STL450 Inspection Light

[gsdvorak]

I just came in from the shop - I was sanding some red oak drawer fronts and using my STL450 light to spot any defects or scratches.  I have had this light since it was released last fall, and haven't written about it yet so thought I'd write a quick review.  I realize that Festool probably designed this for the drywall guys, but wow does it work nice for a sanding inspection light.  I set it on its side on top of my MFT and set the drawer front on my Vac-Sys and Presto!  Every minor scratch, swirl mark, or fine hand-sanding line shows up clear as day until I get them all cleaned up.  The dark stain I'm using shows every defect if left behind so it's been nice to find them beforehand so I don't have to stain them twice. 

I thought the price was insane before I purchased but I have to say that it has saved me a lot of touchup work, so now I don't think it was quite so insane (but maybe still a little). I would highly recommend this light.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[rst]

Sure, you just had to give it a glowing review...I've been trying to avoid buying this.  I just finished finishing two 15 lite doors and really this would have been easier than holding my Syslite.

 

[deepcreek]

I'm collaborating on a project with another furniture maker and while visiting his shop, he showed me his Festool STL-450 inspection light. 

He said it is the best light he has ever used to inspect his work while he is sanding and finishing.

The bar produces a line of spot light versus flood light and at a raking angle it shows EVERYTHING.

He has the whole set with the LED bar, tripod and light mount/adjustment accessory.  Very nice tripod.  Super stable.

I went home with the intention of buying it immediately until I saw the price.  $510 - Yikes!  I looked for a cheaper alternative but all the LED light bars I found seem to be 12v DC or handheld units with no mounting mechanism.

I waited a couple of weeks and ended up buying just the surface control light (201938 - $300) and the light mount adapter (201936 - $100).

The tripod by itself is another $215 so the set is actually a much better deal.  My shop is so small that I decided I was better off mounting the light on the end of my sanding/assembly bench. 

I found that two plastic clamps for 1" PVC electrical conduit fit the tube on the light mount adapter perfectly to secure it to the end.  I'm also considering fabricating a magnetic mount using some magswitch's so that I can mount it to my pallet racking.

The light mount is essential.  It lets you slide the light bar side to side, twist it left to right and rotate it up and down to achieve the perfect raking light.  It's far superior to anything else I've ever used.  I wish it cost a little less but it is made in Germany by Festool.

 

[The.Handyman]

I'm collaborating on a project with another furniture maker and while visiting his shop, he showed me his Festool STL-450 inspection light. 

He said it is the best light he has ever used to inspect his work while he is sanding and finishing.

The bar produces a line of spot light versus flood light and at a raking angle it shows EVERYTHING.

He has the whole set with the LED bar, tripod and light mount/adjustment accessory.  Very nice tripod.  Super stable.

I went home with the intention of buying it immediately until I saw the price.  $510 - Yikes!  I looked for a cheaper alternative but all the LED light bars I found seem to be 12v DC or handheld units with no mounting mechanism.

I waited a couple of weeks and ended up buying just the surface control light (201938 - $300) and the light mount adapter (201936 - $100).

The tripod by itself is another $215 so the set is actually a much better deal.  My shop is so small that I decided I was better off mounting the light on the end of my sanding/assembly bench. 

I found that two plastic clamps for 1" PVC electrical conduit fit the tube on the light mount adapter perfectly to secure it to the end.  I'm also considering fabricating a magnetic mount using some magswitch's so that I can mount it to my pallet racking.

The light mount is essential.  It lets you slide the light bar side to side, twist it left to right and rotate it up and down to achieve the perfect raking light.  It's far superior to anything else I've ever used.  I wish it cost a little less but it is made in Germany by Festool.

Try the Milwaukee M12 underhood light. It's fantastic and cordless. Same principal of a light bar. I have used it for surface inspection many times.

1260 lumens max I believe.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Sanderxpander]

Apart from the crossbar at the top, the stand for the Festool looks exactly like any standard speaker stand that you could get at any music store for upwards of 40 bucks or so. Less on craigslist probably. I haven't checked the mount but it's worth finding out before spending 215 on it.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Hi, I raised this question before as well.

Bryce Burrell confirmed that the top end of the Festool stand is 32mm in diameter, which makes it unique. (Speaker stand 35mm/36mm)

I just ordered a Syslite Duo and have ordered a thin, 25mm diameter speaker stand. I hope to be able to have a quick fix by adding some plastic tubing.

My main problem with the Festool stand was weight.
If you really look into good stands, it is not that expensive to buy the Festool one...