[maxpower_hd]

Does anyone have a fluorescnet drop llight that is actually usefull for something other than a torture device to be used while your working on a particularly difficult project? I swear my wife, or one that looks just like her, designed these freekin things to get us in out of our shops.

The ones I end up getting seem to shine right in my face almost every single time, shine anywhere and everywhere except where I actually need it, fall onto whatever it is I'm working on and seem to be clairvoyant somehow and know exactly when I am the most aggrivated. Then, at that precise moment is when it strikes and triggers the temper switch in my brain and makes me black out in a fit of rage. Well this time it went too far and I ended it's life with a swift high arc swing by it's evil tail smashing it into oblivion! I still don't know what happened to some of the pieces. I think they may have actually vaporized but I can't be sure.

Seriously, does anyone have one they are actually happy with? I now need to replace the one that is in my dustpan and I don't think my heart can take another black out incident. Maybe there is a model that comes with a bottle of Xanex or something.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[CD]

I have two actually. The one here at the shop is about 18" long and the one at home is about 2' long. Both have wrap around "blinders" that allow you to focus on the area you are working on. Both have three hooks. One fixed on each end and one that is at the cord end base and can be set in a 360º circle. The hook on the far end can also pivot. You can hang the light at any angle and can twist the lamp so the light does not get in your eyes. Both are bright but have that non glare coating. One is from Checkers and the other I've had so long I forget where it came from.

Both have been dropped many times and survived.

The key is the non glare and the ability to adjust the light to prevent it from shining in your eyes.

[maxpower_hd]

Thanks CD. You wouldn''t happen to remember where you bought that Checkers light would you? I searched on line but came up with zip.

[CD]

I checked the one here and it is a Grainger discontinued model.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...mId=1611782602

Too bad because it works great.

[DeathWind]

They have several styles of Fluorescent work lights that look pretty good, just do key word search for Fluorescent hand lamp.

[FLHTbiker]

Originally Posted by DeathWind

They have several styles of Fluorescent work lights that look pretty good, just do key word search for Fluorescent hand lamp.

I sold tons of fluorescent drop lights off my MAC Tools truck when I was a dealer years back. They always worked good. The best ones had a reflective back and would only put light out in one direction. Pretty bright to and I still use one in the shop. The battery ones never did do a great job but where OK.
Just remember you always get what you pay for and the cheap ones are just that, cheap.

[maxpower_hd]

I was talking to my buddy last night, another drop light fury victim, about this. We want to invent a perfect drop light. (Do you suppose they call them that because they get dropped so much?)

This is the plan so far. DONT STEAL IT!

* Flourescent so it doesn't burn your forearms, face and rectum in those impossible but absolutely necessary areas to reach (think V-6 Fiero)
* tubular shaped with a 360 degree window so it can shine anywhere, including where you want it to (what a concept huh?)
* an internal shield that can be adjusted, like with a knob on top, to keep the light from blinding you to the point you want to stab your freekin eyes out with a red hot spoon just to make it STOP!
* rechargable with two batteries so it never dies and you don't run over the cord with your creeper, EVERY EFFING TIME!
* hot pink or safety orange so you can always find it, even when you're hung over and half brain dead
* break away, swivel hooks at both ends so you can hook it and position it however you like but make you able to rip it off when the hooks ineveitably get stuck where you finally can use it. Hooks should be priced at like $2.00 a dozen.
* It should come with three spare bulbs, minimum.
* Liquid proof for when, not if, it falls in the oil pan

Maybe we can get Snap On to market it and call it Snap-less since it is designed to keep mechanics from FREEKING SNAPPING!

Any other ideas? Do I sound bitter?

[ironhorse]

flouresent drops are in the past in my shop, went to rechargable LED (no cord to catch on) they can last 8-10 hrs, charge it and throw it in the bag. I do keep some incondesent drops around incase I'm in to good of a mood though.

[scooter]

I like the breakaway hooks...good idea!

[maxpower_hd]

Originally Posted by scooter

I like the breakaway hooks...good idea!

I'm thinking it may need a beeper or something too so you can press a button on your keys and find it once there are tools and parts all over the shop.

And maybe it can come with a coupon for a free 12 pack of Bud or something.

[AZroaddust]

If you have a garage and also have a Harbor Freight store near you, for under 30 bucks you can buy a pair of halogen flood light on a stand that can be extended as high as something like 80". Or you can by the pair without the stand for even less and mount it somewhere of your own liking. I there is no Harbor Freight, Home Depot and Lowes have them too. They're just not quite the cheapest of the cheap Chinese versions. (Actually Harbor Freight has some pretty decent tools etc. and phenominally low prices with a life-time gaurantee)

I flip mine on at night with the lights ponted about 45% towards the ceiling and it makes my whole garage brighter than day with the bright white light.

I'm just afraid that if I leave my bike out front for some reason and a cop drives by and sees this, I'll be investigatedd for being a pot growing farm. Who knows? SRP may be watching my electric bill right now on a "tip from a friendly neighbor"

[maxpower_hd]

I do have some halogen work lights but they are VERY hot and almost too bright using them indoors. They also take up a lot of space. I mainly use them on side jobs doing construction.

I'm leaning toward one of the rechargable ones now. The cord can be a PITA when you're on a creeper.

I don't have a Harbor Freight near me and I haven't had a lot of luck in the past with their stuff, or any other off brand stuff either. I think I'll stick with the brand name stuff.

Thanks