My Custom Work-Light stands...no tripods allowed!

[RMERR]

I find most of the commercial work-light stands are kind of sprawling and awkward, probably fine for constuction or if it's not moved much. Finally decided to just build my own. I wanted something very sturdy, but easy to bring out, adjust and put away. Bought a couple retail garment stands off CL for $35. After removing the outer shell, I was very pleased to find the substructure was exactly what I needed. A weighty cast iron base already tapped for leveler feet, which I swapped out for stem casters. A vertical post of steel tubing, easy welding for an oversize handle and other modding . And the cake-taker were the hanger arms (which I shortened) that telescope another 20 inches for extra height when needed.

Determined to eliminate excess cordage, I rewired all the lights with 'Y' splitters then added a vintage, but NOS "Cordomatic" cord retractor to each stand. Cord rolls up neat and tidy, no loops, coils, or wire bundles. Had to change course a couple times building this ( as usual), but I'm very pleased with how these turned out.

 

[jeepxj]

man that cord retractor idea is flat out genius.

 

[southalabama]

Those are ****

 

[Ohmthis]

I have to agree with the above comments. Awesome set up! I really like the cord retract idea.

 

[bighouse01]

No one is going to post theirs after seeing that.

 

[badguy]

Great idea and well executed!

Can I ask what’s the deal with the giant saw sticking out of the wall and the massive fasteners on the cabinet?

 

[gahrajmahal]

I mounted an extra, adjustable LED can light into a plastic ammo can and thought I’d made something cheap and awesome… but yours wins by a mile!

 

[RMERR]

Great idea and well executed!

Can I ask what’s the deal with the giant saw sticking out of the wall and the massive fasteners on the cabinet?

They were instore decor/display items from an Orchard Supply store (if you remember Orchard) When they went under, a custom car shop bought them, then I bought them from them. I have a penchant for oversize objects and of course couldn't resist. They're professionally made of rigid foam, I think most of the Orchard's had them.

 

[badguy]

They were instore decor/display items from an Orchard Supply store (if you remember Orchard) When they went under, a custom car shop bought them, then I bought them from them. I have a penchant for oversize objects and of course couldn't resist. They're professionally made of rigid foam, I think most of the Orchard's had them.

I has never heard of Orchard’s before but those look pretty neat - the level of detail is impressive.

 

[jeepxj]

They were instore decor/display items from an Orchard Supply store (if you remember Orchard) When they went under, a custom car shop bought them, then I bought them from them. I have a penchant for oversize objects and of course couldn't resist. They're professionally made of rigid foam, I think most of the Orchard's had them.

man you gotta thread that screw into the wall at some point to mess with the kids.

 

[thr3squared]

Awesome setup!!

question - when you extend the stand to max height, whats holding them up? I was looking for a pinch bolt or something but dont see it.

 

[RMERR]

Awesome setup!!

question - when you extend the stand to max height, whats holding them up? I was looking for a pinch bolt or something but dont see it.

There's a button at the top of each hanger-arm chrome post, when it's depressed it elongates a little mechanism at the other end and the thing slides freely. When you release the button the little mechanism spreads slightly and the little serated teeth "grab" the inner wall. It's a neat little mechanism that holds very firmly. I think you can see this in the photos here.

 

[Bodj Built]

That is great! And totally something I have been thinking about. I have those same lights (from Costco) and they work awesome. I just hate that they are stuck to the floor or being placed on those flimsy tripods!