Just wondering if anyone has a better trouble light than the 75W light bulb in a cage. I'm about ready to flatten mine! I had it hooked up overhead while woking under the dash, and the damn thing fell on my ear! ...man they get HOT. Is there a good light out there?
Was doing a windshield at a truck repair shop yesterday and I noticed a wrench using some kind of a cordless (rechargeable....??) fluorescent light. About a foot long, real bright, and cool to the touch. Said it was really durable and no burnt ear lobes when you accidently rest your noggin on it.
You know, I never thought about it, but this thread is long over due! I break these damn things all the time, even the tube ones with the long skinny bulbs in 'em!
I use a fluorescent drop light (18" tube). Actually on my second one. First one got run over 8 or 9 years ago. Current light has been more than abused and has yet to let me down. Cool to the touch and easy to position. Used to carry a 12 volt version in the shop truck.
I likek the idea of cordless rechargeable, and as much as i like my cordless tools, I got so frikken many dead 18V milwaukee batterys layen around (at $75 a pop), that I'm not sure if that's the answer either.
Snap-on makes a 3 bulb flourescent drop light, compact like a regular one....very hard to break, works *****in and never gets hot...
You could replace the bulbs with the new replacement flourescents, however I don't know what kind of punishment the flourescents can take drop-wise and bang-wise.
Alrighty, Fellas...I realize this is a traditional board and all...but it's time for you to be dragged into the 20'th century. Check it out...any place that carries Astro Pneumatic tools (I.E. Homo Depot) should have access to a 30 led rechargable drop light. get this...they're REALLY bright-probably more so than your 75 watt fire trap. they have not only a flood, but typically are also "focused" toward the center.-meaning you not only have flood power, there is someone standing with a flashlight on your subject as well. a good charge lasts around 30 hours. and they don't even get warm. they're typically around 40 -50 bucks...but worth every cent. ask Black Primer's ear. and the top of my left hand.
I use the compact fluoresecent bulbs they are tougher than a regular bulb and they are ear friendly cool burning, no heat. I see a lot of guys using the LED lights but I don't like the bluish colored light that they put out.
Why do you think they're called "Trouble Lights"? Because they're nothing but trouble!! I've been using one of those little halogen lights on a headband when I'm working overhead. The light is always right where you're looking and both hands are free. I forget the name of 'em, but they're available at Home Depot. Loew's, HF, etc. Around $20.00, as I recall.
. Look into those new 60-80 LED rechargeable hand held lamps. Lots of light, cool low power consumption , Reusable cost. $ 40-90. No cords/batterys...H
I 've started using the compact flourescent bulbs - almost no heat so you can lay them down any where and you will not get burned by them. The 13 watt has as much light as a conventional 60 watt - you don't need any thing bigger for good light. They seem to hold up good too. And you can feel good by helping to save good ole mother earth.
Many years ago I was talking with a EE friend of mine complaining about changing incandescent light bulbs in my Air Meter. He sugested I convert it to LED's. So one day at lunch we soldered one up using a broken light bulb and a dozen or so LED's. That freakin thing has been buring 24-7 for about 12 years now (Hot, Cold, Rain & Snow). Boy, did we miss an opportunity or what??? Oh yeah I use a flourescent bulb in my old time trouble light. It's a nice one bought for dirt off Ebay.
I like the short flourescents, have broken several of the long ones being stupid and gaining leverage cause of their length. If you get a 4 bulb head, it can get uncomfortably hot, but nothing that'll leave a mark. Certainly not like an incandescent bulb. Higher buy-in will pay back when the same bulbs are in use after 3 years. Can probably get a flourescent light for whatever cordless drill is in your garage too.
I replaced the bulb in my troublelight and so far it survived a 6 ft drop from a ladder. Just did the same with my lathe and milling machine, they do well with hot oily chips.
goin to check with the groinacoligist see what they use .... that don't get hot and leaves a been here dun that burn mark!!!!!!
Definitely the twisty flourescents, they can take a drop, they have them in 23watt(replaces 100watt) and not too hot, may not work in a blasting cabinet.
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