Milwaukee lights hit the Petrolblog barn – let there be (too much) light
The delivery chap looked slightly confused this morning. A huge box containing five smaller boxes from Milwaukee was balanced in his arms, and judging by the way he asked “what on earth is all this?”, I suspect he’s never had to illuminate a Renault Safrane’s engine bay at 11pm in February.
Inside the boxes? Enough lighting gear to make the barn look like a small film set. Milwaukee has kindly sent Petrolblog the following for review:
- M12 LED Underhood Light – perfect for seeing exactly how much oil a French luxo-barge doesn’t have. Milwaukee calls it “underhood”, but over here we’d say “underbonnet”. Whatever you call it, it’s bright enough to reveal leaks you didn’t know you had.
- M12 4.0Ah Battery – small, red and aesthetically pleasing.
- USB Rechargeable Flashlight (2000 lumens) – brighter than the high street at Christmas.
- USB Rechargeable Hi-Vis Headlamp – yes, it makes me look like I’m about to go caving, but it’s oddly flattering.
- M12–M18 Fast Charger – because waiting for batteries is for other people (and EV drivers).
This isn’t your average eBay-special torch setup. These are serious bits of kit, designed for mechanics, tradies and – by happy coincidence – idiots like me who routinely find themselves lying under cars wondering why they can’t see a thing. I’m aware that using decent kit might make me look a bit all the gear, no idea…
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be putting each item through the Petrolblog real world test:
- Checking tyre pressures in a pitch-black layby
- Hunting for that dropped 10mm socket in the gravel
- Seeing if you can successfully change a headlight bulb without swearing
- Finding more rust holes on the floor of the Fiat Coupé
- Getting Nöddy the Volvo 144 to a stage where it can move under its own steam
- Feeding the Petrolblog goats in the dark (I did say this was a real world test)
You’ll see the results here and in live-action format on the ‘rubbish YouTube channel’. Spoiler: there will be moodily lit photos of French tat. Obviously.
Huge thanks to Milwaukee for sending the kit. If it survives the barn, it’ll survive anything. I can’t deny I get childishly excited when new kit arrives at Petrolblog HQ; it’s like Christmas morning, only without the Lego, Scalextric, or a pair of socks from your aunt.
Stay tuned. It’s about to get bright around here.
