Inspection Lamps/Torches

[philward]

One of the things that I find very frustrating when working on my bikes (particularly in winter when I can't wheel the bikes out onto the drive to work on them) is 'shadows' cast in the area from the garage lights exactly on the area of the bike where I am working.
I've tried a variety of lamps/lights/torches - magnetic, flexible and clip on, etc but never really solved the problem.
Whats your recommendations? (as Christmas is comomg - and link to that Christmas present thread)
Thanks
Phil

[Skoti]

Phil,

you may want to start by replacing your garage lights with LED strip lamps.

I bought some on fleabay and after fitting them my garage is as bright as an operating theatre, good saving on energy compared to the old lights as well...

Hope this enlightens you!

Skoti

 

[philward]

Thanks Skoti - I have 3 x 1800mm double tube lights in my 10m x 2m garage that provides loads of overall light, its working 'in or under' the bike where I struggle. Its more to do with a light that I can clip on somewhere or a decent 'head torch'?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I replaced all of my old twin tube 6 ft florescents with a similar number of  twin LED 5 ft LED's they put out about three times the Lunatics of very high frequency bright white light. I mean Lumens of course but lunatics reflects the conversion cost. Not that much cheaper to run than florescent so payback time will be about 10 years when they are buggered- good news is they keep on coming down in cost!

I have found the LED lead lamps do not work very well - I have a small Maglite  with an LED bulb conversion to find dropped nuts etc. Another thing I have found is that the lights need to be mounted high and double banked to avoid shadows. You get what you pay for in terms of good light diffusion and design - I have found the wider LED layout better than the half round design of some cheaper arrays. Knightsbridge are excellent but pricey so they are only in  our house!

imho

[philward]

Thanks Ted. I need something that allows me to use both hands - so I think (as I've tried clip on/magnetic), I'll look at a decent head torch

[rosco]

Hi Phil
         Deffo on upgrading strip lights to LED it makes a great difference More like daylight  I also use a LED headlight allowing hands free The one i use is a Runacc 7 led with 1700 lumens Which is very bright  There is one on e bay at the moment @£13ish It works for me   Cheers Ross

[K2-K6]

Using these for impromptu lighting with sometimes difficult access https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Magnetic-Wardrobe-Off-Portable-Cordless/dp/B072VR7Y5S?th=1 certainly not a whole answer but very effective in many situations as they have a broad soft light direction that you can get into awkward places. Only 4mm ish thick to let you place them into or around what you are working on, relatively inexpensive to give you additional light.

They just seem much more effective than most torches, but obviously it's not what they're sold for.

Edit, it's not that one but I'll get a link and update soon.

This one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Lighting-Rechargeable-Induction-Nightlight/dp/B07SSY69RJ about 9mm thick.

[Laverdaroo]

Get yer self some small 24"LED strips but have them on a cable rather than mounted then you can move them around as and when you need them. I have a clip under the bench to hang mine on and when I need them place them appropriately. They're virtually indistructable and can be put anywhere. I think you can even get battery/chrgable ones now but under the bike they're brilliant and more than powerful for what you need to do. Alternativly mount your lights on the side of the shed rather than the ceiling, no shadows and if you've lights up top, you'll be sorted!

[philward]

Never thought of the last 2 solutions - I'll have a look
Thanks

[Moorey]

 The reason we wore lamps on our heads at the pit was it left both hands free and the light shines were you look. Head/Cap lamps cheap
  and good on batteries. In fact the one I use most is very small and came free with a bike battery.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

 The reason we wore lamps on our heads at the pit was it left both hands free and the light shines were you look. Head/Cap lamps cheap
  and good on batteries. In fact the one I use most is very small and came free with a bike battery.

Don't let the missus catch you wearing one though she might get the wrong idea about what you are up to in the shed.

[Laverdaroo]

She'll know anyway Ted, no question.

[Moorey]

 

    Everybody should have a hobby. 

[Laverdaroo]

 

    Everybody should have a hobby. 

Absolutely

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

 

    Everybody should have a hobby. 

Never had you down as a retired Gynecologist Moorey.