Festool STL 450 Inspection Light alternatives?

[Mark Katz]

I think a long narrow light like the STL-450 would be useful for checking the finish on a large surface like a table top, but the price is too hefty for my low usage. I've tried unsuccessfully to get one on the Recon site and through the FOG classifieds but, truthfully, even that is a bit much to spend.

So, I'm looking for an alternative light with that long, narrow form factor that will satisfy my needs. I really just need it for finish work, not for inspecting plaster or paint on walls, so I don't need a tripod. A light that will rake across the surface it's laid on and won't roll around is all I need. I suppose variable brightness and color temperature might be useful too. Corded would be fine. Cordless only if the battery and charger would be built in - I don't need yet another battery platform to maintain.

The STL 450 is listed as 1500 lumens, so I guess that would be a goal.

Anyone know of such a beast? Firsthand experience would be a plus.

Thanks, Mark

 

[Jason.L.Hagen]

Festool makes small lights. I don't have any personal experience with this product but I've been looking at it. It uses Festool batteries for extra life and has the built in battery. And its about $100 cheaper. Maybe it will work for inspection lighting. I know Sedge did a Festool Live on their lights a while back. Might be worth watching again.

Work Lamp SYSLITE KAL II
Item number 500723

 

[Chainring]

https://smile.amazon.com/SUNWAYFOTO-FL-152-Video-Light-Stick/dp/B082HF61NF

Made for photography. Tunable color temperature and CRI (Color Rendering Index) that's unreal for something in its price range. Removable 26650 battery, thus not a throwaway type of device. Plus, it has a standard tripod thread on the bottom.

 

[Alanbach]

For what it’s worth I got me STL450 last year in their Black Friday style sale on Recon. Hopefully that is coming up fairly soon so if you have not found something by then that might work for you. Mine was the typical 25% off.

 

[John T.]

Reviving this thread rather than creating a new one...

Does anyone think a light more of a point source would be decent as an inspection light as long as it's bright enough? I got to see one of these work lights that is very bright, and I thought it would be nice for wood/drywall work as well as camping.
https://a.co/d/bPf1YTa

 

[squall_line]

Reviving this thread rather than creating a new one...

Does anyone think a light more of a point source would be decent as an inspection light as long as it's bright enough? I got to see one of these work lights that is very bright, and I thought it would be nice for wood/drywall work as well as camping.
https://a.co/d/bPf1YTa

The main thing with an inspection light is ensuring that the source is close enough to the surface that it creates shadows as necessary.  If the source is too tall, it will eliminate some of the usefulness of the "inspection" aspect because it will fill the shadows.  Tall and bright is worse than low and dimmish, if you had to pick between the two.

 

[John T.]

That's a good point I hadn't thought about.

I think this might work pretty well then, at least for when sanding boards, where the light can sit to the side with the actual LED's level with the surface. Maybe it wouldn't be as great for drywall as say the lights on the drywall sanders.

 

[Chainring]

That Fenix light is made for pure flood. Having a nice, raking light like the STL 450 or the light stick I posted above are going to be much better for spotting imperfections.

 

[woodferret]

I use the Ryobi P727 workbench light.  I can get pretty much flat as the STL.  Doesn't come with a stand though.  Astro Tools also makes quite a few slim inspection lights.  If my Ryobi finally dies, I'll likely get one of those.  I also have a set of tiny folding worklights from Amazon.  They work well in the field when its too cumbersome to set up a light (eg close to trim work).  I just plop them down behind my sanding zone.