Trouble Lights for Cheapskates Like Me

[glemon]

I don't like to spend money if I don't have to, and have been at war with trouble lights for most of my 30 plus years of working on cars.

The regular incandescent ones most of us used for years have issues, you need to use a special bulb or the filament breaks, and they can get really hot, I think I have a permanent scar or two.

So I tried the cheap flourescent tube lights, they didn't seem to last all that long, and the replacement bulbs cost as much as a new light or almost, and are hard to find.

So I went back to incandescent, tried a cheap plastic one (instead of the old metal one) so I wouldn't burn myself, the 75 watt bulb started to melt the thing.

Looked for a lower wattage knockabout bulb, just about gave up...then it hit me or I saw one or something, to make a really bad joke a light bulb went off.

I saw a two pack of appliance (oven, refrigerator, etc. bulb.

They are easy to find, cheaper than a rough service bulb, are also built with a strong filement, and at the low wattage they don't get nearly as hot, you could probably still burn yourself on one, but you would have to work at it a little for it to be a bad one. Still provides plenty of light for under car or hood work, doesn't blind you though if it shines right in your eyes.

Not exactly earth shattering, but a happy garage find for a cheapskate tinkerer like me.

 

[Banjo]

As soon ad florescent trouble lights came out I never went back to incandescents. Mainly for the reasons you stated. The most durable florescent light I ever used was the brand "Bounce light" It held up to all kinds of abuse.
But then I discovered rechargeable cordless LED trouble lights, and never went back to the florescents.
BUT..... Those don't align very well with your Yankee ingenuity. I like your thinkin'. I never would have thought of an oven bulb.

 

[TomMull]

I'd try an oven bulb but the only one I have is in the oven (might have an issue if I took it out.) I do have a bunch of 23 watt energy savers so put one in a few months ago. I've dropped it more times than I can count and have not yet had to change it.
Tom

 

[JodyFKerr]

I've had one of those compact flourescent bulbs in my vitamin d light for a few years now. It's been plenty abused with no problems.don't know if it makes a difference, but I believe I picked up the bulb at Ikea.