Replies

1. 
   calvin | Mar 24, 2012 10:47pm | #1

   Don

   Here's what has worked for me.

   Buy a 500, put a 250 in it.

   They do not hold up to the heat.

   The 10 dollar ones are as good and long lasting as the 50 dollar light.

   The only good thing about these POS lights, you get to scavenge those threaded knobs for various jigs.

1. 
   IdahoDon | Mar 24, 2012 11:04pm | #2

   I've wondered about that....sounds like a good way to reduce the heat generated inside the housing.  Although for this job I do need about 2000 watts of additional light (A large mahogany bar I'm staining in place and need the light to insure even coverage of the stain I'm spraying).

2. 
   DanH | Mar 24, 2012 11:58pm | #3

   I have a wonderful fluorescent pole light that includes it's own tripod stand.  HD sold them for about 6 months, maybe 6 years back.  Equivalent to about 500 watts but without the heat and without the danger of burning yourself or setting something on fire.  Don't know why HD dropped it -- it is maybe a hair chintzy, but everyone who sees it loves it.

   I would hope that something equivalent has been re-introduced -- it's dumb to use high-wattage incandescent work lights anymore.

3. 
   davidmeiland | Mar 25, 2012 11:04am | #4

   Halogen worklights

   are wretched and awful pieces of disposable equipment. I have several, including some on stands, and they are the worst pieces of junk that I own. Whoever decided to set the bar that low ought to be sentenced to life in a crawl space, trying to work between joists while the head on their worklight keeps flopping over because the stupid cord is only 6" long and the adjustment mechanism broke in the first day of use. Bah!!

   You might want to take a look at Wobble Lights. I have a small one. They cast a lot of diffuse light. IMO they are not good for drywall finishing because they don't create the same shadows as halogen lights, but the are great for general light. They are very well made pieces of permanent equipment.

4. 
   stormando | Mar 30, 2012 11:38am | #5

   Lighting in general seems worse than ever??

   Halogen work lights are a joke. I'm having problems with all kinds of lights. Seems like quality is getting worse & worse. Have tried everything for porch lights and they just keep burning out. "Long Life", Rough Service, 130 volt,  None last any length of time.

   50 watt 12 volt halogens seem to last about 2 weeks before the pins break and then stop working.

   Only lights that last are $7.50 a pop Halogen Floods indoors.

   Maybe they're making incandescents worse & worse on purpose to help push the Murcury filled dimm bulb agenda?

1. 
   IdahoDon | Mar 30, 2012 11:41pm | #6

   I spent another $50 on three 500 watt worklights that I expect to burn out at any moment - probably two will crap out next Tuesday and wednesday when I really need them.  The worst tool I have ever owned!  wtf?

1. 
   calvin | Mar 31, 2012 07:22am | #7

   Remember, they'll last longer............

   with lower wattage "bulbs".

1. 
   Piffin | Apr 02, 2012 05:42pm | #10

   Calvin

   that is what I did when I was using the things.

   I also get scared of the excessive heat the halogens produce. When aimed at paint it can flash off too fast, and when anywhere near flameables, I am nervous like a proverbiaal cat on a hot tin roof.

   So I finally gave them away.

   Another thing to keep in mind is that you should never touch the bulbs with your bare hands. the oils in your skin transfer to the glass and create a hot spot that makes it burn out faster.

1. 
   calvin | Apr 02, 2012 06:12pm | #11

   Remember..............

   when you reheated those ribs you had last night on the manifold of your truck?

   Well, those lights could do the same-flip back, lay on the foil pkg, done in 10.

   Never tried eggs, but I bet you could poach 'em.

5. 
   patrick_mccombe | Apr 02, 2012 04:30pm | #8

   try a wobble light

   These work well and seem to be nearly indestructable:

   http://www.amazon.com/Wobble-Light-111203-27-Inch-Fluorescent/dp/B000I2MVJI

1. 
   Piffin | Apr 02, 2012 05:38pm | #9

   Patrick

   I have not met you yet, I don't think, but just wanted to say I am glad to see somebody fom Taunton paying some atention here

2. 
   IdahoDon | Apr 02, 2012 10:54pm | #12

   I do like the high wattage bulb (90 w?) used in the Wobble lights - I have a replacement bulb for one in a ceiling light fixture in my garage - it does put out a lot of nice light for $20.  

   I just don't care for the non-directional light they put out and most finish work seems to need light in very specific places so the 500w floods do a good job when they are working--they just don't work all that well.

   Of the three new 500w worklights I picked up a few days ago - one has already burned out the bulb.  Oh well.

3. 
   patrick_mccombe | Apr 03, 2012 01:03pm | #13

   Thanks

   I'll try to help out when I can.