Garage floor and hood work lighting recommendations?

[theblackangus]

Hello all!
My bronco arrived yesterday so I spent the morning adding the initial "Welcome home" items. (Grab handles, hood struts, various stickers, etc)

I quickly came to the conclusion that I need to get a newer brighter (and taller!) floor light and something that will attach to the hood for direct lighting.

I know there are alot of wrenchers here so help me find something that will be good for work and detailing.

While I tend toward low cost but good, I am open to the "Buy this once, its a little more expensive but very high quality" approach too.
Battery options, direct power is not optional!

Appreciate the input from everyone

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[Ramble_Offroad]

I have this Husky rechargeable light. It’s plenty bright but the battery has its limits for multi-hour / all day projects.

it’s affordable, for the money I may pick up another one so I can swap it out when the battery dies.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Husky...MIrICp4pqSjwMVVgO8AR0kDhhSEAQYCCABEgLVN_D_BwE

 

[Snacktime]

I got one of these that's got to be 10+ years old. Pretty much the best thing since I can plug in power tools when needed. Haven't fixed my garage florescent lights it's been so handy.

 

[ejaffe]

I have two of these and they work great. Sometimes a little too bright. Magnet works well however there is a lot of aluminum and plastic in the Bronco so not a reliable way to hold them in place.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1000-Lumens-LED-Portable-Work-Light-LG302C-10W1/320259663

 

[Whiskey Bizness]

This has been my go-to light for years. It's taken a lot of abuse and still works great.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...on-Battery-and-Charger-R8694620KSBN/314003913

 

[87 BAJA]

Go with the Milwaukee M12 under hood light I have it and use it when ever working under the hood also can be used as a giant under car light as well by simply removing from carrier. Makes it like day light under the hood.

 

[HoustonPSD]

I have been using this for the last few years. The bar holds two lights and the lights are adjustable and removable. I have used them under the hood, inside vehicles and under vehicles. Catch them on sale and it is a pretty nice setup.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brand...in-extendable-underhood-floodlight-58990.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/brand...-magnetic-compact-floodlight-black-59170.html

 

[Brian_B]

I got CAT branded portable lights for Christmas one year. They are bright when you first get them but the internal batteries aren’t replaceable and go to crap after about a year. Avoid them.

https://shopcaterpillar.com/products/led-work-light

 

[helifino16]

Amazon has this light. It appears to magnetically attach and is wireless/rechargeable. This is a bit more 'affordable' than the Milwaukee option.

 

[87 BAJA]

All in all its what do you want and what fits your needs and budget, but I have gone with the cheep route before and you get what you pay for.

 

[CalvinT]

I got CAT branded portable lights for Christmas one year. They are bright when you first get them but the internal batteries aren’t replaceable and go to crap after about a year. Avoid them.

https://shopcaterpillar.com/products/led-work-light

Great advice.!

As a general policy I won't buy anything where the batteries aren't replaceable for exactly that reason. All those products are disposable. Also most are made to a price point which means they're usually cheap batteries.

I will buy a cell phone where I can't replace the battery. I expect to replace one every few years due to advances(?) in technology. Also they come with higher quality batteries.

 

[Rumbloki]

I use this one because it runs on the same batteries as my power tools and landscaping tools. I also have plug-in tripod LED lights.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-...Rechargeable-Power-Tool-Flashlight/1000812922

 

[Brian_B]

Most of my tools are Milwaukee but their lights are crazy expensive. Will probably see if I can snag one next time they are doing a “free tool or battery” promotion though

 

[Whiskey Bizness]

Go with the Milwaukee M12 under hood light I have it and use it when ever working under the hood also can be used as a giant under car light as well by simply removing from carrier. Makes it like day light under the hood.

That's the stuff right there. I bought a crappy Craftsman version of this a few years ago before this one came out. 100% would rather have the Milwaukee.

 

[theblackangus]

Wow!
Thanks for all the responses...
I appreciate the warnings (I was looking at a cat light).
I wish that Milwaukee never came up....must not buy.... must not buy.... well...
But seriously I didnt know those existed and that is awesome.

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