Workspace Lighting

[Barbara]

Need some ideas for lighting over my worktable.  My son hung up old florescent 4ft lights over it but was wondering if there is something better to light up this area. Are there different types of bulbs for these?  The old eyes are getting worse and need all the light I can get. Just dark rafters overhead in the unfinished basement. Track lighting maybe?  With what type of bulbs.  Could appreciate the suggestions--Barbara

[Wayne]

A few years ago, I switched to the GE Daylight bulbs and they do produce a bright work environment.  The do come in the 4ft length.

[JoanFrances]

Besides 2, 4 foot long hanging fluorescent, I have fluorescent under my over head cabinets, above my cutting and soldering station, for a more saturated light in the work space.  The 4 foot one over my grinder, I wish I had hung lower.  Will need to pick up some more chain to drop it down.  I also have a 5 light chandelier over my work space that is in front of the fire place and a swing arm light over my beetle bits work station.  Hubby hates it when I light them all, but oh well it's my eyes not his LOL

[Lou Ann]

I have the daylight bulbs in my kitchen and I bet they do work well in a work area, Wayne -- when I replace the ones up there I am going to try them...

now to answer your question Barbara -- I have a 4 ft flourescent at the ceiling and because I have the slanted ceilings (in an attic), I also have a 3 bulb tract light that uses halogens right over the workbench and I can adjust each of the lights toward where I need it (grinder, center for cutting and fitting and toward the soldering area) and at the end of the bench where I solder I also have a tree light that is 3 60 w bulbs that I can direct pretty close to where I want them...

hope this helps
Lou Ann

[Anne]

Like Wayne I have the daylight bulbs in my two 4 ft ceiling lights.  My shop is about 12' by 19'. I also have a tracklight set up like LouAnn over my sink/saw area and can adjust them as well.  I also bought an Ott light that's on  a swinging arm that I can move to shine over my soldering area or my grinding/cutting table.  It's got a really long adjustable arm so works really well.  What I really like about the Ott lamps is the true light (we call it my sunshine bulb) and a lot of people in our area get them to alieviate the SAD (seasonal affective disorder) - the blues you get when there's a lack of sunshine. We also just bought ott bulbs for all of my hubby's lights in his shop.  They're really bright and are great for chasing those shadows that you can get from just having the overhead lights on.

[Glassic]

I have three 4' fluros and a single newfangled mercury bulb overhead. It's not quite enough for 15'x20', but that will change soon when the work sink goes in. I can then dedicate a 4footer to the soldering bench.  The light table is a glass desk so the extra light from that helps and my glass racks light up like the 4th of July! Taking aside the electricity bill I'm happy for now!

[ct4mom]

I have track lighting and I can adjust them to where Im working or need more light. Works great for me.

[Barbara]

Thanks for all the suggestions and am going to reposition the lights and get the daylight bulbs.  Will do that next week and will take pictures too.  Thanks all



                                                                       

[Wayne]

Check the prices at WalMart since they do sell them.

[Lou Ann]

I got my daylight bulbs at lowes and they were only about a dollar more than the others...

[Bleedy Pokes]

Thanks for all the lighting ideas!
I work in the basement of my old house... only a single bare bulb hangs over my little workspace, so I've clipped up clamp lights to some of the beams (it's kind of like hillbilly track lighting down there). I think I'll invest in a couple of hanging florescent lights with daylight bulbs. It sure is dreary down there...

[Barbara]

Gwen, It sounds like we have the same setup.  My son put the lights over where I first was going to put the new table but I changed my mind and am going to put the narrow side toward the window.  The pipes for the toilet were over the table and I didn't want to chance there being any way for it to be ruined by an overflow.  Better safe then sorry.  I hope the table feeds my inspiration to make some great things.--Barbara

[Barbara]

Thanks Lou Ann and Wayne I will try to get there soon