Show Me Your Shop LIght!

I need a shop light or two, and am undecided about what to get. When I built my shop I installed electrical outlets in the ceiling anticipating using reel shop lights. Then I got a cordless black and decker LED shop light for a gift and just used that instead. I liked it, but the light was kind of directional and I didn't like that about it. It got run over, so I need something else. Since I can't decide, I thought I'd ask all of you what you have, if you like it or not, and why. Get on with it...

Cheapo corded HF light. Works and is bright enough, but the thing gets way to hot for my liking.

I've got one from Walmart that's pretty handy. It's a Bayco, I think. Kinda handy, puts out great light, come with a car charger as well as a wall plug. Battery life is epic. The biggest problem is that I broke the hook off the top, so now its goal in life is to roll around until it is illuminating the front of my brain through my eyeballs. Still, if I can place it well it's good.

But recently, I've been using some little cheapies from Harbor Freight. Picked 'em up for $4 at the register, complete with batteries. They're small enough to fit in wheel wells or the engine bay without getting in the way, and a magnet on the back makes it stay put. Not rechargeable, but after months of use one of them is just starting to get weak. I'll toss in some new batteries soon. They put out good light. Strongly recommended, especially for the price. $3.99!

I have a bunch... and have no real preference. A corded H-F fluorescent tube light for the majority of garage work. The cord is a PITA at times, but it doesn't get hot and no batteries to keep charged... non-directional light is good for lighting an open space (under a car). Also have an old style drop light. A DeWalt 18V goose-neck light that comes in handy often. And an rechargable LED fold-out light that I can never remember to recharge and constantly misplace the charger for (I really need to remember to label chargers with generic-style LV plugs...)

i have an extension cord reel mounted right next to my ceiling outlet. I usually use something like this while working on/under the car

kind of big and bulky, but bright as hell.

Keith wrote:

I have a small LED light like that, but as a head-torch. Bought it for another reason altogether, but it's proven to be most handy when crawling around under cars.

Griots LED work light, I've been kicking the crap out of these things in a commercial garage setting for a few years now. I've broken one by crushing it with a lift which made it non-waterproof and then dropping it in a coolant catch pan which killed the switch. They're a little pricey at $40 but will last a full work week on one charge and take insane amounts of abuse.

The light is made by Coolite which appears to be a British company, Groits is the only North American supplier I can find.

Here's my current light at around 1.5 years old and still kicking ass.

BoxheadTim wrote: Cheapo corded HF light. Works and is bright enough, but the thing gets way to hot for my liking.

That's why I like the LED type. It's hot enough in Georgia!

I need to get one of those little hanging ones. However, this has been very convenient. Not a "real" shop light, but adjustable angle makes pointing it in weird places pretty easy. The bottom part is a removable charging stand and doesn't accompany me under the car.

Vector VEC164

I am hooked on these things.

Drop light, an old fashioned flashlight and a bunch of clip lights? Gawd am I out of date. I do have a headlamp.

Incandescent lights for me. At least when it comes to drop lights. I have used flourescent and LED, and don't like either. I can't see squat with them. The blue/green tint just kills any illumination as far as my eyes are concerned.

For overall shop lighting, ceiling lighting, I do like flourescent tubes, because it's large areas of light, greatly helping to eliminate shadows.

I've got some of those halogen spotlights on stands. True, they throw a light of light. But they create tremendous shadows, and if you accidently let your eye wander into it, you lay there blind for a minute or two.