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Portable garage/shop light suggestions needed


Boris3

Question

Looking for suggestions on a durable portable shop light. Something I can hang in the engine bay (hook or magnetic) or use when crawling under a car when it's on jack stands.

I've managed to kill off the following

http://m.harborfreight.com/slim-line-fluorescent-work-light-46114.htmlballast died after a year and can't be replaced.

http://m.harborfreight.com/slim-line-fluorescent-work-light-61538.html

Liked this initially but after being dropped once the light bulb won't stay in place in its fixture anymore so it either flickers or just shuts off.

Old style 60-75 watt bulb drop lights with the metal or plastic cage get too hot for close quarters and bulbs break. Killed off a couple of these.

I've got a halogen box light style with stand but this won't work for close quarters and again generates a lot of heat.

Been considering

https://www.menards.com/main/mobile/work-lights/34-led-plug-in-trouble-light-with-15-foot-cord/p-2404973-c-7914.htm

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Bayco-LED-Portable-Work-Light/3112075

Prefer corded rather than rechargeable.

Any suggestions?

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although i'm not really answering your question, have you ever used a nice LED headlamp for this kind of work?  the day someone gave me one as a gift it was like a revelation.  its always naturally pointed where you are working, and it tags along with you when you move, and its in a very safe place (unless you hit your forehead on the car alot).  yeah, there are some times where the light might get blocked, but then you can move your head or set the lamp on the ground and point it.  i haven't busted out a flashlight/worklight for night work in a long time since I got one.

 

the Petzl brand headlamps are really good quality. just don't buy one that has the big battery pack right on the back of your head. i have the petzl zipka - its super small, fits in my pocket, and fits over ball caps and winter hats.

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Thanks for all the suggestions. I did try the headlamp route a while back though it was with a cheap Energizer version. Never really got comfortable with using it and more often than not I was in tight places either in the engine bay or on my back under the car on jack stands and was taking it off and trying to get it angled where I needed.       

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another idea for a floor lamp that i read as a DIY once. (never made one myself since I dont have a garage). 

buy a 4' double fluorescent ceiling fixture (one with a plastic cover) flip it upside down and attach casters, and wire it to a plug instead of a wall box. crap ton of light, and bulbs are cheap to replace and last forever.

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