Embarking on a do-it-yourself project at home often comes with a time estimate, but reality may prove otherwise. Issues like missing tools, running out of supplies, lack of expertise, and an overly optimistic view of task durations can lead to delays. This phenomenon is commonly known as the Planning fallacy.
A DIY paint job that seems quick may stretch into hours, while weekend renovation plans could have you working late on Sunday to finish before the workweek begins. It's a reminder that home improvement projects often take more time and effort than initially anticipated.
In cases like this, where you have to work well beyond sunset, you may need to have a portable work light source on hand to let you work at night. If you're in the middle of paying for a DIY project, you may not have the biggest budget to add lighting to help you finish things up. Fortunately, we recommend a high-quality, free-standing portable work light you can use that costs less than $10 at Home Depot. These are the pros and cons of the Handy Brite Ultra-Bright LED 8.35 inch Yellow Cordless Work Light Lamp.
Benefits of the Handy Bright LED work light lamp
When you are working on a DIY project, you want to be able to keep both hands free to position the light in the right spot to help you clearly see what you are doing. The Handy Brite work light can stand on its own or hang from its swivel hook, leaving both of your hands free to hold your hammer and nail or power drill. (This is a significant advantage over using the flashlight on your smartphone.) It even has a magnetic base that helps hold it in place when you are working hands-free.
The bright LEDs in this work light create 500 lumens, which would be equivalent to the light output for a high-quality reading light. This means you can use it for close-up work in your DIY project successfully. It's even bright enough to use in an emergency if you are having a power outage. It does operate from three AA batteries, rather than from a rechargeable battery, so you may have some increased operational costs if you use it quite often.
Advantages of LED work lights
The real reason LEDs are better than regular light bulbs, especially in a work light situation, is that they do not produce extra heat. About 90% of the energy an incandescent bulb uses becomes heat, rather than light. The number is about 80% for a fluorescent bulb. LEDs generate almost no heat while creating light. If your DIY project is occurring in a tight space or if you're working with materials that may suffer damage when exposed to heat (like paint), having a work light that minimizes heat is extremely helpful.
When it comes to work lights, using LEDs offers further advantages. It uses less energy than other styles of work lights, which makes a battery-powered LED a smart alternative. You don't have to maneuver around a cord from the unit either. LED also should give you a long lifespan, sometimes as much as 50,000 hours of operation. This allows you to save money, because you won't need to replace the unit as often.
Benefits of LED Technology for DIY Projects
If you are embarking on a do-it-yourself project that will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as bad weather, varying temperatures, or significant vibrations, consider using LED technology. Unlike other lighting designs, LEDs are built to withstand a lot without experiencing performance loss.
For example, fluorescent bulbs may struggle to reach full brightness in cold weather, while the filaments of incandescent bulbs could break under significant vibration. In contrast, LEDs are resilient and can maintain their performance even in extreme conditions.
While no product is perfect, the Handy Brite LED light stands out for its durability and reliability, making it a great choice for DIY projects that require lighting in challenging environments.
