Looking for a nice under hood/under car work light. Something rechargeable with good usable battery life and something that had a diffuser to reduce shadows. Any recommendation's?
Work light
- Thread starter JustDandee
- Start date
Milwaukee M12 ROVER Service and Repair Flood Light with USB Charging
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ood-Light-with-USB-Charging-2367-20/314746266
I have something similar but it’s does not give a broader diffused light. But you made me think about looking at the makita line up(batteries I have). This looks something along the lines of what I was thinking but does not seem to have the best reviews for a $210 light w/o a battery.
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Harbor freight under hood light works fine for me.
I'd buy the Makita but its insane how expensive Teal is getting and it would tie up a battery.
-Mac
I'd buy the Makita but its insane how expensive Teal is getting and it would tie up a battery.
-Mac
Are talking this one or one of the wand style? I have never thought the electrics were of much value from HF. But the ICON line seems to be getting some street cred.
A light bar will do great under the hood but under the vehicle, not so much.
If you went with a light bar under hood, I'd still recommend a the Milwaukee M12 Rover. You can leave it on the floor and use the pivoting head or use the strong magnetic base to stick on any metal available like the frame, under body, fender wells. I stick it on the jack stands quite often. The M12 battery can be charged via USB (unlike most Milwaukee tools) but can also be charged in a Milwaukee charger as usual.
For me it was about having the light output needed, the longest output time and of course light size played a role. After doing my multi-day trip down research lane, the Milwaukee Rover is where I ended up.
Good luck on your hunt!
If you went with a light bar under hood, I'd still recommend a the Milwaukee M12 Rover. You can leave it on the floor and use the pivoting head or use the strong magnetic base to stick on any metal available like the frame, under body, fender wells. I stick it on the jack stands quite often. The M12 battery can be charged via USB (unlike most Milwaukee tools) but can also be charged in a Milwaukee charger as usual.
For me it was about having the light output needed, the longest output time and of course light size played a role. After doing my multi-day trip down research lane, the Milwaukee Rover is where I ended up.
Good luck on your hunt!
I found a plastic LED shop light works pretty good just laying on the ground underneath, although mine is AC only for at home use. I've tried all sorts of stuff topside but found a good head lamp to be the most useful. There are a lot of really good re-chargeable ones out there these days.
Getting a magnetic light to shine where you need it usually involves constant maneuvering. I have a couple magnetic work lights that I made myself using Harbor Freight magnets, they are 120 volt / 12 volt by flipping a switch. I never seem to use them as they are a pain. My NEBO head lamp I use constantly though and looking to add a Fenix head lamp to my collection next, one that goes from spot to flood and maybe one with hand gestures.
The NEBO has a magnet too if you want to stick it somewhere.
I have not seen the Milwaukee Rover before, might check it out.
Getting a magnetic light to shine where you need it usually involves constant maneuvering. I have a couple magnetic work lights that I made myself using Harbor Freight magnets, they are 120 volt / 12 volt by flipping a switch. I never seem to use them as they are a pain. My NEBO head lamp I use constantly though and looking to add a Fenix head lamp to my collection next, one that goes from spot to flood and maybe one with hand gestures.
The NEBO has a magnet too if you want to stick it somewhere.
I have not seen the Milwaukee Rover before, might check it out.
+1 for headlamps.
I'm not a big fan of mounting a light somewhere on the car nearby where you're working. One accidental glance directly at it and now you can't see again. Lots of overhead lights and a headlamp is the way to go IMO
I use a couple of these magnetic lights
Milwaukee Underbody Light
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMKJYQFG?tag=wranglerorg-20
Milwaukee Underbody Light
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMKJYQFG?tag=wranglerorg-20
The closest I ever got to something good underneath besides my shop light is a round plastic tool tray with wheels that came with a battery powered light that sticks to a metal plate on the tool tray and has an adjustable angle. The idea is great but the work light is powered by AA cells and it's not super bright and the batteries wear down pretty fast, not rechargeable. It's made by Mychanic and apparently NLA.
I had a nice makita magnetic light once. Left it magnetically attached to the frame for a test drive for whatever fix was that I did.
It is now magnetically attached somewhere on the side of the road
It is now magnetically attached somewhere on the side of the road
I have one of those. It’s handy but as you said the batteries really kill it.
The Milwaukee I posted above is more useful, longer lasting and brighter.
I haven’t used in the garage so didn’t want to recommend it but my new M18 rocket light seems to have a lot of potential, would work well for above ground work. Runs both M18 and can be plugged in to an extension cord.
I have a few of these little Rovers as a general stick anywhere light.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...-USB-Pivoting-Flood-Light-2114-21XX/306261521
This is a very good light for automotive work. At some point I will buy a second one.
My new favorite is this small M18 because of how compact it is. Folded up by itself, it is about as big as a 5ah battery...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...with-USB-Charging-Tool-Only-2359-20/330544523
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...with-USB-Charging-Tool-Only-2359-20/330544523
One thing that needs to be mentioned is that the color temperature of Milwaukee lights is very comfortable to look through.
WestCoastDan
TJ Addict
I have this one from Milwaukee:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...mpact-Flood-Light-Tool-Only-2364-20/300157982
And it's basically a useless piece of shit.
Sure, it puts out quite a bit of light, but the angle of the light is ALWAYS wrong. The magnetic base & the "clamp" are pointless, providing no ability to direct light where you want it.
If this hadn't been included in a "kit" with other pieces, I think they would have only sold 1 of them.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...mpact-Flood-Light-Tool-Only-2364-20/300157982
And it's basically a useless piece of shit.
Sure, it puts out quite a bit of light, but the angle of the light is ALWAYS wrong. The magnetic base & the "clamp" are pointless, providing no ability to direct light where you want it.
If this hadn't been included in a "kit" with other pieces, I think they would have only sold 1 of them.
I have like a 1/2 dozen makita batteries, thanks to my son going down the Milwaukee path. Thinking on what I need is a diffused light and ironically I have thrown a led shop light under the car before which works well but that light got repurposed over my new bench.
I got too looking at this styrofoam cup I had and a light bulb went off….
Cup is too small but what if I…. Now I am waiting for my wife to finish the white plastic cottage cheese container..
Still keep the ideas coming
That was a frustrating light to use. Things have gotten a lot better in the last ten years
WestCoastDan
TJ Addict
That was a frustrating light to use. Things have gotten a lot better in the last ten years
Not for me they haven't!
I did buy one of these though a few years ago.
It's far better than the Milwaukee light, but it still isn't that great.
I recently decided to give the headlamp option a try and bought a couple of these:
Not for me they haven't!
I did buy one of these though a few years ago.
View attachment 585396
It's far better than the Milwaukee light, but it still isn't that great.
I recently decided to give the headlamp option a try and bought a couple of these:
View attachment 585401
Stop buying frustrating lights. That includes headlamps.
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