Are halogen work lights dangerous?

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
Thanks all. No halogen for me then. I'll look for a twin flourescent work light instead.

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.

[teenerted1]

Originally posted by EdT82SC
light. When under the car I use a LED headlamp. It runs off two AAA batteries, and shines decent light wherever I look. I don't have to move my work light around when I move, or have a hand used for holdinga flashlight. I picked it up at REI for $30, and I love it. Works great for reading a book on a camping trip too.

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.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by EdT82SC
I used to have an incandescent bulb in my work light until I melted my shift knob while re-installing my pedal cluster. Now I have a compact flourescent bulb in my cheap cone style work light. When under the car I use a LED headlamp. It runs off two AAA batteries, and shines decent light wherever I look. I don't have to move my work light around when I move, or have a hand used for holdinga flashlight. I picked it up at REI for $30, and I love it. Works great for reading a book on a camping trip too.

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.

[campbellcj]

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.

[911pcars]

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

[jyl]

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.