Under car worklight

[Dadillac]

So I was installing a catalytic convertor on my sons car yesterday and had the car on Rhino ramps. I do not have a lift. So I was using a fluorescent drop light that I have had for a while. This light *****. It puts out a lot of light but the damn thing will never stay pointed where I want it to light up. So now I am on the hunt for a replacement worklight. Price is not a factor in this purchase. I just want to know what you guys use for working under a vehicle that is on the ground. So the light needs to be somewhat compact, put out a lot of light, is stable and will stay aimed where you want it, and a flood light is preferable over a spot light. Would prefer a corded light over a battery or chargeable but I am open to suggestions. I am considering LED as this type of light should not get very hot. And I am seeing lights that are on small stands that will be stable and not move. But not sure that the height of them will be good for what I am using it for. Please help. Thanks

Don

 

[Randy in Maine]

A buddy gave me one of these and it has been very handy...

https://www.amazon.com/Ullman-Devices-RT2-LT-Rotating-Magnetic/dp/B003Y3VAYA/ref=zg_bs_5772204011_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C395NJYSAACQVCJ45YDQ

Cheap money but fairly durable.

 

[Dadillac]

For reference this is the light I currently have
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Dou...tt-Fluorescent-Work-Light-HD-926PDQ/204993248
This light will, whenever it feels like, rotate while laying on the floor. It then takes quite some time to get it right again. Plus it gets very hot to the touch.

Don

 

[JerryC]

This is my favorite all time "working on the car" light, so much so that I bought a second one shortly after using the first one.

https://www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html

I used it to do a cat-back exhaust on a car that was on ramps up front and jack stands in the back.

In your case you stick it to the floor, frame, etc... and the light portion can be angled to aim where you are working.

 

[matt_i]

I had good luck with a Milwaukee M18 LED worklight & changed a FWD transmission using it....working off the floor and not on a lift.

 

[SuperCat]

Another vote for the Astro 40 SL (the Astro 40 Max has a bigger battery).
I have a Astro 40 SL and the spouse uses it too, it is long lasting and very bright. It also has adjustable brightness control, which makes the battery last longer, and a strong magnet on the bottom with adjustable swivel. Stays where you put it, gets the job done. Highly recommended!

 

[Dadillac]

I had good luck with a Milwaukee M18 LED worklight & changed a FWD transmission using it....working off the floor and not on a lift.

I saw this on Home Depot site and it looks like it will do what I need. I already have the batteries. Seems like it will also be very bright

Don

 

[Dadillac]

For the guys who posted the Astro lights and the HF light. My concern with these lights, just looking at the pictures, is that the light could easily roll. The light portion of it looks thinner than the base and the bases look round. Could you guys advise on this? Also how bright is it really? I have 350 and 400 lumen flashlights. Although quite bright that is in the focused position. When that amount of lumens spreads out in a flood pattern it seems like maybe it might be lacking.

Don

 

[DFB]

I saw this on Home Depot site and it looks like it will do what I need. I already have the batteries. Seems like it will also be very bright

Don

Milwaukee makes multiple lights and I have several of them in both 12v and 18v so I can give a fair opinion

Without a link which light you are referencing as the "worklight"...the basic multi head flashlight? That is the least expensive I have that those both M12 /M18 light beam is so so

They also have sticklight which has two light settings and the multi position head can also stand on the battery or hang with a pair of metal hooks (the other work light hook is plastic) light on sticks is called tru view defines colors well, I have both the M12 and M18. M18 is more useful IMO

The Rover line of lights the original hex sided M18 style is pretty useful and can be set at multiple angles tho fine tuning it is a bit more difficult. I have a couple of those.

M12 rover is my all around favorite with spring loaded clip and magnet and 3 light intensity mode settings. I rigged a wire with hooked ends under the spring clip for hanging in frame and hood slots

They have a new M18 model that is similar and the head adjusts I have no experience with that one and hasn't been much feedback



There is also another Rover light more like a halogen flood light that swivels on a floor base also can be used with a 120vac cord beside a battery. Very bright.

There is also the underhood light, big and expensive.

