Looking for the perfect droplight

[Super Mech]

Does anyone know of or have a high quality droplight? I am sick of these pieces of **** that I keep buying that never point the right way or with cages that break all the time. I'm so fed up that cost is no object-I just want something good and that has the longevity of more than a month under commercial use.

 

[Strouty]

MEE TOO! subscribed to see answers from the rest of you guys.

 

[pacsguy]

Looking for one myself!

 

[Neohio]

National Electric is my favourite one. Snap-on sells them rebranded. But you can get them from tooltopia as well.

National 10025
National 10050
Same on a reel

 

[Super Mech]

National Electric is my favourite one. Snap-on sells them rebranded. But you can get them from tooltopia as well.

National 10025
National 10050
Same on a reel

Is that thing bright enough because I'm gettin blind as a *******. Is the hook on top metal or plastic?

 

[KCarGuy]

What helps is a 220 Volt bulb in a 110 Volt trouble light.
Half the brightness, but twice as rugged and twice the life!
Try it.

Pointing the wrong way...I cant help!

 

[Neohio]

Is that thing bright enough because I'm gettin blind as a *******. Is the hook on top metal or plastic?

The hook is plastic.

The snapon version used to come with a magnet on a velcro strap to attach to a car.

I haven't had any problems with it being bright enough. YMMV though

 

[Defender Chassis]

Same on a reel

Woot woot! "Made in USA"

 

[Lotek]

We have droplights hanging in the shop, haven't used one in years, Streamlight Stinger LED, really outshines any droplight...

sorry about the bad pun.

 

[diesel research]

We have droplights hanging in the shop, haven't used one in years, Streamlight Stinger LED, really outshines any droplight...

sorry about the bad pun.

Some of us work with stuff in the dark, big enough to need both hands.

 

[Lotek]

Some of us work with stuff in the dark, big enough to need both hands.

I don't need a light for that...

 

[Joe H]

I've had the maxxeon workstar 1400 for about a month now and so far so good. Best work light I have ever owned.

http://www.maxxeon.com/

 

[HookWorse]

I've had the maxxeon workstar 1400 for about a month now and so far so good. Best work light I have ever owned.

http://www.maxxeon.com/

Thats an interesting light. How about the hook on it? Metal? Plastic?

 

[Fedwrench]

I use a variety of lights. For illuminating an engine compartment, I like this one:
http://www.tooltopia.com/central-tools-central-lighting-13003.aspx
It's simply the best source of light for upper engine or interior work.

The corded National electic lights are great but, I hate cords.
I like the Makita 14.4 volt cordless like for bright, cool under dash light. Mine came with a impact/drill combination set.
http://www.tooltopia.com/makita-ml143.aspx

For flashlights, I can't live without my streamlight polystinger. It's rechargeable, bright, and durable. Buy two so, one is always ready.

Streamlight has a new light out with a positionalbe head called the knucklehead. I haven't used it but, it looks promising.

 

[wellstig1]

You didn't specify if you were looking for a cordless or corded. For corded this on cant be beat for durability.
http://www.etooldirect.com/super-bounce-light-with-light-dispersion-tube-25-cord.html
For cordless i have the older version with this one and will soon be getting it since the older one has been great.
http://www.etooldirect.com/cliplight-114303-hemi-plus-led-cordless-li-ion-light.html

 

[tw33k2514]

Ive been using this one from HF for a couple years now, and it has held up fine. Plenty bright, and cheap.

http://www.harborfreight.com/slim-line-fluorescent-work-light-46114.html

 

[shampoop]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83588

http://www.tooltopia.com/central-tools-central-lighting-121cp.aspx

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've had this one for years and never had any problems with it:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_03473942000P?keyword=light+reel&prdNo=1

 

[jay50]

I've had this one for years and never had any problems with it:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_03473942000P?keyword=light+reel&prdNo=1

I hope you are not using that type of droplight; a good way to burn your shop down.

 

[Moonbeam]

I've been wanting to buy this

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=205

Streamlight Knucklehead.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I hope you are not using that type of droplight; a good way to burn your shop down.

I've been using it for 10+ years now with no issues. Come to think of it, I've always had some variation of that type of light around. I've also got a flourescent and a couple of LED versions around too, but I prefer the incandescent. As long as you use a good shatterproof coated rough service bulb there's not too much to be concerned with.

 

[Jeeper]

I hope you are not using that type of droplight; a good way to burn your shop down.

just put a CF bulb in it and problem solved.

 

[mrholeshot]

I have the national and bought it back when MAC was selling them. 20 years old and the cord is getting stiff and the lens is scratched to the point it's dull but I've only replaced the bulb twice. I need a new one. I like the Stanley Crodless droplight and has been my replcement since my Matco 40 led took a dump. I have the Snap-On cordless but the bean is a bit too focused

 

[c39er]

Here are the ones I use- These are McGill industrial lights. Get your $$ out though! They will not break-unless you drive over them.

