A much- needed use for the Harbor Freight LED flashlights that are given away free is a simple portable spotlight, helpful for many shop tasks. Primary benefits are bright light, self contained power, long run time, and no heat. I put mine together with a 1” tube cutoff, a weight bar clamp ring, and a $1.57 bicycle handlebar mount for the flashlight type. It can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically to illuminate just about anything being worked on, even under the hood of a car. Gluing a doughnut magnet to the base would further enhance its usefulness to the machinist allowing for setup in various locations of ferrous metal as found in machine tools. Since the lamps are LED’s, they are very stingy with battery consumption- I have a preference for the alkaline type and the light output is nothing less than phenomenal for close-up work, including inspection.

Step 1: The Components

Except for the handlebar clamp, all bits are found items: 6" long x 1" al. tube with end cap, the clamp, 1" weight bar cam clamp- although a shaft collar will also serve, and a microwave oven magnetron magnet.

Step 2: Stickup on Any Ferrous Surface

Here I use it on my radial arm saw, shooting down between the arm and motor to illuminate the cut line.

Step 3: Other Tool Types

On my bandsaw I can column mount or wheel cover mount, accommodating any configuration needed.

Step 4: Conclusion

I just used it again today while installing a dishwasher in my son's
home. Freestanding, it fully illuminated the connections under the sink counter for the hookups, so I figured it was time to share.