Nice, bright, cheap (corded) work light?
- Thread starter Danglerb
- Start date
I have one of those I bought at WalMart a few years ago. Works great.
Just checked WalMart's site, and they only list an 18W light, so that's probably what I have. I'd guess a 26W would be even brighter, so it should be even better.
The only thing bad I can say about it is that the hanger is basically worthless. It's too soft and flexes so the light falls down. On top of that, mine broke at some point. Light still works great, though.
Just checked WalMart's site, and they only list an 18W light, so that's probably what I have. I'd guess a 26W would be even brighter, so it should be even better.
The only thing bad I can say about it is that the hanger is basically worthless. It's too soft and flexes so the light falls down. On top of that, mine broke at some point. Light still works great, though.
therealwormey
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2010
- Messages
- 486
if you want it and can afford i dont see the debate
tonydanzah
Well-known member
i bought 2 of those baycos or similar mismarked at meijer for $5 each, was a great mistake. Unfortunately i was helping a friend work on something and he accidentally showed me carb cleaner will melt and fog up the lens on those lights.
american lockpicker
Banned
I have a US made CFL light I got from ollies for a tenner.
PSYKO_Inc
Well-known member
I use a cheap old-style metal worklight with the metal screen over the bulb. Bought it at Lowe's for about $10 several years ago. After going thru 2 or 3 filament bulbs every time I used it (one bump and the bulb is done), I switched to CFL bulbs. I'm currently using one thats the equivalent of a 150w filament bulb, and it does everything I need it to do. Only thing I'm tempted to change is to get a self-retracting cord reel to hang next to my garage door opener motor so I'm not always tripping over the cord.
red69ss
Well-known member
^^ Were you using the rough duty bulbs? I don't have issue with my work light with the rough duty bulbs, but I have had them burn out and tried to use a standard bulb and they blow in a minute.
I've been shopping for one of the flourescent work lights also, so I'm interested in opinions on this one.
I've been shopping for one of the flourescent work lights also, so I'm interested in opinions on this one.
spongerich
Well-known member
I have a couple of those I picked up at an auction. I absolutely love them. One's got a work light and the other had a busted light, so I put a female receptacle on it so I can plug in whatever I need.
The only downside I see is if you have an especially tall vehicle... mine's only 48" tall, so I can let the light hang down far enough that it's easy to reach.
rayzor32
Well-known member
incandescents are all I use cant see squat with fluorescents to the guy busting filaments you have to buy rough service bulbs
PSYKO_Inc
Well-known member
I had never heard of rough service bulbs until today. For now the twisty bulbs seem to do the job for me, but I'll look into a rough service bulb when this one lets go.
As for having a tall vehicle, mine lays the frame on the floor, that low enough for ya?
As for having a tall vehicle, mine lays the frame on the floor, that low enough for ya?
Always debate, might be a better light, made in USA, something coming out soon, so I like to check when its something I don't know that well myself.
I like the Bayco, seems well made, and if the carb cleaner had Acetone in it, no plastic will be happy with that.
Walmart had the Bayco in big display bins (bins marked $15 and taped over), 18 watt 2x9w tubes for $20, online I found the 2x13 for about $30 shipped.
Home Depot had an identical looking Commercial Electric brand for $20 and $30 for 18w and 26w. Very tempting at $50 is a collapsible tripod stand with a removable work light section and a single 65w six finger tube in one adapter. The big light looked GREAT for the main light to flood the whole engine compartment etc, but I bet it calls bugs for miles in the summertime.
***Pretty sure all of these are electronic ballast, cold weather ignition. Both items are worth double checking.
I like the Bayco, seems well made, and if the carb cleaner had Acetone in it, no plastic will be happy with that.
Walmart had the Bayco in big display bins (bins marked $15 and taped over), 18 watt 2x9w tubes for $20, online I found the 2x13 for about $30 shipped.
Home Depot had an identical looking Commercial Electric brand for $20 and $30 for 18w and 26w. Very tempting at $50 is a collapsible tripod stand with a removable work light section and a single 65w six finger tube in one adapter. The big light looked GREAT for the main light to flood the whole engine compartment etc, but I bet it calls bugs for miles in the summertime.
