Best worklight for working under dash

[signcrafter]

Looking for a new worklight for working under the dash. My worklights are all about 15 years old and are kind of bulky for working under the dash. Any recomendations on a bright compact worklight?

 

[SVIPD]

Looking for a new worklight for working under the dash. My worklights are all about 15 years old and are kind of bulky for working under the dash. Any recomendations on a bright compact worklight?

I have this one that I got for Christmas a few years ago and I had to have Sears replace it once and they did with no problems. I love it and gives plenty of light no matter where Im at. Its like $30.00 at Sears
I love that I can set the LED light down anywhere like carpet without having to worry about burning anything like you did with the old school trouble lights.

 

[Jhoff310]

one of those led headlamps. They are inexpensive and great...the only downfall is if you look away so does your light..

Jeff

 

[signcrafter]

What about something like this for under the dash?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003377UIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a flourescent that is a decent light but when working under the dash the cord and the size of the flourescent get in the way of me also laying on the floor.

 

[alohavw]

This the the one I have.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00381AGQ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Works great and the magnetic feet has been a huge help.

 

[ndoran]

I have a couple of LED ones that have a magnet and a hook built in them, run off disposable batteries and give wonderful light output they are now easily available and provided you do not need a "brand name" attached can be purchased for $10. they fit into small spaces which is always useful. I will post a picture later.

I bought one of mine in Zellers in the U.S. Target would be similar but you can probably buy them at WalMart

 

[Outlawmws]

Something like this if you ahve something steel to slap it on:

:

Something like this for a small pocket flashlight (Less intense):

I just picked up an old "drop light"at a yard sale that uses a 12 V backup light and has the cage and a folding hook. very small, but uses a cord and a lighter plug. Not sure if an auto parts store would still sell something like that, but I can put in smaller bulbs that use the same base for when the BU lamp is too much light.

There used to be an LED light with a magnetic base than had a small globe with lights pointing in many directions also... Haven't seen one in a while though...

 

[Jack Olsen]

I was thinking about this because I'm replacing a turn signal switch later today.

A good headlamp is the way to go, in my opinion. Outside of that, on this type of job I find myself reaching for the LED flashlight with the most diffused light -- hard shadows and bright spots get frustrating. I've got one that's a little like a camping lantern.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here is one for miulti directins:

And one for when you don't have a place to stick a mag mount:

 

[FiendFX]

Check out ebay. Bunch of nice ones and cheap.

 

[bimmerZ5]

I love this flashlight for many purposes.. you can hang it on a hook, or sit it down and point the light in all sorts of directions with a very long neck. absolutely the best design i've ever seen. i now own two of them. on a full charge, the LED bulb has lasted me over 18hrs (found out during the major blackout last year in Socal)

 

[TheCarbideRat]

hey bimmer can u post a link to that flashlight?

 

[bimmerZ5]

hey bimmer can u post a link to that flashlight?

yeah, sure:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000222ZP/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The model is DC919 from Dewalt. I got it from a local guy brand new for $15. The LED bulb is from China, found on ebay; about $30. For total of $45 it's an incredible flashlight.

BTW, it takes both NiCd and Li-Ion XRP batteries... but I find it works better with the NiCd because the heavier battery weighs it down better so you can twist the neck out more without it tipping over.

 

[twistedchief]

yah under the dash work can **** with out a good light. I worked for a speedo and tech place and trying to hold a light in hand and tools and do the work is a pain and this was back in the day when there was only a big *** hot drop light or a mag light so i had like 5 or so mag light going on. But now you can have it all i now use this.

http://www.striker1.com/tasklights.html

they have all kinds of good stuff there i got most of the line and they work great

 

[signcrafter]

Hmmm, I have a dewalt flashlight but never thought to use it. That might work pretty nice. My thought was getting a smaller LED and sticking it up under the dash somewhere so it would light everything up and be out of the way.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I really like those cheap little $3 LED lights that HF sells. good light output and...Cheap

 

[balane]

I work under the dash the same way Batman does his job.

 

[Futremechanic]

I have one these ------>
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_766245_langId_-1_categoryId_165497
I would lost if I did not having working in awrdard spots its in use nearly every day

 

[Danglerb]

I have a couple headlights, some HF $3 LED oval things with a hook and magnet, a couple 7w CFL and a 18w Bayco CFL (two double tubes where the others have one slightly smaller double tube). I use some combination of those and a couple different flashlights.

The $8 3x AAA LED headlight is great, but ... can slide off head, a little pesky to replace the batteries, and my head gets tired of having something on it. Still best thing I've found for working in a dark tight spot.

LED flashlight on a tiny tripod or tripod like thing really handy when you need a lot of light on something.

If your old like me, have a pair of safety glasses made with a Rx that gives you a good focus at slightly less than arms length instead of a regular distance Rx.

 

[Lotek]

I usually just use my led Stinger, if I need to, I have one of those led headlamps, the only problem I have with hanging lights under the dash is that I forget to remove them.

 

[WVBrady]

yeah, sure:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000222ZP/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The model is DC919 from Dewalt. I got it from a local guy brand new for $15. The LED bulb is from China, found on ebay; about $30. For total of $45 it's an incredible flashlight.

