DIY LED Work Light (much better than halogen!)

All thanks to Zach. I love this setup. Works well on light color vehicles too.
 
^ nice dude.

tonight i pulled the trigger, FINALLY.

i decided on a higher quality stand that goes pretty high if necessary - was really considering a boom but decided there's no need for me to have one. i always used halogens off to the side for flats and never had an issue. will only be more effective using LEDs but in the same position. plus less to go wrong vs. mobile lighting setup hanging over a car (or too close).

Giottos LC244 8' 3-Section Air-cushioned Light Stand

and i got one of these because it is has rubber on both sides of what clamps onto whatever...plus it was cheaper than the other.

HDE Photography Studio Mount C Clamp 1/4" Screw

and of course i picked up two of these:

Fancierstudio Double AC Flash Light Stand Swivel Mount
 
JSou said:
All thanks to Zach. I love this setup. Works well on light color vehicles too.
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This is EXACTLY the setup I plan on going with. Thanks for posting this up! If you can PM me any tips, links, or additions you would add I'd REALLY appreciate it.
 
Kappy said:
That's the same swivel mount that I have, and I can't make it tight enough to maintain the angle. It seemed to be okay when I first got it but the weight of the bulbs makes it tilt even when I want it straight. Several of the reviews on Amazon mention the same problem.
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Adding some rubber spacers/washers increases the clamping force and helps to hold the lights in place.
 
This lamp will drive you nuts...you see things that dont exist..car will be flawless but ... Dam it shows problems
 
Corey@OptimalDetailing said:
This is EXACTLY the setup I plan on going with. Thanks for posting this up! If you can PM me any tips, links, or additions you would add I'd REALLY appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Sure. I got mostly all of the parts from the links recommended in this thread.

The bulbs are Par38 Daylight bulbs you can grab from Amazon or your local home depot/Lowes.
 
JSou, would it be possible to post the exact links as I am interested in your exact setup as well!
 
here is the HDE clamp that arrived today. it looked like the other clamp didn't have rubber on both sides so i got this. it was cheaper too.

2l9glxe.jpg
 
It I were to go with a set of lower lights like JSou's set up insourcing need 2 of these clamps right?
 
B18c_tuner said:
It I were to go with a set of lower lights like JSou's set up insourcing need 2 of these clamps right?
Click to expand...

just one for that setup.

the stand will have a default spot up top for one pair and the clamp will go on the bottom for the other (lower) pair.
 
all of my stuff finally came in and i need to get the LED bulbs now.

i'm going to check both HD and Lowes and see what's doin'.
 
i went to the stores and looked online for bulbs. to get a single diode bulb or one that at least projects like one that matches the specs of the older Utilitech bulbs (that are now discontinued), your options are few, at least through Amazon, HD and Lowes.

HD has two house brand PAR 38 5000k bulbs that are like 1100 lumens (29.97) and 1300 lumens (33.97) - both have a five year warranty.

Lowes has Sylvania that are 1050 (26.98) and 1300 lumens (33.98) - both of these also have a five year warranty.

they also have a 1000 lumen daylight Utilitech (19.99) however it wasn't available at any of the local stores and you can't get it shipped to home...but i think you can get it shipped to the store for pickup. not sure. (edit: i just tried to add them to my cart and it says there is an issue with current availability and then it will only let me order one since my local store only has one and the other has zero in stock. i'll keep my eyes on stock levels as time goes on...or i might pick that one up and try it anyway.)

so i got one of each of the Sylvanias. as it turns out, i can't tell enough of a difference to warrant getting the 1300 lumen piece for $7 more. i am slightly intrigued by the 1000 lumen units that have to be ordered, so i might get those (edit: see red above). not sure. i will say that the 1050 lumen Sylvanias are perfectly fine so no matter what, i'm returning the 1300 lumen piece.

standbulb_zps0ea5085d.jpg


since i only have two bulbs right now, i didn't set up the second dual light mount yet.

i mentioned before i got the Giottos air stand. it extends super high...def high enough to provide ample light on any vehicle i'd ever work on.

standtall_zps3f398d71.jpg

standroof_zps2749d515.jpg

standlabel_zps2687f204.jpg


build quality seems excellent. i was actually surprised - i expected it to be way less sturdy.

here are some other random pics of it lit up. nothing of particular use here.

standfender2_zps80b76c01.jpg

standfender_zpsd3008436.jpg

standhoodhigh2_zps37a878d2.jpg

standhoodhigh_zps3a96418a.jpg

standhood_zpsa3d87573.jpg


Zach's point about rubber washers is important. another thing i noticed is that when the bulbs are side by side on this mount, they slightly touch each other. this isn't a huge issue, but it does put a little lateral pressure on the fixtures. so...i'm going to not only add rubber washers, but i'm going to space it out a bit with some combination of metal washers and maybe a lock washer or two between metal washers. i have to think about the exact combo of parts but that will kill two birds with one stone: make the swivel more secure and space the bulbs out a bit from each other. the way everything is put together lends itself to adding parts like washers and such. i also noticed when i took the main dual fixture apart to study it, there are these tiny screws randomly screwed into the ribbed portion of the actual light base. you'll understand they they are there if you take it apart. i'm mentioning because one of the screws was super duper loose and sticking out more than the other base, so i put some red Loctite on it and tightened it down instead of starting a new hole.
 
SameGuy said:
The Sylvania 1300s is what I went with, crazy bright.
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yeah they are bright as heck. but so are the 1050s! i could barely detect a difference in the garage.

if this works out as planned, i might add a third head w/ clamp for the lowest part of the upright. so i'll have two bulbs up top, two in the middle and two on a leg for wheels/rockers/bumpers. this way i can not only use this for corrections in the garage, but i can finally do full washes outside at night and truly see what i'm doing. a headlamp is cool but six of these LED lamps will not let anything hide. that will make things SO much easier.
 
builthatch said:
Zach's point about rubber washers is important. another thing i noticed is that when the bulbs are side by side on this mount, they slightly touch each other. this isn't a huge issue, but it does put a little lateral pressure on the fixtures. so...i'm going to not only add rubber washers, but i'm going to space it out a bit with some combination of metal washers and maybe a lock washer or two between metal washers. i have to think about the exact combo of parts but that will kill two birds with one stone: make the swivel more secure and space the bulbs out a bit from each other. the way everything is put together lends itself to adding parts like washers and such. i also noticed when i took the main dual fixture apart to study it, there are these tiny screws randomly screwed into the ribbed portion of the actual light base. you'll understand they they are there if you take it apart. i'm mentioning because one of the screws was super duper loose and sticking out more than the other base, so i put some red Loctite on it and tightened it down instead of starting a new hole.
Click to expand...
I tried to modify the clamp with some washers I already had, but I'll need to try again with thinner ones because the main threaded rod that goes through the clamp assembly doesn't offer much extra space. I'll be interested in seeing your improvements. And stealing your ideas. :laughing:

It's too bad you aren't able to purchase the original Utilitech bulbs because they will fit side by side without touching.
 
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