Favorite work light?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,148
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From: Richmond, VA
Favorite work light?
I have tried magnetic mount incandescent, halogen, and florescent all with varying degrees of success. My current light - a florescent has the annoying habit of rolling or twisting such the light shines in my eyes instead of on the work.
What's your favorite work light? What works well for you?
AFP
What's your favorite work light? What works well for you?
AFP
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Vancouver Island
LED headlamp, sold by Dorcy. Cheap, puts the light where I need it, no cord to get in the way, no risk of electrocution or fire, and runs for many hours on a set of AAAs.
Around the same time I got the headlamp I also picked up a fluorescent trouble light; it was a big improvement over the hot and breakable incandescent trouble light, but since I didn't have power out to the work site without running 200' extension cords, the headlamp got a lot more use. I believe there's LED trouble lights available now; they should be even more rugged and run cooler than the fluorescent lights.
Around the same time I got the headlamp I also picked up a fluorescent trouble light; it was a big improvement over the hot and breakable incandescent trouble light, but since I didn't have power out to the work site without running 200' extension cords, the headlamp got a lot more use. I believe there's LED trouble lights available now; they should be even more rugged and run cooler than the fluorescent lights.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
They have LED drop lights, but they're not cheap, and I haven't seen on that runs on batteries yet. They do make flourescnet drop lights that run on 12v car batteries, though. I use a flourescent drop light in my garage, but I usually zip-tie it to something so it doesn't roll around.
An alternative would be a regular drop light with one of those new energy saver bulbs in it. The new ones throw a lot of light and start pretty quick.
An alternative would be a regular drop light with one of those new energy saver bulbs in it. The new ones throw a lot of light and start pretty quick.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,148
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From: Richmond, VA
I once saw a light called a "dock light". It mounted to the wall on a hinged arm. Sort of like those lights in dentist offices that pulls down and shine on you.
I should have ordered it then. I liked the idea. The light floats above the work never touching the vehicle.
I think as the name implies it was (is) used on docks and such folding flat against the wall when not in use to stay out of the way of trucks and fork lifts.
Anyone hear of one? I probably could make it but who has the time.
AFP
I should have ordered it then. I liked the idea. The light floats above the work never touching the vehicle.
I think as the name implies it was (is) used on docks and such folding flat against the wall when not in use to stay out of the way of trucks and fork lifts.
Anyone hear of one? I probably could make it but who has the time.
AFP
Last edited by afinepoint; Aug 22, 2005 at 08:06 PM.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
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From: Richmond, VA
I like the cooler operation of florescents but not the glare and harsh shadows. Halogen throws lots of light but touch it and you'll remember it for days. 
Last edited by afinepoint; Aug 22, 2005 at 08:34 PM.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
I am too blind these days for most flourescent lights... I use a halogen strategically placed, so I don't have to battle with trying to see in. It's almost like being out in the sunlight. But yes, you have to pay attention to the heat of them, but in the winter they can doulble as a hand warmer... They tend to be bda news when I am working under the dash... I think I have enough tolerance to hot objects that I don't notice the burn for much more than a few minutes, enough years of being a welder will do that to you...
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Just a FYI...
Since I wear glasses I have found that an anti-reflective coating on the INSIDE of the lens works wonders for being able to see into dark places and past a worklight etc. I actually had trouble with a reflection from my face and eye that made it hard to see into dark areas. It was worse out in daylight than in the garage. It was hard to see from a bright area into a dark area. The AR coatings were usually put on the outside of glasses so it did not look as much like you were wearing glasses. I personally don't care about that, -but I do like to see...
Since I wear glasses I have found that an anti-reflective coating on the INSIDE of the lens works wonders for being able to see into dark places and past a worklight etc. I actually had trouble with a reflection from my face and eye that made it hard to see into dark areas. It was worse out in daylight than in the garage. It was hard to see from a bright area into a dark area. The AR coatings were usually put on the outside of glasses so it did not look as much like you were wearing glasses. I personally don't care about that, -but I do like to see...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Lynchburg Virginia.
Always said that if I ever had to jump out of an airplane there were two things I would take with me, a drop light and an air hose. One or both would get tangled on somthing and stop my fall long before I ever hit the ground!
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Originally Posted by afinepoint
Anyone hear of one? I probably could make it but who has the time.
Northern Tool sells this one, for example:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ssearch=160985
(item # 160895 if the link doesn't work)
Other versions are available from Grainger and McMaster.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
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From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by Ian F
Northern Tool sells this one, for example:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ssearch=160985
(item # 160895 if the link doesn't work)
Other versions are available from Grainger and McMaster.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ssearch=160985
(item # 160895 if the link doesn't work)
Other versions are available from Grainger and McMaster.
We found 0 matches for “160895”
Sorry but the item # didn't work either.
AFP
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: SW Arizona
In the shop, my husbands uses florescents long overhead fixtures. For closeup work like engraving a blade or hilt, he has a moveable docklight style lamp next to his big vise. For working on vehicles, it's the old droplight and a halogen on a tripod. To look for anything dropped while working over the engine, it's his 9 bulb LED flashlight.
I just use a homemade "docklight" on a homemade small "boom" that can be pushed away when done cutting jewelry. Or after working on a hilt design. It uses regular bulbs and helps to put off some heat in the winter while working. For the kind of closework I do, this is better than the florescent overhead that is also in my own shop.
Basically it boils down to whatever you feel comfortable with. LEDs are nice but sometimes an oldfashion flashlight works better.
I just use a homemade "docklight" on a homemade small "boom" that can be pushed away when done cutting jewelry. Or after working on a hilt design. It uses regular bulbs and helps to put off some heat in the winter while working. For the kind of closework I do, this is better than the florescent overhead that is also in my own shop.
Basically it boils down to whatever you feel comfortable with. LEDs are nice but sometimes an oldfashion flashlight works better.
