool bag at work...)
Not saying that should be the only light to use, but certainly one to have at hand.
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
I have a fluorescent light. What I really like about it is the way the switch is located on the handle. I am under my car, needing three hands, differential fluid dropping on my head and I grab the light to get a better view. Because of the switch being where it is, it always turns off!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 72
From: Reno Nv
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 60
From: Buffalo New York
I recently pulled the instrument cluster out of my '66. I used my Craftsman LED light but I could'nt really get the light exactly where I needed it laying on my back under the dash. So I went to my hunting gear and I got my LED headlamp that I wear going to my treestand before daylight. Put the light right where I was looking and working. Hands free!
Dennis
Dennis
Last edited by Dennis Beck; Dec 10, 2010 at 09:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 223
From: Temecula CA
After much research and reading user reviews, I bought this guy.
It is perfect for working on the Corvettes. Wide beam with just the right intensity. Very uniform light dispersion. Good ergonomics, too.
Three thumbs up!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
I recently pulled the instrument cluster out of my '66. I used my Craftsman LED light but I could'nt really get the light exactly where I needed it laying on my back under the dash. So I went to my hunting gear and I got my LED headlamp that I wear going to my treestand before daylight. Put the light right where I was looking and working. Hands free!
Dennis
Dennis
By the way Dennis. You have excellent taste in cars!
