Need a Worklight...

[kartracer55]

Actually, I think Im going to get my Dad one for christmas. The old-style "burn off your epidermis on the metal cage" style with with frayed cord isnt cutting it anymore.

Anyway, between work, school and friends shops I have tried ALOT of different work lights. And honestly, this just makes deciding even harder.

Right now I have it narrowed fown to 2, but Im sure that will change after this thread.

http://www.etoolcart.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8985

Or

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/CEN-121CP-00.html

I can get the first one for about 45 from a local auto-parts store, so price isnt really a concern.

All I know for sure is that I want either an LED or a Flourescent because of them cooler temp. My one complaint about LED lights are that they tend to gve off alot of glare because the light tends to be TOO intense sometimes. Also, Im not too sure about the quality if this light. Im 99% sure its made in china, and its branded "ATD." As I recall, alot of ATD stuff is sold at swapmeets/fleamarkets. My boss mentioned he has been using his for about a year with no complaints, but My concern with cordless lights would be the batteries not holding a charge after a while. The central is made in the US, and I have older Central measuring tools and I have used thier newer stuff, and its pretty good quality, especially for the money.

I would like some other suggestions as well. Must be either cordless or a traditional cord, no reels for portability reasons. Id also like to keep it around 50$, and I dont like the double tube flourescent lights... too wide. What do you guys think? Has anybody used either of these?

Thanks

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

I use a single tube flourescent and I like it because it remains cool and I can shove it into just about any nook or cranny under the hood. I also have an LED that I never use. I wish I could tell you more about teh flourescent, but I got it at a garage sale years ago. if I were going to buy another light, it would probably be another flourescent.

ps.... I cannot spe;l for s6it.

 

[bmwpower]

I've had this one for years. Magnet is a must. Can't tell you how many times I've needed to stick it on the frame while doing something under the car. Hooks just don't cut it. The lens has seen better days, though.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...al=TOOL&subcat=Work+Lights&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

The other thing I use more often is my Ryobi 18v light. Sometimes you need a focus of light into a dark area, instead of general task lighting like the Craftsman.

 

[VvvJRvvV]

I agree with bmw. I have had this Craftsman light forever. If it dies, I will go buy another one. This one is on a reel, I prefer that over the corded model.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Electrical+Shop&pid=03483912000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Work+Lights&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[kblazer87]

Another vote for Craftsman. I have 3 of them. Two of the short ones and one of their longer ones.
Mike

 

[BoostAddiction]

I've had this one for years. Magnet is a must. Can't tell you how many times I've needed to stick it on the frame while doing something under the car. Hooks just don't cut it. The lens has seen better days, though.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...al=TOOL&subcat=Work+Lights&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

The other thing I use more often is my Ryobi 18v light. Sometimes you need a focus of light into a dark area, instead of general task lighting like the Craftsman.

Shockingly, I have the same one as bmwpower (except mine is in yellow to match the arms on the lift and is on a reel above the car).

I use it all the time. I also have a cordless LED one but the quantity of light it puts out is pretty small, and is no help for eyes as old as mine, so it just sits in the drawer.

-Will

 

[SuperKid]

I also have the Craftsman. It was a Christmas gift from my brother last year. Works great and the magnet is a great feature.

 

[HighOctane]

My neighbor has the craftsman but a year or two older of a model and he seems to like it.

 

[stupidjet]

i have this one. pretty much a standard worklight. cheap. lowes, home depot, pretty much can find it anywhere. but the cman one is nice too b/c of the mgnet.

 

[69lkmno]

I agree with bmw. I have had this Craftsman light forever. If it dies, I will go buy another one. This one is on a reel, I prefer that over the corded model.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Electrical+Shop&pid=03483912000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Work+Lights&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

I have 2 of this hanging in my garage and I love it. If you need power all you need is pull it from the ceiling. Winding it back is so easy as well.

 

[stioc]

Initially I loved my florescent work light because its cool to touch, doesn't break and gives off whitish light. But the glare is very annoying, I could never position it such that the glare won't blind me. Now I prefer florescent for the garage lights and incandescent for work lights. I haven't tried any LED lights yet.

 

[l_bilyk]

I got a fancy retractable LED worklight with a magnet and all the jazz... but I gotta be completely honest... most of the time i reach for the good ol metal cage light. It's been run over twice and bent back into shape.. still going! Recently I put a 13W energy saver bulb in there that gives off as much light as a 60 watt bulb. It's freaking fantastic now. Bright as day and no burns

 

[Fast Orange]

I have both the LED and flourescent lights-each has it's benefits and shortcomings.
My flourescent light puts out more light than the LED,but in some situations the cord and it's size make it a PIA to deal with.With any flourescent you look at,make sure of two things- the cord should be as flexible as possible so it doesn't try to wrap itself back up while in use-rubber is better than thermoplastic jacket wire-make sure the bulb can't shake around in the light-flourescent lamps break easily and if it can shake around in the light,it will break when the light gets dropped-also,make sure the replacement lamp is easily available at home centers or hardware stores.
The LED light I have is the Bluepoint 30 LED from Snap-On. It runs over 5 hours on a charge,but the light is very harsh-very white and directional.It's big benefit is it's size and lack of a cord-great for working under the dash or under the car on a creeper. Although S-O says it recharges in an hour,I find that 2 hours is more realistic.
As far as cost,the flourescent should be cheaper,unless you get one with a reel.The Bluepoint LED was about $100 from S-O when I bought it,but there is another light that is VERY simular called the Freedom Light that sells for much less.

George

 

[JohnZ]

I have the Craftsman flourescents too, on overhead reels, in my main work area as well as adjacent to my lift; also have extension cords on overhead reels next to the drop light reels in both areas - keeps cords off the floor.

 

[TNToy]

LED... I'm 99% sure its made in china, and its branded "ATD." As I recall, alot of ATD stuff is sold at swapmeets/fleamarkets. My boss mentioned he has been using his for about a year with no complaints...

If it will make you feel better, you can buy that exact same light with a matco logo on it for $100. I think it's in their current sales flier - the one they publish each month with the specials in it.

A few guys at work have a saberlight. They're tough and hold up well. Battery life is really good.

 

[Jokeman]

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/ALR-DPL25G.html

Cant beat the doubles for hangin under the hood. Have a single florescent for tight places.

 

[TNToy]

Cant beat the doubles for hangin un...product.aspx?productid=1888&affiliateid=10050

I have an earlier model with 60LEDs and less battery. And the battery life ***** - about 20 minutes. The guy next to me uses the Matco version of this one, and it lasts hours... and it's almost as bright as my 60 LED.

Here's the Matco flavor. Part #M6300M

When I buy another cordless droplight, that's going to be the one.

 

[swgray]

On a trip to South Dakota I bought a rechargeable LED light which I think is quite good. And I'm not really a fan of LED flashlights. Usually the color seems purplish. This one is whiter than most I've seen. Its a ProLite Electronix. I got it at a Menards, they aren't around my area.

It has a focused beam, with 24 LED's. From about 4 feet, the beam is about 8 inches across. I used it quite a bit the past week. It was on at least 5-6 hours before I noticed any dimming.