 

[wafrederick]

Put in the energy saving bulbs in the drop lights,the metal shields don't get hot.The convential bulbs don't hold up when the drop lights are dropped including being dropped in water and anti freeze

 

[Carztech]

I got this one from a online store about 2 years ago and it is real good. At first i thought itwas weird looking but it works great. I saw one on the Cornwell truck ($100)so the dealer can show it to you.

It is called the technicians worklight

 

[Carztech]

Thats an interesting light. How about the hook on it? Metal? Plastic?

I have had mine for maybe 2 years and the hook looks like some kind of nylon plastic anyway it hasnt broken yet

 

[Super Mech]

Just want to thank everyone for the numerous suggestions. I was in Sears today and looked at what they had. Pickuped a 3483024 drop light. It's an incandesant style lamp but thats what i prefer anyway. Seems to be very well built with a ratcheting steel hook, 25' very flexible cord, outlet, circut breaker, and the best feature in my eyes is a metal cage that wraps completely around the back of the reflector to act as a burn guard. Hope it holds up. It looks beefy.

 

[83diesel]

I always have had the best luck with the central bounce light and the similar one National Electric Makes. I have two on 40 foot reels and one 50 foot regular drop cord. The hard plastic housing lights don't last after a couple of drops off a truck. The bounce style lights seem to be more fluid proof also. Working on trucks and heavy equipment a drop light is needed due to dark areas shop lights don't get to and like someone had mentioned you need both hands to lift some of the heavy components.

Guys at our shop did not have much luck with the led drop lights. They tend to burn part of the circuit board out after a while and depending on the brand some of them are not as bright as the flourescent.

For smaller repairs and automotive repairs I tend to use a streamlight or my makita battery powered flourescent light. Both have rechargeable batteries, don't have to worry about tripping over the cord or getting the greasy cord all over the interior or paint job.

 

[shampoop]

I've been wanting to buy this

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=205

Streamlight Knucklehead.

Holy **** that looks cool!!! I want one now! Especially because it's made by streamlight, you know it's gonna be as tough as it gets!

 

[nissan_crawler]

I bought and sold 6 trouble lights before getting this one...problem solved.

http://www.ezred.com/Product_Pages/EZXL3000.htm

 

[str8axle55]

I bought and sold 6 trouble lights before getting this one...problem solved.

http://www.ezred.com/Product_Pages/EZXL3000.htm

I have that one also, I am happy w/it. I`ve had it for 2 yrs now, replaced lens once, the housing is getting kind of beat now. Some guys at my work haven`t had very good luck with them, pretty much destoyed them in a matter of months. Most of the tool guys have this light rebranded for under $100.

 

[Joe H]

Thats an interesting light. How about the hook on it? Metal? Plastic?

ABS plastic. Seems pretty durable though. I do find myself using the magnets to hang the light more than the hook though.

 

[greasemonkey44]

ive got this one for 25, the led was 50$ and i was broke
ive got an impact driver and drill too so i was happy, til i broke the bulb
replaced it with a 14.4 craftsman bulb much brighter
we have florescent drop lights but mostly use them as extension cords. i went through a few incandescent ones with florescent bulbs kept breaking the bulbs went to rough services for those.
the uhaul down the street burned up a truck with a cheap incandescent droplight. They left it on over night laying on the bench seat
also the boss bought a streamlight knucklehead, fantastic light esp for 100$; pretty jealous

 

[idubvdub]

I'm happy with my bounce light. ballast in the line http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bounce+light&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=11961035572902679492&sa=X&ei=2neeTdzuIYHQgAfPh4XnDw&ved=0CCkQ8wIwAA#

 

[boogerboy72]

http://www.etooldirect.com/lights/bounce-light-25-cord.html

best light i have ever owned. When i start equipping my garage in the house, ill use this. its pretty damn near bulletproof.

 

[hammlm]

A little late to this party, but x2 on McGill. I have a couple of the incandescents that C39er posted, but use the McGill flourescents 95% of the time.

http://www.mcgillelectrical.com/CatalogProducts.asp?nProductsID=207

Durable is understatement

 

[FredB]

Just want to thank everyone for the numerous suggestions. I was in Sears today and looked at what they had. Pickuped a 3483024 drop light. It's an incandesant style lamp but thats what i prefer anyway. Seems to be very well built with a ratcheting steel hook, 25' very flexible cord, outlet, circut breaker, and the best feature in my eyes is a metal cage that wraps completely around the back of the reflector to act as a burn guard. Hope it holds up. It looks beefy.

+1 on this Sears drop light, wonder how long till it gets cheapened

 

[Frank The Plumber]

I bought a CFL droplight from Grainger. I used to bust bulbs daily, this one is 2 years old and still ticking, original bulb. Use it almost every day.

 

[tooth]

I use a snap-on ecu4000. 2 Twin 13w bulbs (26w total), really good hook, and heavy duty service bulbs so they don't break right away. Best light I've ever used.