Workshop lighting

Workshop lighting · 10-01-2009, 12:42 PM

I just finished a 26'X26' workshop and need to make a decision on lighting. I have read quite a bit on the web about it but would value any ay dvice from folks with experience. At this point I arm considering T8 lights with extra over my main work area.

Advice is welcomed.

WoodWrangler · 10-01-2009, 12:54 PM

More light is better. The T8's are good in most scenarios for shop lighting, I think. I'd probably get eight double T8's in a space that size if it were me.

Bas · 10-01-2009, 01:12 PM

I'm in the process of finishing my own workshop as well. I plan to install 16 four-foot two-lamp T8 light fixtures for ~ 500 square feet. That number is based on an article in FWW. I'll be honest, it seems a bit like overkill, but I'll make several banks on different switches, so I can always turn things off. My shop is in a basement, I have no natural light coming in whatsoever. You can get T8 in different color temperatures. The "daylight" ones are a little more expensive, but definitely worth it.

As for task lighting, I haven't decided on that yet, but I definitely want something bright for sharpening, sanding etc.

McRabbet · 10-01-2009, 01:13 PM

I bought 2' x 4' T-8 Fluorescent Troffers (designed for drop in ceiling) that I hung on short chain for my basement shop. The four bulb units came with the bulbs, electronic ballast and a 6' whip for under $45 at the big box BORGs (they still carry them). I put a 5 of them in my 15' x 25' shop in an X pattern and three more in my 12' x 32' secondary shop space (I use some 4' shop lights hanging over my benches for task lighting there, too). Only one ballast has conked out on me in four years and they provide excellent lighting coverage.

Glennbear · 10-01-2009, 01:13 PM

A while back I posted a thread about the lighting I installed in my 24x24 shop and my installation has worked well. The only thing I have left to do is to add some recessed lighting between the overhead door tracks since with an 8 foot ceiling I could not place hanging fixtures in that area because of door interference problems.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f...ighting-12820/

Bas · 10-01-2009, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by McRabbet

The four bulb units came with the bulbs, electronic ballast and a 6' whip for under $45 at the big box BORGs (they still carry them).

The Home Depots here in Raleigh are having a sale on the 4 lamp 4 foot troffers for $33 (down from $38.01) . They don't come with bulbs though, but that may actually be a good thing. By comparison, a standard 2 lamp wrap is $18. The 4 lamp wraps are much more expensive, ~$60 (which is kind of odd when you think about it).

I've gone back and forth on troffers. I think the wraps look nicer, and will be easier to install, but it's more wiring. The main advantage with 2 lamp fixtures is the ability to retain good coverage even with half the lights turned off. The troffers are a slightly cheaper solution.

The things we agonize over...

Bigdog72 · 10-01-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Bas

I'm in the process of finishing my own workshop as well. I plan to install 16 four-foot two-lamp T8 light fixtures for ~ 500 square feet. That number is based on an article in FWW. I'll be honest, it seems a bit like overkill, but I'll make several banks on different switches, so I can always turn things off. My shop is in a basement, I have no natural light coming in whatsoever. You can get T8 in different color temperatures. The "daylight" ones are a little more expensive, but definitely worth it.

As for task lighting, I haven't decided on that yet, but I definitely want something bright for sharpening, sanding etc.

I can just see it. Bas greeting on the next shop crawl:

Good Evening! Step into my dungeon! (try to imagine a Vincent Price type accent)

Phil S · 10-01-2009, 07:20 PM

I have a 14 x 40 shop that is lite with 14 2' x 4' fixtures with three T8 bulbs each and I have it switched so I can only turn on every other fixture. But I normally have them all on and I have plenty of light. phil

Bas · 10-01-2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by Bigdog72

I can just see it. Bas greeting on the next shop crawl:

Good Evening! Step into my dungeon! (try to imagine a Vincent Price type accent)

I like it...perhaps with a coffin assembled (but not yet finished) on the workbench.... made of blood wood....and of course noticeable absence of mallet and wooden stakes...

FredP · 10-01-2009, 07:57 PM

my shop is 24x32 and I use 12- 8' t-12 fixtures with 2 bulbs in each. 7 are switched and come on all at once and the rest are on pull strings so I can turn em on as needed. I have a couple of 4 footers too. cant have enough light!

the t-12's are cheaper for the fixtures and the bulbs are fairly cheap too. some of them humm but I got a radio too.

I got mine free from a pool room that was upgrading. they were 20+ years old. as they go bad I replace them. I have replaced 3 so far in 5 years. I use 75 watt daylight bulbs when I have em. otherwise its whatever is on sale at the BORG.

If I go out there at night I need sunglasses!

AmishWarlord · 10-01-2009, 09:31 PM

This is from a RC airplane page but it's good advise on setting up lighting over a work bench.

http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...ng_up_shop.htm

scsmith42 · 10-01-2009, 10:53 PM

Mike, I'm 15 minutes from Pittsboro and recently built a new shop with a combination of 4 bulb T8's and metal halide lights (low bay fixtures for a 15' ceiling). You're welcome to stop by if you'd like to check out the amount of lighting from the T8's. I have them in several different rooms, in different configurations, so you can compare how the density affects the actual lighting.

Send me a PM if you're interested.

Regards,

Scott

mike_wood · 10-04-2009, 07:14 PM

Thanks for all the input. It was helpful. Since building this shop has my bank account about zeroed out I am going to go cheap as possible right now. I got 4, 4 bulb, t-8 lights I plan to space evenly then see where I need to go from there. This will not be all I will do but I thinking I will add some task lighting where needed. I will keep adding until I get what I need. Mainly I am taking this approach to spread out the cost.

Thanks again to everyone.

Travis Porter · 10-05-2009, 12:13 AM

I can respect and understand where you are coming from. I am just glady you didn't go out and buy a BUNCH of cheap fixtures.....

willarda · 10-05-2009, 09:07 AM

I have a dozen T8 lights in my shop (24X32). Not one of the bulbs have burned out and they have been in place 8 years now. I am in my shop every day. The T8 are advertized to use less energy and last longer and I can attest to that fact!