What do you use for a drop or work light?

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RustyRatRod

RustyRatRod

I was born on a Monday. Not last Monday.
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I have tried everything under the sun. They all suck. Magnetic lights that fall off. Cordless lights that are either not bright enough or never last long enough. Lights that are too big. Old style lights that burn the hell out of you. So what do you use? I have been workin on this Valiant under the hood and I have one that works "ok". It's an LED from O'Reilly with a magnetic base.......and you guessed it. It ain't strong enough. It will stick under the hood, but don't breathe on it. It's pretty bright, but it's JUST big enough to be a pain in the BUTT in tight spaces. What do yall use and are yall ready for somebody to come up with somethin genius? I sure as HELL am.

This is the one I have.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...k-light/sl1514/6035471?q=Work+Lighting&pos=64

It's bright. I like it ok, but there's a LOT of room for improvement.
 
318willrun said:
If it's dark or dim, I like a regular drop cord light. The kind that has the metal wires in front of the bulb. can be easily moved or hung to provide light right where i want it. Also provides an outlet if i want to plug something in. Something like this
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chicago-Electric-Power-Tools-Drop-Light-25-ft-16-gauge-with-3-Wire-Cord-3489/396650771?
Click to expand...

Yeah, those WORK, but they are dangerous. Can cause fires an plus they get HOT and will burn the PISS outta you. But, they do work.
 
this is what i have been using latley. 2100 lumens from costco. 29 bucks it hang from the hood latch pretty nice

Costco Wholesale
7kKM8dNY_M.jpg
 
I was just bitchin about this the other day! I have the same problem. Either too big or too hot or not bright enough. I have gotten to the point that my go to is a head lamp. Not perfect, but it usually puts the light where you want it without having to move the light every two seconds.
 
Check out Amazon and search spring loaded LED light bar. You can clamp it under your hood or across the roof of the interior.
 
I use this. It's a fluorescent, with a 25 ft. cord, on a reel. It has a hook to hang it -- doesn't get hot -- plenty bright. I've had it for years. I think that I bought it from Sears. -------
Garage Light.JPG
 
We saw this at the local garage that does work on our DD's for us...

It hangs off the hood with rubber insulated claws that won't scratch the paint and it's not in the way...

DSC09680 B.JPG




DSC09682 B.JPG


DSC09684 B.JPG
 
RustyRatRod said:
I have tried everything under the sun. They all suck. Magnetic lights that fall off. Cordless lights that are either not bright enough or never last long enough. Lights that are too big. Old style lights that burn the hell out of you. So what do you use? I have been workin on this Valiant under the hood and I have one that works "ok". It's an LED from O'Reilly with a magnetic base.......and you guessed it. It ain't strong enough. It will stick under the hood, but don't breathe on it. It's pretty bright, but it's JUST big enough to be a pain in the BUTT in tight spaces. What do yall use and are yall ready for somebody to come up with somethin genius? I sure as HELL am.

This is the one I have.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...k-light/sl1514/6035471?q=Work+Lighting&pos=64

It's bright. I like it ok, but there's a LOT of room for improvement.
Click to expand...

I stumbled on an led rectangular, (about 4x8"?) droplight at lowes, they had two of them, don`t remember the price, was a bit higher than regular ''burn ur arm and break'' good ones. I watched the two for a while, and noticed one had been sold, I bought the other. Its the brightest / best dam drop light I`ve ever used, big "plexiglass?" type lens w/ a normal hook.
Wish now I had bought both of them instead of procrastinating !! I have been watching to see if they ever stock any more , but haven`t seen one since. Oh , it`s got a lifetime warranty on it too, but guess it would be a money back deal since they haven`t had one since. I did keep the package it came in .
Would pay to look tho to see if they come up wih them in your area. I still look every time I go into lowes, which is quite often.
 
I have a few lights.
A 4 foot led fixture that fits inside the rails of my hoist. Corded.
A small rechargeable light that has a shitty magnet, and had to epoxy it back together a couple times. I lost a 120 dollar snap on left under the hood of a truck.

