lighted Tools? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

soxfan622 · 03-23-2009, 06:05 PM

I am a general contractor outside Chicago: DMM Construction. My guys have been asking me to supply lighted hand tools for the jobsite: lighted sockets, nut / screw drivers and lighted levels. I am not certain if there is a real need and in today's world would like not to spend the cash if I don't need to. However, if it makes all involved faster and more productive I am all for it.

Has anyone seen these kind of tools or more specifically does anyone have experience with them?

greg24k · 03-23-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxfan622

I am a general contractor outside Chicago: DMM Construction. My guys have been asking me to supply lighted hand tools for the jobsite: lighted sockets, nut / screw drivers and lighted levels. I am not certain if there is a real need and in today's world would like not to spend the cash if I don't need to. However, if it makes all involved faster and more productive I am all for it.

Has anyone seen these kind of tools or more specifically does anyone have experience with them?

Do they spend allot of time working in the dark?

Heritage · 03-23-2009, 06:22 PM

Work lights on a tripod.

The good ones will give 3rd degree burns to anyone within 5'

But lights on tools? I question your employees' sexual orientation

Tinstaafl · 03-23-2009, 06:34 PM

A couple of years ago, I picked up a lighted Stanley torpedo level, and I can vouch for the fact that the light is extremely handy when you're working anywhere but in a very well-lit area.

Unfortunately, the accuracy of the bubble was atrocious, as were all the others in the store when I took it back. I'd buy a good one in a heartbeat.

480sparky · 03-23-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heritage

........
But lights on tools? I question your employees' sexual orientation

I question the gift-selecting abilities of their friends and family.

soxfan622 · 03-23-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg24k

Do they spend allot of time working in the dark?

After the frame is up the wrap and roof on, there is usually a lot of dim areas. Not to mention that the plumbing and electrical still has to go fully in and that is mostly begins or ends in the sub-levels with VERY LITTLE light.

willworkforbeer · 03-23-2009, 09:07 PM

My guess your guys are trying to pull a fast one on you, see if you're dumb to go for it.

A W Smith · 03-23-2009, 09:09 PM

I have a cordless 18 volt lighted flashlight

billy d · 03-23-2009, 09:18 PM

Some of the new impact drivers have lights on the front that come on when you press the trigger.Personally I think there just a gimmick.

RCPainting · 03-23-2009, 09:26 PM

My husband was was trying to find a caulk gun with a light (there is a patent!)
and was watching a fishing show show and saw these
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...11000_100-11-2
They actually work very well, the 5 light are brighter.

willworkforbeer · 03-23-2009, 09:26 PM

The new ProElite digital boardstretcher comes with two lights and a free box of self setting nails. Its only $19.97

480sparky · 03-23-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willworkforbeer

The new ProElite digital boardstretcher comes with two lights and a free box of self setting nails. Its only $19.97

No post holes?!?!?!?

MALCO.New.York · 03-23-2009, 09:32 PM

SIMPLE....

GFYS!

or

Go the Rave way...........(why would I know bout this???)

http://static2.shopify.com/s/files/1...jpg?1237513362

**Gus Dering** · 03-23-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy d

Some of the new impact drivers have lights on the front that come on when you press the trigger.Personally I think there just a gimmick.

I thought the same thing until I bought the Makita arsenal of cordless tools and started using them.
In short order I began to love them. Stick your head in a cabinet and you will be surprised how nice it is to have that light on the drill and or driver.
There are times I use the tool just for the light.
Now I notice how nice it would be on all the tools that don't have one. Like the Bosch jig saw for instance would be nice to have a light to guide the way.
If Stabila came out with a vial that had a light I would take a second look before leaving the store.

Tinstaafl · 03-23-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gus Dering

Stick your head in a cabinet and you will be surprised how nice it is to have that light on the drill and or driver.

Absolutely. I have a couple of Makitas with that feature, and the first time it helps you out, you have to wonder what took them so long. Probably costs a whole $1.97 to incorporate.

TempestV · 03-23-2009, 11:26 PM

Power tools, that already have some sort of power source, I can see it. A light that shines on the blade of a saw and illuminates the line would be handy. Adding lights to hand tools sounds like a bad joke. Buy all your guys good headlamps instead of spending the money to replace your entire hand tool collection. I can attest that Everready makes a good headlamp for a bargain price.

come to think of it, if you must have a socket wrench with a light, Craftsman makes a socket extension that has a light in it that shines through the socket, illuminating everything right up till you put the socket on a bolt and actually use the wrench. Oh, and it probably costs as much as a decent headlamp.

AboveAndBeyond · 03-24-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

SIMPLE....

GFYS!

or

Go the Rave way...........(why would I know bout this???)

http://static2.shopify.com/s/files/1...jpg?1237513362

ok dude, long story short, don't knock it til you try it. i mean those dinky finger lights, for real, a few occasions i was glad to have one on hand.

greg24k · 03-24-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxfan622

After the frame is up the wrap and roof on, there is usually a lot of dim areas. Not to mention that the plumbing and electrical still has to go fully in and that is mostly begins or ends in the sub-levels with VERY LITTLE light.

After frame is up and roof is on, there are not many things need to be leveled. I don't know what your guys do, but a $19 dollar halogen light will light up the whole floor vs. same amount of money you will spend on a tiny torpedo level not to mention a few hundred you will blow on drills with lights features. Tell them to keep theirs eyes open, so they can see what they doing.

dubz · 03-24-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gus Dering

I thought the same thing until I bought the Makita arsenal of cordless tools and started using them.
In short order I began to love them. Stick your head in a cabinet and you will be surprised how nice it is to have that light on the drill and or driver.
There are times I use the tool just for the light.
Now I notice how nice it would be on all the tools that don't have one. Like the Bosch jig saw for instance would be nice to have a light to guide the way.
If Stabila came out with a vial that had a light I would take a second look before leaving the store.

I used another guys corded makita circular saw just the other day that had a little l.e.d. on it. It was pretty sweet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg24k

After frame is up and roof is on, there are not many things need to be leveled.

o rly?