BTW, it takes both NiCd and Li-Ion XRP batteries... but I find it works better with the NiCd because the heavier battery weighs it down better so you can twist the neck out more without it tipping over.

Would any of these bulbs work?

BTW, on mine the flexible hose is too flexible. It won't support the weight of the head when extended. I am thinking of wrapping it in some sort of rubber tape for more support.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Would any of these bulbs work?

BTW, on mine the flexible hose is too flexible. It won't support the weight of the head when extended. I am thinking of wrapping it in some sort of rubber tape for more support.

not sure what you are referring to as "these" ?

my flexible hose is pretty stiff... maybe yours got worn down? or has it been that way always? it's that flexible hose that makes it so awesome... if that didn't hold, then yeah that would ****...

 

[signcrafter]

I usually just use my led Stinger, if I need to, I have one of those led headlamps, the only problem I have with hanging lights under the dash is that I forget to remove them.

That stinger sure is a nice looking light! Another item for my if I ever win the lottery list.

 

[joedodge]

The stinger is a great light I have the xenon bulb one and led light. you cant beat them there veryaffordable on the tooltopia web site and in a prfesional setting I havent destroyed them in 6 years. Iver rplaced bulbs and batterys but thats it.

 

[bcradio]

yeah, sure:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000222ZP/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The model is DC919 from Dewalt. I got it from a local guy brand new for $15. The LED bulb is from China, found on ebay; about $30. For total of $45 it's an incredible flashlight.

BTW, it takes both NiCd and Li-Ion XRP batteries... but I find it works better with the NiCd because the heavier battery weighs it down better so you can twist the neck out more without it tipping over.

Did you do the LED bulb mod on this? Doesn't seem too bad. Did you run into any issues doing the mod if you did do it?

 

[signcrafter]

The stinger is a great light I have the xenon bulb one and led light. you cant beat them there veryaffordable on the tooltopia web site and in a prfesional setting I havent destroyed them in 6 years. Iver rplaced bulbs and batterys but thats it.

You got me all excited with saying "very affordable on tooltopia" but the cheapest one on there is 72 bucks! Maybe someday.

I think I'm going to pick up one of the little LED lights to stick up by the firewall while working and if that doesn't work good I will use my dewalt 18volt. Might have to look into the led conversion for that.

 

[rshadd]

I have both the 24 & 48 bulb work lights from Ullman. They work great.
http://www.ullman-devices.com/Lights.html

 

[jvitez]

See my thread. I use it all the time now.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167171

 

[joedodge]

my bad i was refering to what they go for at cop shops or on the tool truck. i also have a magnetic one with a hook from harbor freight it was $2.99 i leave it in my cart it works great lol and no harm no fowl if i run over it or leave it in a car

 

[zakmartin]

I'm not a big fan of LED lights when working under the dash since they can change wire colors as your brain perceives it (especially when you're dealing with very thin wires with very thin stripes). I prefer to go with either a halogen flashlight or a good florescent light that is set up to emit a daylight color spectrum (less green than a standard florescent bulb). Also, I find that with LED lights, I get less contrast and they tend to strain my eyes after a while and I end up with a pounding headache.

 

[BBC71Nova]

Something like this if you ahve something steel to slap it on:

:

These thins are super handy. I got the blue point version for Christmas last year. Use it a lot more than I thought I would. I later found these Ullman versions on Amazon and they are identical for less money. There is another model too with more LEDs.

 

[abumason]

I use the LED light that came in my craftsman nextec kit. I thought it was a little gimmicky at first, but now can't imagine not having it.

Also have a Petzl Tikka headlamp. That thing rocks and the elastic is still good after 8 years of had use.

 

[WVBrady]

not sure what you are referring to as "these" ?

my flexible hose is pretty stiff... maybe yours got worn down? or has it been that way always? it's that flexible hose that makes it so awesome... if that didn't hold, then yeah that would ****...

I seem to have left out the link.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_7jpfj68d9j_b

The hose was always like that. That was one of the criticisms that I read AFTER I purchased mine. Maybe they changed the design.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

My favorite light besides my Rigid LED one is my light mine.
http://www.striker1.com/LightMineProfessional.html

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Streamlight knucklehead. Best damn work light ever invented.

 

[ndoran]

I use these all the time, The red one also has 6 LEDs in the end so you can use it like a flashlight. I paid $9 each for them. they both have a hook and a magnet on the back and fit in small spaces

 

[signcrafter]

I use these all the time, The red one also has 6 LEDs in the end so you can use it like a flashlight. I paid $9 each for them. they both have a hook and a magnet on the back and fit in small spaces

Where did you get them from?

 

[ndoran]

I got them from Zellers and Wal Mart. in the US you might want to check out Target

 

[cglasgow]

For working under the dash specifically, I like these:

I got one at Target or some place for not a lot of money. It's great because it won't blind you, it stays cool, and you can thread in and out and around, wherever you want it.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

one more vote for a headlamp. just about every aircraft mechanic has one. so it doesent look dorky in a hangar. not sure about a garage. but man they sure are nice. only bad side is when you gota squeeze your head into a tiny little space and the headlamp doesn't fit. i generally hand myself up a pocket flashlight and turn it on and point it towards the work area. seems to work ok for me.