When investing in quality work lighting for work sites, callouts, construction, and roadworks there are several functions you need to take into account and want your light to do.
Durability
When you invest in work lights you expect them to be very durable, you need them to be durable because you will concisely be lifting them from your work van to a work site or work callout. When operating them outside at work locations you want them to withstand harsh weather conditions including the wind & rain and still be able to perform to their max.
Waterproof
When investing in lighting they must be waterproof especial the way the climate is in Ireland, you can get all four seasons in one day!
As well as being weatherproof you also need your light to be dustproof
Long-Lasting
After purchasing your work lighting you expect that it will perform to its max and last you a long time and that you will get value for money. Well-renowned lighting brands include Milwaukee, Draper, and Sealey. If you look after your lighting equipment correctly like you do your power tools then you shouldn’t have to worry.
Correct Lumens
A commonly asked question when it comes to work lighting is, How many lumens is a good work light? This all depends on the type of light you are using. For handheld lighting, you would be looking for between 300 – 600 lumens. For standing flood lights and tripod lighting a good range of lumens would be between 5,000 – 9,000 lumens offering them a flexible range that they can offer.
Power Source
Depending on the power available to you on a job might depend on the type of lighting you go with. On remote Jobsite, you will probably be better off going with battery-powered lighting, this way you don’t need to worry about sourcing electricity or worrying about a generator. It’s important when working with battery-powered lighting that the run time on the battery is long enough that you can get your work done and secondly that the battery you use for your lighting equipment is also compatible with your power tools. Eg. Using Milwaukee M18 lighting equipment and M18 power tools. This will reduce the number of batteries or chargers you need to bring onsite.
When working in a workshop you might find that corded lighting works best for you as you will be near a plug point. Saying that another advantage of cordless lighting is that you have a light up close to you when working you don’t need to worry about any cables getting in your way.
Type of Bulb
When choosing your lighting the type of bulb it takes will depend if you want to purchase it. LED lights are the most popular, LED lights are very energy efficient that can save you a lot of money in the long run. Other types of light bulbs include Incandescent bulbs, fluorescent light or colour lighting.
Types of Work Lighting
When shopping for the right work or site lighting for you, it’s important to think to yourself about what type of lighting you need. The different types of work lighting include handheld lamps, LED head torches, floodlighting, tripod lighting, inspection lights and colour match lighting. All quality items offer you great options.
Handheld
Handheld lights & torches are great when you need to inspect work. Handheld lights are small which makes them very suitable for those small narrow areas you need to inspect either on a job site or a mechanic under the bonnet in a garage. They allow you to shine a light on the exact place and help you solve the issue or point out the area that needs fixing. Ideally, you would want your handheld light to be adjustable so you can have a better vision of the area. When investing in a handheld lamp the option of a magnetic base is a life changer. This way you can attach the bottom to a metal bar or panel and free up both your hands to do the work required.
Head Torch
Head Torches are suitable when working in dark and narrow places. The advantage of a head torch over a handheld is that you still have two hands-free to do your work. Working and holding a handheld can be tricky. Also as your head torch is strapped well to your head you won’t need to worry about the light falling. Head torches are very popular with handymen or tradespeople including electricians, mechanics and plumbers.
Work Floodlights
Floodlights are very important on the job site. Workers must have clear visibility when on-site as will reduce accidents. Having quality floodlights will enable the workers to do their job accurately and more efferently. Floodlights would cover a larger area of space than your tripod lighting so LED lighting would be used in most floodlights to improve the standard of light and to have on energy.
Tripod Work Lighting
Tripod Lighting is great when working on-site during times of poor visibility. Tripod lights are very durable and weatherproof. They help provide you with more light from above standing on the sturdy light stand. Tripod lighting is powerful so it is suitable for job sites so it will really improve your visibility and help you carry out your work in a safer environment. Tripod lights are suitable for outdoor job sites but are also as beneficial when carrying out indoor decorative jobs or renovations when no power is available.
Colour Match Lights
These lights are great when working in garages or body repair shops. The colour light helps to easily identify any defective colours and scratches that you could miss with the naked eye.
Our Top 5 Recommend Lighting Equipment
This cordless Milwaukee tower light can be powered by any M18 battery that is compatible with the Milwaukee M18 collection. Twelve high-performance LED bulbs help this model fllod light ( 2000 lumens) into an area on its high light output setting. This is brighter than 250 Watt halogen. A robust, impact-resistant head means this model is tougher than your average rocket light. It has an adjustable lens that can be rotated 230° vertically and pivoted 240° horizontally. This lens is constructed from highly durable polycarbonate. Like any good tripod light, the Milwaukee M18SAL can be collapsed for storage and/or transport. A protective guard secures the head and lens to keep it from accidental damage.
2) SEALEY RECHARGEABLE PORTABLE FLOODLIGHT 30SMD LED LITHIUM-ION LED109C
Portable floodlight with adjustable head, housed within a stable steel frame. Features 30 super bright SMD LEDs, giving a full 120° spread of light. Weatherproof design with an on/off rocker switch and two light settings. Built-in 7.4V 4Ah Lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Supplied with a UK plug, mains charger and 12V in-car charger. Suitable for lighting workshops, garages and other environments where no mains supply is available.
3) MILWAUKEE M18 TRADESMAN AREA LIGHT M18TAL-0
This Milwaukee M18 True-View Area Light produces up to 2200 Lumens giving High Light Output for working. TRUEVIEW™ high definition lighting with 2,200 lumens of light output in Area mode and 1,000 lumens in Flood mode Advanced LED technology provides 360° of area light, while an independent array of LEDs on the side provide 90° of task lighting Compact design allows for one-handed transport on the job site, with a built-in carry handle Impact polycarbonate lens design that is impact and chemical resistant, delivering superior impact durability Equipped with a 10.8 cm self-centring metal hook, users can hang the light overhead on studs and piping.
4) DRAPER COB/SMD LED SLIMLINE INSPECTION LAMP 7W 98348
7-watt, COB LED inspection lamp with an SMD LED torch built into the pivoting and swivelling head allowing the light to be used in any 360° position. Fitted with a dimming function delivering a light output of between 70 and 700 lumens, a power indicator, a convenient magnetic base and a hook for hands-free use. The Micro USB charger provides up to 15 hours of continuous use with a four-hour charging time.
5) MILWAUKEE M18 18V LED TORCH WORK LIGHT (BODY ONLY) M18TLED-0
The 160 Lumen LED light is 2x brighter and whiter than conventional incandescent bulbs. M18™ LED electronics to deliver 2x longer run time on a single charge with less heat. The sealed aluminium head is designed for impact and weather-resistant durability. 135° rotating head allows the user to easily direct the light beam at the desired work area. The flexible battery system works with all Milwaukee M18™ batteries. 29 hours Max. run time with M18 B5 battery.
