Don't skimp on the lighting!

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
One of the florescent light fixtures that I put in my shop back when I built it finally gave out so I had to buy and instal a new one today. The old one was directly over head and I was always bothered by shadows in the important spots like at the band saw or the drill press and such so I decided to get two light fixtures to replace the old one. I put them off to the sides some and it made such a difference it's amazing! It's like being outside at noon now. No shadows any where! I am so glad I went ahead and put that extra light in. It's just something you don't think about much but it's something that makes a big difference.
 
I hate working without decent lighting. To me, lighting is as valid a tool as a good needle file, or a grinder.

Check it out:

Shoplights.jpg


:D
 
Nice set-up you have there, but it is kind of disturbing since your shop is cleaner than my kitchen.:)

I have OK lighting in my shop where the grinder, mill and band saw is. The forge room is pretty darn dark though. If I forge in the day time, I turn out the light, and at night, I only have one 60 watt bulb burning.
 
Jeff
is your shop a building by itself or is connecetd to your home.
Mine is the garage,cold as a meat locker,
Nathan
 
Jeesh, Jeff, even the garbage cans are clean.:D Spacious, painted, bright, clean... wayyy nice!
 
Jeff, how do you ever find anything in that mess, if my shop was that clean I would never get anything done for blinding glare coming off the benchs. Must be nice to be able to move around without kick crap out of the way though. :D :D

Bill
 
Nathan, my house is on a gentle slope. The basement is a walk-out, with a 2 car garage on one side, and my shop and the mudroom on the other. Yes, it is like a freezer in the winter, and REALLY cool and comfortable in the summer. I have FHA heat in the house, which doesn't do a lot for the basement.

I finally broke down and bought a nice Dayton electric heater from Grainger. $125 and it heats the whole basement, but I have it in my shop and it cycles quite well to maintain about 65 degrees in there, which is most comfortable to me. It takes a 240 30-amp line, though.

Mike Cooper: Hey did you get the T-12 type of fixture? Its always good to check that. The T-12 type will really save on your light bill.
 
Jeff
I like a neat shop,My shop is made from cement blocks.
I want to seal them and cover it with something like plywood
or peg board,Jeff I see yours is cover with plywood,the reason I
ask is the back side of my shop is half underground and it holds moisture,and I am sick of looking at cement blocks do you think
it is possible to cover the walls like yours.
I am a neat freak and I like to be able to lay my hands on my tools in the dark.One of the heater you speak of would be the ticket
to keep the shop warm and keep my belts from curling up,because
a mositure and cold,do you run the heater all the time or just when you are in the shop.Also Jeff what is your ceiling cover with
Thanks Nathan
 
Nathan, the two walls you see in the pic are OSB chipboard with about 4 coats of white enamel. The walls behind me (in this pic) are poured concrete. And yes indeed, they were really moist and clammy. I waited until the season was dry enough and painted it all out with the UGL Drylok paint. Its a real PITA to use imo, but well worth the effort. It really seals out the moisture. So on the concrete I have like 2 coats of Drylok, and 3 coats of enamel. Feels like I'm in a swimming pool sometimes, but I hate dampness and humidity really wrecks good machinery. I also run a dehumidifier in the worst part of the summer - it really keeps the cooties at bay!
 
Jeff
Thanks for the input,when this long winter is over,the shop is getting revamping.I hate the dampness like you,I have to much $$$
into my shop,to let it rust up.
Thanks for your time,and great input
Nathan
 
Jeff your cheating :D :D
I wanted to mention the 8" fixtures I think last longer as in
replacement bulbs and I think put out more light too,
I need a few more myself.
old eyes need more light ,,, right Jeff :D
I have a main shop that's 36x34' and I only have 3 8 footers.
I have a new one to add but just need the time.
playing on this puttttter sucks it up big time:( :)
 
I would be very interested in any information anyone can provide on this thing about the brightness factor between T8, and T12 fixtures.

Both of those values are measurements of flourescent bulb diameter in 10th of an inch, IE; T8= 8/10"or 4/5", T12=12/10, or 11/5". Old measurement styles, but used since flourescents lamps have been produced.

What those values mean in brightness is what I want to know.
There was a thread about these types of fixtures a while ago, but it wasn't real clear.
Thanks!:confused:
 
Looks more like a hospital room, Verrryyyy surgical. When are you going to start making knives in there?

(I am the apprentice - you know - janitor, broom man, cleaning lady, etc.).Don't look Bruce.

Harry
 
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