workshop lighting

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I have flourescents and incandecent lights plus anglepoise all switched separately. I use the incandecents when you just 'pop in' for a screwdriver – extends the life of flourescents. I have tried low energy, but to date have not found any bright enough, and they DO TAKE TIME TO WARM UP.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi "Speedy Builder5"

These are very bright and instant on – pretty pricey though. LINK

The old conventional GU10' s in the kitchen and my study had a very short life but I changed one lot to these  about 18 months ago and still all OK. Just bought 4 for the kitchen  – so no new workshop goodies for a bit!

Regards

Norman

Edited By NJH on 27/06/2012 21:09:39

Edited By NJH on 27/06/2012 21:11:34

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 27/06/2012 20:44:52:

I have flourescents and incandecent lights plus anglepoise all switched separately. I use the incandecents when you just 'pop in' for a screwdriver – extends the life of flourescents. I have tried low energy, but to date have not found any bright enough, and they DO TAKE TIME TO WARM UP.

Hi,

I use 'Daylight' low energy bulbs which give a good quality white light, (quality is more important than just 'brightness' as our eyes are more sensitive to some colours), in Anglepoise lamps over my bench work and marking out areas. The bulbs I use are the Lloytron 20W in the colour temperature of 5600K which is around the middle of the 'daylight' range. They cost a couple of pounds from my local shop and do not take more than a few seconds to reach maximum light output, unlike the older types.

Best regards

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 28/06/2012 07:42:23

[RobCParticipant @robc77385]

 

I can thoroughly recommend HPF (high power factor) fluorescent lights. I have just put two up in my garage/workshop and the difference is amazing. It feels like daytime in the evenings now!

 

They have a few advantages:

 

(a) no visual adverse effects due to 'strobing'

(b) far more energy efficient

(c) better quality 'day light' type lighting

(d) no flicker on startup (no 'starter' needed)

 

The disadvantage is that they are slightly more expensive, but compared to the normal LPF lights they are fabulous. I may even switch my other lights over in time.

 

If you are UK based, ToolStation carry them as 'Fluorescent batten fitting HPF'

 

/R

Edited By RobC on 28/06/2012 09:24:46

[Chris CrosskeyParticipant @chriscrosskey26628]

I've got some slightly older model HPF's and find they do slow start a bit however as I have 5 off twin 4-foot units in the workshop One over the mill, one over the lathe, one over the bench, one roughly between the three of those and one at the other end where the storage and door are and find that I can normally get away with just two at the work end plus the storage/entrance one. THe room is 17×9 foot (converted concrete sectional garage)adn I'm about to paint the walls and ceiling silk white to increase reflected light a bit….it is almost shadow free..

chrisc

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Ian, I was listening to the radio earlier today, and someone was talking about LED tube lights to replace standard fluro tubes, all sizes from 2ft to 5ft, I think there was something about a modification to the fitting (free I think), didn't hear a price. Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 03/07/2012 12:24:36

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

LED tubes, pure white 6000K (daylight) – here. No personal interest – just a customer.

Regards,

Terry

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

> LED tube lights

I heard a story, from the horses mouth, about a Petrol Station overhead shelter burned down by prototype LED tube lights Wired in sets in series. one LED went short, then another until they all went…

This was in the early days.

Neil

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Hi all.

The fire was probably caused by a faulty controller or how they mounted the led unit .

I think Led lighting wil eventually get rid of those poisonous flourecent lights – one day !

John Fletcher 1 please check your message box .

Ian

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

No definitely caused by a 'chai reaction' – I heard the tale from the designer.

Neil

[ianjParticipant @ians]

Hi. Just a few pics. of the inside. ( photography is not my primary skill !! )

Regards Ian

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Ian,

Wonderfully light and airy!

Looks like an operating theatre compared to my workshop. I wonder if I can pluck up teh courage to post aphoto or two?

Neil

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Posted by ian j on 29/07/2012 09:38:45:

photography is not my primary skill !!

But keeping the workshop tidy is !!

Russell.

[geoffParticipant @geoff]

i do agree that good lighting is essential but have any of you considered if possible using daylight by fitting a roof window or something along these lines i fitted one and replaced the corruged sheeting with equivalent type as used on conservatories excetera and it improved the daylight in the work area no end

geoff

[JonParticipant @jon]

Do agree natural lighting is the best, next best fluorescent.

Stuck for space most of my stuffs been outsde for years, however partitioned off at 14ft x 8ft main area with two lines of cheap £17 5ft fluorescents with diffusers. Main lathe and main mill are at one end so only ever use the two outside fluorescents with no flicker. No shadows like spot lights give.

Worst thing to do with fluorescents is hang them off a chain, probably stems from the older generation with incandescant lighting and plenty of shadows.

The only problem cutting a hole in roof or one wall for a window is a loss of wall storage space. The perimeter of mine is totally shelved 12" out above work height so looks dim.

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Dim my workshop is the cellar of an old 1700's pub, is the full size of the building and stays at an ambient temperature. Down is no natural lighting (well it is underground) Up loads of space. BUT
try and get a 7.25g Hunslet that you have been building for a few years in there and is no small toy and then when you want to bring it upstairs. Reality steps in and you say OH SUGAR…

Am now building a 5"g B1 much more manageable.

Lighting as much as possable, get the best.

Bob

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Bob, how about cutting a hole in the ceiling/ floor of a room above, and fitting a trap door. Then with a portable hoist, its straight up and out, shut the door, pull the carpet over. Ian S C

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