***Pretty sure all of these are electronic ballast, cold weather ignition. Both items are worth double checking.
Speed-Racer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2008
- Messages
- 731
I would purchase a light by National Electric, very high quality and is rebranded by Mac,Matco and snap-on. I think it is better to spend a little more on something that is used on almost every project. The materials used to make this light are much higher quality than the home improvement store brands. I have several national single tube reel lights for sale on the classified section. Have liked this brand for many years which is how I ended up purchasing a package lot, to have a few for my garage and gifts for friends, trying to sell the rest.
The link below is for a twin tube light.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RD0AVG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The link below is for a twin tube light.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RD0AVG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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premierplayer
Well-known member
oooh....aaah....., come here honey, check this out, Santa could bring me one of these.
Thanks for the link, that looks great.
Bulbs used over or near a washing machine are often rough service due to the spin vibration. CFL are a freaking mess if you break one, mercury mess, still best option until LED gets better..
One of those things I know better than to get until some discusion.
One of those things I know better than to get until some discusion.
Danglerb-
Just used one today similar to the one you posted to help me see under the chassis.
The light color is more on the orange/yellow side as compared to LEDs. This one had two rocker switches to activate one or two bulbs.
The down side to this style is the body is a bit wider that a tubular body so if you need to maneuver the light into a cramped area, you might have some problems.
I have a Husky LED drop light with a charger. I like that one for interior work. Doesn't run as hot as the other bulb types and has a nice white flood. I was bummed when they stopped making that model.
Just used one today similar to the one you posted to help me see under the chassis.
The light color is more on the orange/yellow side as compared to LEDs. This one had two rocker switches to activate one or two bulbs.
The down side to this style is the body is a bit wider that a tubular body so if you need to maneuver the light into a cramped area, you might have some problems.
I have a Husky LED drop light with a charger. I like that one for interior work. Doesn't run as hot as the other bulb types and has a nice white flood. I was bummed when they stopped making that model.
shampoop
Well-known member
just ordered this http://www.tooltopia.com/central-tools-central-lighting-121cp.aspx
Relatively cheap and it hopefully won't break. It's going to be used a LOT and probably will live a hard life.
Relatively cheap and it hopefully won't break. It's going to be used a LOT and probably will live a hard life.
wafrederick
Well-known member
you can use energy saving bulbs in a work light,last longer and the metal heat shields don't get hot
wellstig1
Well-known member
You will not be disappointed with that work light, those things are tanks.
Greatbear
Well-known member
I have the Bayco light. I like the fact that you can switch the bulbs individually. My only issue is with the design of the electrics. It uses a transistorized driver/inverter ("ballast") and the switches for the bulbs are wired between the inverter and the lamps. This design leaves the inverter powered up when the lights are off and the lamp is plugged in. Mine makes a slight hissing sound when it is turned off. No biggie, as I would unplug the light when I was finished with it. However, I wanted to replace a broken lamp on one of my reels with this one, but did not want a constantly powered inverter.
timgr
Well-known member
I was able to get the rough service bulbs at either Lowes or Home Depot (not sure which).
But I was unimpressed. They last longer than the regular incandescents, but they still don't last very long.
Now I use CFLs in a conventional steel-cage drop light (Sears) and am happy with them. So far, I have not lost a CFL in this service.
If you don't like the light, alter the color temperature. Personally, I look for bulbs with the highest color temperature available (so-called daylight bulbs). Also, give them time to warm up, and leave them on till you're finished working.
LEDs will be better once they get cheaper (no breakage risk). But high-wattage LED bulbs are still too expensive.
But I was unimpressed. They last longer than the regular incandescents, but they still don't last very long.
Now I use CFLs in a conventional steel-cage drop light (Sears) and am happy with them. So far, I have not lost a CFL in this service.
If you don't like the light, alter the color temperature. Personally, I look for bulbs with the highest color temperature available (so-called daylight bulbs). Also, give them time to warm up, and leave them on till you're finished working.
LEDs will be better once they get cheaper (no breakage risk). But high-wattage LED bulbs are still too expensive.
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Good tip, don't like the color of the CFL, get a different bulb. Most of the common sizes come in a range of colors.