I have a truck mounted work light that i can aim where ever i want,just prop it up and aim it.

I keep looking at the hood mounted light,but cant stomach the price. May bite the bullet.
 
318willrun said:
If it's dark or dim, I like a regular drop cord light. The kind that has the metal wires in front of the bulb. can be easily moved or hung to provide light right where i want it. Also provides an outlet if i want to plug something in. Something like this
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chicago-Electric-Power-Tools-Drop-Light-25-ft-16-gauge-with-3-Wire-Cord-3489/396650771?
Click to expand...
I should show a pic of mine. At least 50 yrs old. A guy I worked with at the Ford store asked me if it was Fred Flintstone that gave it to me.
100 watt rough service bulb. I'm sure it could melt to ruin vinyl or carpet. Two wires. No GFI could electrocute too.
Been through more flashlights than I can recall. That and/or this drop light is all I ever had.
No one light source will be perfect for every situation although TV commercials suggest, "Our latest greatest is". So like any other tool, have more than one to choose from.
 
I have a couple magnetic, but my favorite is an LED that installs into a standard trouble light. I found and attached a picture. Basically it replaces the guard on a standard trouble light and gets clamped in place so it doesn't come loose. Works like a standard trouble light with no heat of a normal trouble light. I've been using mine for a couple years now. Need to order a couple more.

Trouble Light.jpg
 
Frnknsteen said:
I have a couple magnetic, but my favorite is an LED that installs into a standard trouble light. I found and attached a picture. Basically it replaces the guard on a standard trouble light and gets clamped in place so it doesn't come loose. Works like a standard trouble light with no heat of a normal trouble light. I've been using mine for a couple years now. Need to order a couple more.

View attachment 1715278955
Click to expand...
Save me some searching? Where do I find this?
 
I have a couple of the standard old drop lights with the cage over the bulb. ditched the always broken, burning me cheapo bulb for an LED no heat, no burn hasn't broken yet.
but will be watching for a better mouse trap.
 
And the older you get the more you need a good light. :poke::poke: I have 3 or 4 different ones. I have a under hood florescent like Karl has but it doesn't work everywhere. I have a couple rechargeable led's for general use. Hell with my bi-focals I do most everything by feel anyway. :lol::bs_flag:
 
Ever since I switched to a head band light I'll never go back to a trouble light. I searched long and hard for a super bright adjustable head light and asked for one for Christmas (2 years ago). I got the one with a super bright light and hours and hours of battery time. It's worked really great especially in tight places like under the hood or under the chassis. But where it really shines (no pun intended) is under the dash. Us older guys need more light than the younger crew so these new high intensity head lights can't be beat!! It leaves both hands free, never falls off, shines whereever you turn your head and you don't have to worry about moving it every time you change positions. Pics after the sun comes up.......Treblig
 
Treblig said:
Ever since I switched to a head band light I'll never go back to a trouble light. I searched long and hard for a super bright adjustable head light and asked for one for Christmas (2 years ago). I got the one with a super bright light and hours and hours of battery time. It's worked really great especially in tight places like under the hood or under the chassis. But where it really shines (no pun intended) is under the dash. Us older guys need more light than the younger crew so these new high intensity head lights can't be beat!! Pics after the sun comes up.......Treblig
Click to expand...
I sold a lot of them when I was on the truck. Never saved one back though.
 
toolmanmike said:
I sold a lot of them when I was on the truck. Never saved one back though.
Click to expand...
The brand I bought is really great.....it started giving me trouble staying "on" after about 1 year, I called the company and they sent me another brand new one on their dime....gotta love it!!!
 
I use two led fixtures. One is a drop light with multiple leds and the other is a rechargeable Cat brand portable from Costco. I use both of them to illuminate the work area from two opposite directions. They do a good job of eliminating shadows and providing enough brightness for my bifocals. I like Treblig”s idea of a headset. I have one but haven’t used it yet.
 
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This is the rechargeable one. No magnetic base but I usually can find a spot to hang it or a place to lean it. It usually can give about 3 hours on the lower setting and 2 on the higher. After two hours I usually need a break anyways.
 
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