DIY LED Work Light - Enhanced 'Pro' Version

[zmcgovern45]

We get a lot of questions about the exact equipment we are using for these lights, so here is the information.....



Products
Manfrotto 231 CS Light Stand - $272.88 ** (link)
Manfrotto 231ARM Hand Grip - $38.99 (link)
Neewer Double Lamp Socket (2 pack) - $14.99 (link)
Torchstar 18W 5000k LED Bulbs (4 pack) - $42.51 (link)

Just 72 Watt Power, but 4800 Lumen output per stand (4 bulbs)

**If you are handy, I imagine you could fabricate a DIY version of this stand using plumbing supplies or other piping for MUCH cheaper than purchasing the Manfrotto products... Or, if you're lucky like me, I found 3 of these light stands locally on CraigsList for a combined total of $120. An absolute steal! So keep your eyes out for local deals in your area for high quality lighting equipment**



Benefits Over Budget Friendly Version (click here for <$99 version)
This setup offers tremendous benefits over the original concept, but of course at a much higher retail cost due to the light stand and hand grip. In my opinion, if you're a professional, the benefits are worth it! The light stands are the major enhancement compared to the original idea and they are incredibly solid with no fear of tipping over like the cheap original stands that were used. The hand grips allow for very quick position changes without the need to adjust telescoping tubes. The roller base makes maneuvering these lights a piece of cake, and the bases fold up so you can store the stands in a corner or out of the way if you don't have the space to leave them out. The LEDs I am using now are much lighter than the original ones I purchased and therefore do not droop or sag overtime (this can of course be applied to the original design to fix that issue). You can attach as many sliding arms to the base as you want since the lights are so light, but I've found 2 arms (4 lights) to be perfect.

[fly07sti]

Thanks for this Zach. I have used my original version of this for a long time and has served me well. The rolling stands look much more stable and more versatile. I will definitely be upgrading my setup.

[LSNAutoDetailing]

Using off the shelf commodity hardware to produce a purpose built appliance (PBA)... Hmm... One thinks you should patent this...

[atgonzales]

Always, outstanding, Zach

[Setec Astronomy]

Great info, Zach. You don't happen to know what the tube diameter is on the rolling base?

[zmcgovern45]

Thanks for this Zach. I have used my original version of this for a long time and has served me well. The rolling stands look much more stable and more versatile. I will definitely be upgrading my setup.

Great to hear.

Using off the shelf commodity hardware to produce a purpose built appliance (PBA)... Hmm... One thinks you should patent this...

Not enough time to mess with that... would rather people just build them for themselves... hence the DIY posts

Always, outstanding, Zach

Thanks!

Great info, Zach. You don't happen to know what the tube diameter is on the rolling base?

The sliding arms work on tubes with a diameter of 1 3/8" per the specs on the product website, so I assume that is what the vertical tube measures on my stands. I imagine a 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" pipe may also work if you were attempting a DIY.

[Setec Astronomy]

The sliding arms work on tubes with a diameter of 1 3/8" per the specs on the product website, so I assume that is what the vertical tube measures on my stands. I imagine a 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" pipe may also work if you were attempting a DIY.

Oh, sorry, I guess I missed that. Thanks.

[zmcgovern45]

Bump this to the top... I still get emails regularly about our lighting setup, so figured I'd bring this back up for people to see if they haven't already


For Reference: CLICK HERE for a PDF with links for all products needed to build this light and also the "basic" version of this light.

[Legacykid]

Bump this to the top... I still get emails regularly about our lighting setup, so figured I'd bring this back up for people to see if they haven't already


For Reference: CLICK HERE for a PDF with links for all products needed to build this light and also the "basic" version of this light.

Thanks Zach!

[zmcgovern45]

You're welcome!