DIY LED Work Light (much better than halogen!)

BlueBeast14GT said:
Where did you get the rubber washers, and what size did you use?
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hmm, i got them at my local Ace hardware store. in the hardware drawers. they were a few cents a piece. i don't recall the size but you'll know when you see them imo.
 
builthatch said:
hmm, i got them at my local Ace hardware store. in the hardware drawers. they were a few cents a piece. i don't recall the size but you'll know when you see them imo.
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Okay, cool. The mount just arrived yesterday, so I'll probably take that with me. Good call on the washers!

I tried to buy the 2200 lumen 5000k Polaroid bulbs that hernandez.art13 recommended. I had the page open, made my post here, and when I went to buy them they had just sold out! :cry:
 
I purchased my washers at ACE as well. Found out the hard way that metal ones don't work since they don't offer any grip! I did three washers total on each side.
 
Some have asked about durability and life of the LEDS. The set up I have had in service for almost 4 years has ha 1 failure. Upon inspection some wires that were crimped factory came loose in the all in one housing and shorted. Bulbs were still good. Others all in one is still going. This truly makes Zach's build more serviceable and a great investment. The only part to break would be in the bulb. Looking foward to hearing the life span as just now converting to the screw in style. Still much better than the 2-3week failure of the halogens which I still use.
 
Here's my setup, thanks Zach!

Giotto's LC 244 lightstand- air cushioned
Polaroid 5k daylight bulbs- LED

Manfrotto swivel mount

In action (please excuse dirty car)
 
Great thread but I don't have a garage and I polish in the shade of course but I really can't see swirls, scratches or other defects with either the Flex light or Rupes Pen Light. Of course, I could continually move it back and forth in the sun (assuming a sunny day) but I just don't have that much time unfortunately being a weekend warrior.

So I was thinking I wouldn't buy the stand and just plug it in the bulb in the holder and inspect and then unplug it. I have a black Lexus and I can't see the swirls (which are minimal btw) but I am looking to get it show car if possible.

Here is what I was thinking:

Polaroid Lighting PLPAR38W-150.2200.30.2D
Fancierstudio E27 Bulb Holder Socket Flash Umbrella Swivel Bracket Photo Light Lamp

I would just hold the bracket by hand, inspect and put down. I would need an extension cord to plug it in. Would this work? If not, any other recommendations.

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions.
 
You're going to struggle in any outdoor environment due to the bright ambient light (even in the shade) compared to an indoor environment with much less ambient light.

These higher powered lights will surely do better than a typical pen light/flash light, however if you want to really examine the paint it is often best to do it in the dark if you're outdoors. That way you don't have to compete with ambient light.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
wow!! now that is a lot of light.
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Yes indeed. I don't think I'll ever use the 8 bulbs all at once during correction work since it is way too bright. More like 4 bulbs at once is manageable. Either 4 horizontal or 4 vertical.

mbpress01 said:
Great thread but I don't have a garage and I polish in the shade of course but I really can't see swirls, scratches or other defects with either the Flex light or Rupes Pen Light. Of course, I could continually move it back and forth in the sun (assuming a sunny day) but I just don't have that much time unfortunately being a weekend warrior.

So I was thinking I wouldn't buy the stand and just plug it in the bulb in the holder and inspect and then unplug it. I have a black Lexus and I can't see the swirls (which are minimal btw) but I am looking to get it show car if possible.

Here is what I was thinking:

Polaroid Lighting PLPAR38W-150.2200.30.2D
Fancierstudio E27 Bulb Holder Socket Flash Umbrella Swivel Bracket Photo Light Lamp

I would just hold the bracket by hand, inspect and put down. I would need an extension cord to plug it in. Would this work? If not, any other recommendations.

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions.
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All good choices as far as the materials go. But I would at least purchase one stand or even a 6' tripod with built in swivel head (no need to order the separate umbrella swivel) and a bracket (HDE from amazon) to mount it. Honestly without a stand it's gonna get tiring going back and forth holding and setting the light down. And these Polaroid 5k bulbs will show even the slightest of swirls guaranteed. Your work will step up a notch or two because of these bulbs.
 
B18c Tuner how did you mount the light holders to the legs of the light stand? I have clamps that I can use to move the lights around but the mount would be sideways if I placed it on the leg.
 
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Got a steal on some new light stands.... took these lights to a whole new level.

These Studio Titan Sidekick stands were being sold by a local studio on craigslist for $150 for a set of 3... they retail for ~$200 each. These things are monsters... 7' tall, 3' base with locking casters. The easily adjustable light mount is awesome and can hold a ton of weight... no doubt a HUGE upgrade, but certainly at a premium price.

I will likely do an updated thread with some other upgrades that I have made to these lights over time.

Glad to see this type of setup being used in so many shops throughout the world though :)

-Zach
 
Wow what a find! Thanks again, Zach, I use my LEDs every time I'm in the garage. I'm doing a garage makeover now and replacing the two centrally-mounted eight-foot twin T12 strips with 16 -- sixteen! -- four-foot twin T8 LED strips. But the spotlights will still be used every detail!
 
Wow those looks great.

I would love to switch, but HDX halogens 500x2 watt lights with stands are $34 at Depot. Is there a way to retro-fit just the LED units to the stands?
 
The original lights posted are very hard to find, if found out all. Any suggestions on a different bulb to use?
 
Boejoula said:
The original lights posted are very hard to find, if found out all. Any suggestions on a different bulb to use?
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I believe they were discontinued.

Any par38 bulb with similar specs will be just fine. There are tons of online retailers who have comparable or even superior options.
 
Hi new to this led lighting build.

I read that the light bulb was heavy and will cause the stand to fall as well as the light to tilt pointing down over time.

Besides ankle weight for the stand's base to keep the stand from falling, any fix for the tilting down of the light?
 
Yes, you can add washers for a quick solution to add more clamping force.

Eventually I'll post an updated thread on how to improve the bulb holders... Haven't gotten around to it, but a quick trip to the hardware store is all that is needed.

And fwiw I've never knocked a stand over, and I don't use weights. Just be aware of your surroundings.
 
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