Putting a CFL in a normal screw base trouble light works pretty well too, but the made for CFL usually have a nice reflector so you get more of the light on your work.
My $7 HF CFL's are the same size as the Northern $40, not as rugged, but I haven't killed one yet. They are fine for any work you can get them fairly close to, but I want a 26w or higher to flood the area when I can't get that close, or just need the whole area lit up.
Bad thing is this is making me want reels really bad. I'm not going with a trouble light on a reel though, I prefer a 3 outlet extension so I can have two lights and a "thing" like a battery charger, drill etc.
Putting a CFL in a normal screw base trouble light works pretty well too, but the made for CFL usually have a nice reflector so you get more of the light on your work.
My $7 HF CFL's are the same size as the Northern $40, not as rugged, but I haven't killed one yet. They are fine for any work you can get them fairly close to, but I want a 26w or higher to flood the area when I can't get that close, or just need the whole area lit up.
Bad thing is this is making me want reels really bad. I'm not going with a trouble light on a reel though, I prefer a 3 outlet extension so I can have two lights and a "thing" like a battery charger, drill etc.
I like the Snap On power cord reel / light combo. Has a 30 foot power cord, found it at Costco for $35 bucks or so. If you don't need the light, unplug it to use the power cord.
Light Plugged in
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view¤t=photo5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/photo5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Light unplugged
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view¤t=photo-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/photo-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Light turned on in a pitch black garage
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view¤t=photo2-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/photo2-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Light Plugged in
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view¤t=photo5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/photo5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Light unplugged
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view¤t=photo-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/photo-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Light turned on in a pitch black garage
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view¤t=photo2-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/photo2-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I think Snapon decided allowing cheap Chinese items to use their brand wasn't a good idea and pulled the plug on all the Costco stuff.
No idea what the reel is like, but the Snapon flashlights were junk from Costco.
No idea what the reel is like, but the Snapon flashlights were junk from Costco.
shampoop
Well-known member
update: just came in the mail. So far it seems VERY nice. What i noticed first was that the cord is very long, and it's made out of a very high quality rubber. Feels more like noeprene or silicone than standard cords do. very flexible and feels like it will last a lot longer than average. The light portion is a one piece design and seems way way stronger than anything else i've seen coworkers use. It's nice the back side of the light has a label under the plastic that clearly lists the rough service bulb replacement part number. Also says MADE IN THE USA
rompn63
Member
The Bayco's switches could use something around them to keep them from being turned off when laying flat on the ground. The plastic hangers are ****.
I went to Home Depot intending to buy the 26 watt two tube CFL, National Electric, something like that, but its the same unit someone else posted about with the transformer always on when plugged in and the switches between the lamps and transformer.
Ended up down the street at Walmart and bought the 18 watt two tube CFL by Bayco for $19.97 ($10 less). Performs about as expected.
Tested them out working in the garage at night, picking a last few parts off a donor car before hauling it away to scrap, and the Bayco did well. Predictably the light output was about double the $7 1 tube 9 watt HF work lights, and about the same, with a different pattern than the grid of LEDs worklight also from HF, but the biggest light output was from a cheap aluminum utility fixture with a spring clamp from Ikea fitted with a spiral "60 watt" equivalent CFL (much brighter than similar CFL in my old plastic trouble light), but no protective cover designed to clamped at a bit of a distance.
Didn't get exactly what I wanted, should work fine though, but I still may pick up something CFL and 52 watt when one I like in person turns up.
Ended up down the street at Walmart and bought the 18 watt two tube CFL by Bayco for $19.97 ($10 less). Performs about as expected.
Tested them out working in the garage at night, picking a last few parts off a donor car before hauling it away to scrap, and the Bayco did well. Predictably the light output was about double the $7 1 tube 9 watt HF work lights, and about the same, with a different pattern than the grid of LEDs worklight also from HF, but the biggest light output was from a cheap aluminum utility fixture with a spring clamp from Ikea fitted with a spiral "60 watt" equivalent CFL (much brighter than similar CFL in my old plastic trouble light), but no protective cover designed to clamped at a bit of a distance.
Didn't get exactly what I wanted, should work fine though, but I still may pick up something CFL and 52 watt when one I like in person turns up.