I’ve had to finish up tile work by headlamp more than once. Not ideal, but it beats re-mixing thinset and wasting material.
That’s the spirit—sometimes you just have to get creative when the lights go out. I’ve been there, crawling around my 1920s kitchen with a flashlight in my mouth, trying not to drop grout everywhere. The joys of old wiring, right? I do agree that battery backup lights are a game changer, but I’ll admit I’m still partial to those big old lanterns you crank up. They’re not as bright as modern LEDs, but they’ve got character... and they don’t run out of batteries at the worst moment.
Laser levels are great if you can keep them charged, though I’ve had mixed luck with them in rooms where nothing is square (which is basically every room in my house). Sometimes a good old chalk line and some painter’s tape are all you need. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done—especially when you’re racing against the next blackout.
Sometimes a good old chalk line and some painter’s tape are all you need. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done—especially when you’re racing against the next blackout.
Totally agree—sometimes low-tech is just more reliable, especially in those “nothing is square” rooms. I’ve found myself using painter’s tape as a guide more often than I’d like to admit. Curious, has anyone tried those rechargeable work lights that clamp onto door frames? I’m tempted, but wonder if they’re worth the hype or just another gadget collecting dust.
I’ve actually got one of those clamp-on work lights—picked it up on sale thinking it’d be a life-saver. It’s… fine? It’s bright and the clamp holds up, but honestly, I end up just propping a flashlight with a stack of paint cans half the time. The rechargeable part is handy, but if you forget to charge it (which I do), it’s back to square one. Not a total game changer, but not a waste either, if you catch my drift.
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT MID-PROJECT: WHAT'S YOUR MOVE?
I get where you’re coming from with the clamp-on lights. I’ve gone through a few myself, and yeah, they’re only as good as your memory to charge them. I used to forget all the time—would go to start a project after work and realize the thing was dead as a doornail. Then it’s back to balancing a flashlight on whatever’s handy, just like you said.
But honestly, I’ve had better luck with those old-school plug-in halogen work lights. Sure, they run hot enough to fry an egg if you’re not careful, but at least they don’t die on you mid-project unless you trip over the cord (which… guilty). I keep one in the garage for bigger jobs and just deal with the heat. For quick fixes, I’ve actually started using one of those headlamps hikers use. Not exactly stylish, but it keeps both hands free and follows wherever you look—plus, it’s easier to remember to toss some fresh batteries in than to keep track of charging schedules.
Funny enough, my neighbor swears by those magnetic LED strips—sticks ‘em right onto ductwork or metal shelving. He claims they’re impossible to forget since he leaves them stuck up in his workspace all the time. Maybe worth a shot if you’ve got the right setup.
At the end of the day, I guess there’s no perfect solution. Every light seems to have its own little quirk or catch. But hey, at least we’re not working by candlelight… yet.
Those magnetic LED strips sound pretty clever—I hadn’t even thought of that. Here’s my usual backup plan when the lights go out: 1) grab my rechargeable lantern (if it’s actually charged), 2) prop up my phone’s flashlight for some extra light, and 3) if all else fails, just open the garage door for daylight, even if it’s not ideal. I’ve been eyeing those headlamps too, just not sure how comfortable they are after an hour or two. Anyone ever tried using a couple different lights at once, or is that just overkill?
