Pianotech

  • 1.  Work light suggestions?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-22-2017 00:33
    Hi all,
    I'm looking for suggestions for a work light:
    -battery powered, LED
    -gooseneck
    -magnetic base strong enough to support it at 90 degrees from the plate 
    -small enough footprint so that it can be placed near the pins or in tight areas

    I'd like to use it for work such as replacing strings in a dark corner of a house (it's always a dark corner when you have to replace a string, isn't it?). So it needs to be flexible and long enough to tilt out and downwards. I do have a headlight which helps, but I'd like something bigger and brighter to fill the area.

    I've seen this but not sure how good it is: 


    Any other suggestions? I haven't seen anything suitable so far at Home Depot et al.

    thanks


  • 2.  RE: Work light suggestions?

    Member
    Posted 07-22-2017 10:45


      There is an LED fixture that I believe I got at Home Depot in the lighting section that may be the ticket. it has an adjustable stand and puts out a ton of light. I have several stand style lights that use Halogen bulbs that run hot and burn out. The bulbs are hard to put in and you need to keep bare hands off them or the oils in your fingers will cause them to fail. Halogens also use lots of current. I have the box and can post a picture of it and the lamp. You will need a good heavy duty extension cord.

    If you are in a place that has no outlets you can go with some very well made portable LED lamps/headsets. I have one that throws off 360 degrees of light and looks like a camping lantern. I also purchased a great headest headset that has rechargeable batteries. It uses a CREE T6 LED and is as bright as a spotlight . It has an ac charger but also can be charged off cigar outlet in my van.

    ------------------------------
    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Work light suggestions?

    Posted 07-23-2017 02:11
    I have an LED called 'PEN SHAPE WORK LIGHT' made in China. It has a 2" LED which gives out a lot of light. It is shaped like a fountain pen and the clip, with an ON/OFF button at the top contains a powerful magnet and swivels 180 deg. so it can adhere to any part of the frame in a piano, swivel the light and bathe a large area with bright light. It uses three 'AAA' batteries which last a long, long time.It is made from ABS so it's strong. A 'stiuck on' label has a number: 
    ZJL61130053BU  [7B46-43-06]  1701142106241007
    The fact that this number ends in '007' may not have anything to do with it. "There again it might be worth Googling it - eh? Q?"
    p.s. I tried googling the middle number - in the square parenthasis - and got amazing results which have nothing to do with it . .
    Michael     UK






  • 4.  RE: Work light suggestions?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-22-2017 11:47
    At Walmart, camping section. $10. 

    ------------------------------
    Benjamin Sanchez
    Professional Piano Services
    (805)315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    BenPianoPro@comcast.net
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Work light suggestions?

    Posted 07-23-2017 10:38
    I use a Koblat light 

    • Flexible hose and swivel head will adapt to almost any situation where lighting is required
    • The light has 4 settings, low intensity beam, high intensity beam, lantern and strobing lantern for emergencies
    • 3.6 volt cordless rechargeable battery included, also comes with a alternate battery pack that holds 3 AA batteries (batteries not included)
    • Magnet allows for hands-free operation on metal surfaces
    • Can be used as a flashlight, spot light, work light or a lantern
    It is great but the cost, $141, may deter a purchase. I paid nothing for it as it was a gift from my roadster car club Christmas party gift exchange raffel three years ago. Google it at Amazon. 

    I also use a clip on aluminum work light with a LED 40W bulb. Those bulbs are great they never put out any heat. The bulb cost $1 and the light $4.25. Just carry and extension cord, which most tuners do.

    I also have a small stand up battery powered light that works when the plug is behind the piano. It takes 3 AA batteries and has 12 little LED lights. I paid 50 cents for it at yard sale.  So many folks seem to have their pianos in dark areas. I always carried two nice heavy brass piano lights to sell to clients but they are both gone as of last month. Now at least their kids can see their piano music to practice. 

    Bob 





  • 6.  RE: Work light suggestions?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-23-2017 11:41
    I found some flashlights similar to these at a business Costco. Went back to buy some more, someone from Alaska had purchased the entire pallet. 

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012DH2KG4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_ajmDzbRXTXRSZ


    They may work for what you want, they are obviously not flexible. I love them for tuning uprights in a dimly lit room. They stick wonderfully to the plate and shine light down where you need it and not in your eyes.

    ------------------------------
    David Stocker
    PNWRVP
    Olympia WA
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Work light suggestions?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-29-2017 12:55
    I just picked up one of the Little Larry LED flashlights at OSH. Boxes of them on every checkout counter. $10. Bright enough that they can momentarily blind you if you accidentally look into one.

    ------------------------------
    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
    ------------------------------