Comments on: Finds: Snap-on’s Cool Magnetic Flashlight Holder http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/26/finds-snap-ons-flashlight-holder/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:39:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Steve Thompson http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/26/finds-snap-ons-flashlight-holder/#comment-1462 Steve Thompson Thu, 28 Sep 2006 03:45:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/26/finds-snap-ons-flashlight-holder/#comment-1462 Get a headband light. I know, you may look like a coal miner - but a good one - with wide dispersion and powerful LEDs - works wonders. If you look around, they can be had for less than 20 bucks. I feel goofy wearing it, until I realize that I can actually see what I'm doing. Get a headband light. I know, you may look like a coal miner - but a good one - with wide dispersion and powerful LEDs - works wonders. If you look around, they can be had for less than 20 bucks. I feel goofy wearing it, until I realize that I can actually see what I’m doing.

]]> By: Kai http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/26/finds-snap-ons-flashlight-holder/#comment-1436 Kai Wed, 27 Sep 2006 09:01:23 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/26/finds-snap-ons-flashlight-holder/#comment-1436 My solution generally involves (as any good hack usually does) gaffer/duct tape and the strongest magnets I can find. Tape the magnets to the torch in appropriate places, making sure that the cloth tape covers all the metal on the magnets and then there's no worry of the magnets scratching whatever you stick them to... Can be a bit tricky sometimes to get the angle of the torch right, but if you're using strong rare-earth magnets (like those from a computer hard drive) they once it's in place, it doesn't move very far =) My solution generally involves (as any good hack usually does) gaffer/duct tape and the strongest magnets I can find.
Tape the magnets to the torch in appropriate places, making sure that the cloth tape covers all the metal on the magnets and then there’s no worry of the magnets scratching whatever you stick them to…
Can be a bit tricky sometimes to get the angle of the torch right, but if you’re using strong rare-earth magnets (like those from a computer hard drive) they once it’s in place, it doesn’t move very far =)

]]> By: Myself http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/26/finds-snap-ons-flashlight-holder/#comment-1433 Myself Wed, 27 Sep 2006 06:45:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/09/26/finds-snap-ons-flashlight-holder/#comment-1433 I've been using the Nite-Ize version for AA mini-Mags and it's far from perfect. The top is open like you might be expected to snap it onto the light, but it cracks if you do that. You're supposed to slide it on from the end. It ships with velcro pads, and the package describes putting them over the magnet, but the magnet's not strong enough to grip anything once you've spaced it out with velcro. I put the velcro on the sides of the holder, but they're not flat and obviously not intended for that, so it doesn't stick very well. I tried wedging the end of the light into the holder so it would hang straight down from an overhead steel shelf, and it's obviously not made for that either. For $3 it's not terrible, but I can think of a few improvements that wouldn't make it any more expensive. One of these days I'll find a block of delrin or other suitable plastic, and machine my own. Until then, I'll whine about the Nite-Ize. :) I actually ended up using my Fluke LVD1 last night, instead of the mini-mag, because its clip was able to grab the shelf and point the light right where I needed it. It's only a single LED, but in the right position, it's all the light I usually need. Huge improvement over the BK SenseLite it replaced. I’ve been using the Nite-Ize version for AA mini-Mags and it’s far from perfect.

The top is open like you might be expected to snap it onto the light, but it cracks if you do that. You’re supposed to slide it on from the end. It ships with velcro pads, and the package describes putting them over the magnet, but the magnet’s not strong enough to grip anything once you’ve spaced it out with velcro. I put the velcro on the sides of the holder, but they’re not flat and obviously not intended for that, so it doesn’t stick very well.

I tried wedging the end of the light into the holder so it would hang straight down from an overhead steel shelf, and it’s obviously not made for that either. For $3 it’s not terrible, but I can think of a few improvements that wouldn’t make it any more expensive. One of these days I’ll find a block of delrin or other suitable plastic, and machine my own. Until then, I’ll whine about the Nite-Ize. :)

I actually ended up using my Fluke LVD1 last night, instead of the mini-mag, because its clip was able to grab the shelf and point the light right where I needed it. It’s only a single LED, but in the right position, it’s all the light I usually need. Huge improvement over the BK SenseLite it replaced.

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