Depending on how cold it gets, you may find the flourescent lights don't work as well. I have a worklight that won't come on completely when it's cold out, and my overhead flourescent lights won't come on completely until the garage is warmed up.

i have done the same thing. good for those spots that you cant get a light near and you wabt to see exactly what your are looking at.

Good one Ed. I actually have a headlamp already but I've never used it when working on my car. I'll give that a try. Thanks.

I should've mentioned I have 5 (or is it 6?) twin flourescent fixtures in the garage...PLUS the halogen pointed at the work space of the moment. What can I say, I like to see what I'm working on (or screwing up is usually more like it.)

Point is that overhead lighting and ideally reflective (white) painted ceiling and walls go a LONG way. If you have a detached garage/shop, I'd think about a well-placed skylight as well.

Since we're sequeing to overhead lights, an advantage of flurescents (besides lower energy costs) is that daylight-balanced tubes are available. This provides better color-rendition and isn't so depressing compared to the regular greenish-blue light from regular tubes.

And as Chris mentions, a well-lit room provides a better working environment.

Sherwood

The halogen worklights I've had have all burned out pretty quickly - after a few months of use. These are the cheap ones you pick up at Home Depot.

The intense radiant heat is also inconvenient in tight quarters. Like when you're wedged under a car and notice that your forearm is cooking or the light is blistering your paint.

I've stopped buying them.