Basically the costs from cheapest to most expensive are just how I listed them

A variant is the M18 searchlight has a swivel head and flood mode along with spot

 

[59 wagon man]

Ryobi 18+1 cordless light is battery powered or you can plug it into 110. it will light up the entire bottom and is very durable if you have the batteries

 

[JerryC]

For the guys who posted the Astro lights and the HF light. My concern with these lights, just looking at the pictures, is that the light could easily roll. The light portion of it looks thinner than the base and the bases look round. Could you guys advise on this? Also how bright is it really? I have 350 and 400 lumen flashlights. Although quite bright that is in the focused position. When that amount of lumens spreads out in a flood pattern it seems like maybe it might be lacking.

Don

For the HF, The light wand moves 180 degrees. If you angle the wand any it does not roll. When it is straight up it will roll. The way the wand can angle is big plus. For example under the car you use the magnet to stick it the floorpan and bend the wand 90 degrees to shine back up at the car. Bending the wand also lets you reduce the height needed by half so it will fit in smaller spaces.

As for the light pattern it is a flood light with more than enough light. I just stood in the doorway to a room that is 22x15 and it lit the entire room. My wife said, "geez hun, you just blinded me" You don't want to point it at your face and turn it on.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I have two of these Utilitech lights from Lowes

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-Pro-1-Lumen-LED-Portable-Work-Light/50196411

They come with both a 120V plug and a 12V car adapter plug. For the 12V side I rigged up a battery adapter to run it on my Milwaukee M12 batteries. Not perfect, but very efficient and cheap.

My buddy has a Milwaukee M12 Rover and it's a great light as well.

 

[Dadillac]

So I went to Home Depot and Harbor Freight after work today. Bought this at Home Depot
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...n-LED-Flood-Light-Tool-Only-2361-20/204606933
When I got it home I threw it under the car and lit it up. This will work just fine. Very Very bright and will not roll on me. When I got to Harbor Freight they had no Braun lights in stock. Woman there told me they get their truck on Wednesday. So I will be heading there to pick one of those up. I come across many situations where that light will be more needed than the Milwaukee. Thanks all

Don

 

[blair683]

I use a good name brand head lamp. It has a few option for wide beam, spot light, etc. it shines wherever I am looking.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Energizer-Vision-HD-Focus-315-Lumen-LED-Headlamp/1000009446

 

[texasprd]

Mine is embarrassingly low-tech amidst all these LED lights... Dayco(?) corded fluorescent drop light. The two-prong wire hanger can be squeezed and rotated around the housing to keep it pointed where you want while it's lying on the ground

 

[DFB]

I use a good name brand head lamp. It has a few option for wide beam, spot light, etc. it shines wherever I am looking.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Energizer-Vision-HD-Focus-315-Lumen-LED-Headlamp/1000009446

My pal that runs a motorcycle shop uses headlamps all the time and like you say they shine wherever you are looking. Just don't start talking to him because he lift his head and turn to look at you and then blinds ya


Other than that they work pretty good for the bike work

 

[kj_mustang]

For the HF, The light wand moves 180 degrees. If you angle the wand any it does not roll. When it is straight up it will roll. The way the wand can angle is big plus. For example under the car you use the magnet to stick it the floorpan and bend the wand 90 degrees to shine back up at the car. Bending the wand also lets you reduce the height needed by half so it will fit in smaller spaces.

As for the light pattern it is a flood light with more than enough light. I just stood in the doorway to a room that is 22x15 and it lit the entire room. My wife said, "geez hun, you just blinded me" You don't want to point it at your face and turn it on.

It also has a magnetic base so I stand it upright on metal.

 

[blair683]

My pal that runs a motorcycle shop uses headlamps all the time and like you say they shine wherever you are looking. Just don't start talking to him because he lift his head and turn to look at you and then blinds ya


Other than that they work pretty good for the bike work

Ya, I to sometimes forget to turn it off before I start talking to someone.

 

[Billy Jack]

Like many others, I've come to really like this light: https://www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html

For anti-roll floor use, cut a 1 1/2" or so square scrap of any available ferrous metal. Rotate the light to the angle you need and stick the square to the magnetic base.

Bill

 

[Dadillac]

Like many others, I've come to really like this light: https://www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html

For anti-roll floor use, cut a 1 1/2" or so square scrap of any available ferrous metal. Rotate the light to the angle you need and stick the square to the magnetic base.

Bill

Now that is innovative thinking. I will be buying this light so I may use this tip. Thanks

Don

 

[D45]

The Braun LED lights from HF are fantastic, especially for the price