What are you doing for additional lighting while under a car?

[rcx132]

Lighting has been the pain in my life for years. My new garage has long strip lights, best I've had, but I still need extra lighting when working inside wheel arches, under car etc, especially when welding.

I tried a clip on lamp with a bulb but I find bulbs create strong shadows presumably because the light is coming from only one point.

I tried a 230v strip light, that worked good except it's not designed to be knocked around and quickly broke.

No luck with flood lights, very bright and then very dark spots like the bulb lamp.

 

[God mode restorations]

Lighting has been the pain in my life for years. My new garage has long strip lights, best I've had, but I still need extra lighting when working inside wheel arches, under car etc, especially when welding.

I tried a clip on lamp with a bulb but I find bulbs create strong shadows presumably because the light is coming from only one point.

I tried a 230v strip light, that worked good except it's not designed to be knocked around and quickly broke.

No luck with flood lights, very bright and then very dark spots like the bulb lamp.

I use a lot of the headband type led lights. They are very bright and can take a lot of abuse. You can hang them from things ECT. Good for doing inner arch repair work .

 

[Shedendman]

Rechargeable LED work lights ie
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5W-COB-LE...828503&hash=item1ecc143793:g:CrcAAOSwS9pZdxJZ

cant show you the one i have,but its not bad and its taken some severe punishment in the 6 mths i've had it

 

[rtcosic]

Cheap 10W LED exterior floodlights mounted on a simple stand low to the ground.

Or almost any LED head torch these days..

 

[rcx132]

I rely on head torches, have worked well for years but they also annoy me. I just ordered a magnetic inspection LED lamp of ebay.

 

[optima21]

for general illumination I have led lights at the bottom of the legs of my car port

on my welding helmets I've fitted LED bulbs

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/illuminated-welding-helmet.48392/#post-541016

but for general work I use a 3 watt led headtorch

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm391322913893

which will also go around the face mask I use

and as Ive now standardised on aaa sized batteries, I have several sets of rechargeable batteries so Im never without power, when the batteries go flat I just swap them for another set that are charged

 

[Lufbramatt]

I use a Makita LED worklight that uses the same batteries as my cordless drill, they're quite cheap if you already have the batteries and charger.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/defender-e708670-a-frame-plasterers-light-36w-110v/96346

Use these all the time working in low light situations. Not used under cars but while renovating buildings. Good spread and very diffuse light without blinding. Used in conjunction with a spot should help with dark shadows.

 

[Robotstar5]

I have couple of these one at work and one at home, powerful torch in the end or floodlight in the side.

 

[8ob]

Despite having loads of light and white walls I still find myself needing extra lamps, nothing replaces daylight.




I bought these from lidi`s , the square ones have a decent adjustable base, the two wands which come as a pair clip together to make a long unit if you need it and have a hi/lo switch for energy saving.

 

[jsf55]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-Porta...321607?hash=item2a87c2dec7:g:NMgAAOSwpINZZzvG
Use them all the time in work, fit the bas of a magnetic beacon (dead one) to the base and they last for hours

 

[Screwdriver]

I used a couple of builders lights, those 110v site lamps, took the base off and shoved them under.

From this thread:http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/rotten-vw-t4.56717/

Those of a nervous disposition should look away, especially if you don't like rust!

 

[gavcarter]

One of these with a good length of 3 core flex on

 

[fizzy]

I use a portable 2D light - they are a fluorescent tube shaped like a kettle element. Loads of light, very cold running and last forever.

 

[rcx132]

Thanks for the suggestions. Decided to go for the rechargeable LED flood and a magnetic inspection light. I set up both, lighting me up from two angles to reduce shadows.

No offence to the suggestions I ignored, I've had enough of head torches, they annoy me these days! @gavcarter tried that also the light just broke from being knocked around.

 

[gavcarter]

Yea I've replaced a few tubes on mine now. What about LED T8 tubes? Would they not be any better?

 

[rcx132]

Yea I've replaced a few tubes on mine now. What about LED T8 tubes? Would they not be any better?

I'll take a look. What I have it good now, but no harm in getting one more light, the quality of my work goes right up if there's good light.

Got these for now:

 

[gavcarter]

To be fair I've managed to smash more t8 tubes on the ceiling than I have in the floor light......
I'm going to replace them all with led flood lights

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I've been using a conventional 240v inspection lamp for years but the bulbs would never last that long, about a year ago I swapped for an expensive £10ish (100W equivalent) led bulb which has been perfect since.