WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT MID-PROJECT: WHAT'S YOUR MOVE?
Not gonna lie, I still keep a crank light stashed in my tool bucket. Hear me out—yeah, it’s a pain, but when every rechargeable is dead and you’re stuck in a basement with zero daylight, I’ll take five minutes of awkward cranking over working blind. Plus, it’s a solid arm workout.
That said, magnetic work lights are the real MVP most days. Just wish they’d invent one that doesn’t somehow end up stuck to the wrong thing every time...
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT MID-PROJECT: WHAT'S YOUR MOVE?
I totally get the crank light thing—I’ve got one buried somewhere in my garage, but I’ll admit, I don’t have the patience for it unless I’m desperate. My go-to is actually a cheapo headlamp from the hardware store. It’s not fancy, but it keeps my hands free and runs on regular batteries, so I just keep a stash of AAs in the junk drawer. Saved my bacon more than once when the power cut out halfway through fixing a leaky pipe under the sink.
Magnetic work lights are great... until they decide to stick to your toolbox instead of the furnace vent you’re aiming for. Had one end up stuck to a paint can lid once—paint everywhere. Not my finest hour. Anyway, for anyone on a budget, those little LED puck lights you can stick anywhere aren’t bad either, especially if you just need enough light to see what you’re doing and don’t want to break the bank.
Magnetic work lights are great... until they decide to stick to your toolbox instead of the furnace vent you’re aiming for. Had one end up stuck to a paint can lid once—paint everywhere. Not my finest hour.
That’s a classic. I’ve had magnetic lights latch onto ductwork and then just slide down mid-project, which is always fun when you’re balancing on a ladder. Personally, I keep a couple of rechargeable LED lanterns in my “emergency” bin—nothing fancy, but they throw enough light to finish up whatever I’m working on, and I don’t have to hunt for batteries.
Headlamps are solid, but I’ve found the cheap ones tend to eat through batteries faster than you’d think. If you’re doing this kind of thing often, it might be worth investing in a decent rechargeable model. Costs more upfront, but pays off if you’re flipping houses or dealing with frequent outages.
One thing I’d add: those stick-on puck lights are handy in a pinch, but the adhesive never seems to last. I’ve started using painter’s tape to hold them up temporarily—less mess if you need to move them around. Not elegant, but it works.
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT MID-PROJECT: WHAT'S YOUR MOVE?
I’ve definitely had my share of “why won’t this light just stay put?” moments—magnetic or otherwise. One time, I was trying to paint a stairwell during a power outage (not my brightest idea, pun intended), and the only thing I had handy was one of those cheap LED tap lights. The adhesive gave out halfway through, and it bounced down the stairs, leaving me in the dark with a half-painted wall.
Here’s what I do now, step by step, when the lights cut out mid-project:
1. First, I pause and take stock—no sense fumbling around and making a bigger mess.
2. If I have a headlamp, that’s my go-to, but I agree, the cheap ones are battery hogs. I invested in a mid-range rechargeable one and it’s been worth it.
3. For hands-free lighting, I’ll grab a clamp lamp (the kind you use for photography or crafts) and attach it to whatever’s sturdy nearby. Extension cords can be a trip hazard, but sometimes it’s the only way.
4. If I’m desperate, I’ll use my phone’s flashlight wedged into a glass or mug to diffuse the light a bit—it’s not perfect, but it works for touch-ups.
Painter’s tape for puck lights is clever—I usually just end up holding them in my mouth, which is probably not OSHA-approved.
If I’m desperate, I’ll use my phone’s flashlight wedged into a glass or mug to diffuse the light a bit—it’s not perfect, but it works for touch-ups.
That mug trick is clever—never thought of diffusing the light that way. I’ve run into similar issues during late-night walkthroughs at properties under renovation. Sometimes, I’ll set up a battery-powered work light in a corner, but if the batteries are dead, I’ve actually used those solar garden lights from outside. Not ideal, but they’re surprisingly bright in a pinch.
Has anyone tried portable power stations for these situations? I’ve been considering investing in one for job sites, but I’m not sure if they’re worth the hassle compared to just stocking up on rechargeable lights.
