Their handles were made of black rubber that smelled like rubber ought to. The warmer the temperature, the more they smelled. In real warm weather the handles went limp like a ripe banana. The light and galvanized reflector were useless for illumination; good only for blinding and burning. The wire reflector cage opened with a tinny squeak. Deluxe models had an accessory electrical outlet near the switch. Plugs fell out as soon as inserted. The hang-hook worked with the reflector to direct the light straight into your eyes or off in a useless direction. I miss trouble lights.
- Thread starter CGID
- Start date
Tony in SD
Well-known Member
Why do you think they called them 'Trouble Lights"
kcm.MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- NW Minnesota
Other than briefly blinding myself now and then, I learned real quick not to touch the metal (something kids aren't allow to learn anymore) and had relatively few problems with them. I guess my biggest problem was it slipping out of my hand and then having to find another bulb.
Deere Scotty
Member
After reading Your message I might be inclined to think You might miss smoking crack cocaine as well. I don't share your desire to have them again; but if You do please consider a lot of LED lights instead of the single bulb. I have one that is about 12 - 14" long lit portion. Craftsman Brand. Doesn't get hot unless left in the sun, no squeak, or cage, & seems to shine evenly top - bottom!
glennster
Well-known Member
i had one that had a cord o matic spring rewinder on it. pull out the cord you needed, yank on it several times to get it to lock, climb on a creeper and then get under a car, all of a sudden, whoosh!!!! the trouble lite takes off winds itself back up on the reel, then blows out yhe light bulb. didnt last too long!!!
Roger in Iowa
Well-known Member
And then there were the ones with the orange "reflector" that put so much light into your eyes you could not see where the light was really shining!
The Craftsman stick with LED's is GREAT.
The Craftsman stick with LED's is GREAT.
Michael Soldan
Well-known Member
You have described trouble lights beautifully !!
Roger in Wisconsin
Member
My dad had one that was about 18" long with a cast aluminum guard and a wooden handle. That baby would give you respect for heat. I have a Snap-on LED with two tubes with rotating shields wow
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Yep, we used to call it "the branding iron"!
Actually set a car on fire with one once. It was laying on the floor, pulled the engine out, the usual gas, oil and antifreeze splatering everywhere...
The antifreeze hit the bulb, broke it, the broken bulb set the gas on fire!
Got it put out before any damage, but sure got my attention!
Do I miss them? NOT!
Actually set a car on fire with one once. It was laying on the floor, pulled the engine out, the usual gas, oil and antifreeze splatering everywhere...
The antifreeze hit the bulb, broke it, the broken bulb set the gas on fire!
Got it put out before any damage, but sure got my attention!
Do I miss them? NOT!
Roger in Wisconsin
Member
The see through plastic was terrible. The only thing worse was when my brother held the light so it shined in my eyes.
Billy Shafer
Well-known Member
But they were good in the winter time. Kept you warm.
Determined
Well-known Member
Despite the long list of why we all hated them, they were good for one thing.
The water line to the house would occasionally freeze up in the well pit at our old place.
Standard procedure was to lower a trouble light down to the bottom of the pit, plug it in and put the cover back in place.
Couple of hours was usually enough to thaw things out.
What I remember most about them was an old one with a two prong cord.
Anytime you were standing in water you would be reminded not to let your hand touch the metal guard by the nasty tingling of 110 volt going up your arm.
The water line to the house would occasionally freeze up in the well pit at our old place.
Standard procedure was to lower a trouble light down to the bottom of the pit, plug it in and put the cover back in place.
Couple of hours was usually enough to thaw things out.
What I remember most about them was an old one with a two prong cord.
Anytime you were standing in water you would be reminded not to let your hand touch the metal guard by the nasty tingling of 110 volt going up your arm.
Phil9N3667
Well-known Member
My adjective was "a BBQ light"!
kcm.MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- NW Minnesota
I now have a Stanley FatMax LED handheld spotlight that'll dang near shine across the whole county! ...Ok, ok that's a bit exaggerated, but it has a lock button and is GREAT for putting light on an engine, even in a dark corner on the brightest of days. Bought it Nov 2014 and it's still going super strong!
Larry EC-OH
Member
You're missing one piece of the description.
They worked perfectly until you needed them most, then the darn things slip out of your hands and break the bulb leaving you in the dark.
At least that's what they did to me every darn time!
Larry
They worked perfectly until you needed them most, then the darn things slip out of your hands and break the bulb leaving you in the dark.
At least that's what they did to me every darn time!
Larry
You forgot the burns from when you came in contact with the hot shield in a tight space.
I don't really miss them, I just wish the Chinese replacement would last longer than the warranty period. I have had 3 from lowes, I put the date on them they went in service and all 3 died about a month out of warranty.
I don't really miss them, I just wish the Chinese replacement would last longer than the warranty period. I have had 3 from lowes, I put the date on them they went in service and all 3 died about a month out of warranty.
kcm.MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- NW Minnesota
Makes me wonder if the investigator didn't just pen down a cause if they couldn't find the real reason. And before anyone says that doesn't happen, it does! We lost our small farmhouse just after getting married. The inspector found out it was due to some recent wiring by a licensed electrician on the last job of his career. He had put so many connections in one junction box that should have been spread across 3 or 4. And some of those connections went to a new whirlpool tub! However, when the "official" report came out, the cause was found to be an extension cord in the basement. ...IT WASN'T EVEN PLUGGED IN!!! Yet, that way he avoided a LOT of paperwork, as well as having to prove the cause, should the electrician deny doing such shody work.
Have heard of many fires started by electrical, as well as oily shop rags, cigarettes, welding/grinding/cutting metals, and many other causes. ...100% caused by gas leaks and dropped shop lights? ARG! (not directed at you 504, but to the insurance adjuster/author!)
Have heard of many fires started by electrical, as well as oily shop rags, cigarettes, welding/grinding/cutting metals, and many other causes. ...100% caused by gas leaks and dropped shop lights? ARG! (not directed at you 504, but to the insurance adjuster/author!)
John Garner
Member
For the same reason they were also called "Drop Lights"!
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