Lighting

admin

After years of wishing I had a real workshop, I have finally broken ground on my new metal building. I am planning a 40'x60' metal building with a 25'x40' carport on the front end. I have discovered that as you get older the proper lighting can make your project work much less frustrating.One thing I really want to get right is the lighting. Do any of you have any recommendations or know where I might find some online information that would help me find the correct fixtures ?
Reply:Hello bsparrIn my workshop I have fluorescent lighting I find it OK but still a little hard to see fine detail, but that could just be my age catching up with me. One workshop I worked at in Queensland they painted the inside walls gloss white and what a difference it made.Have you thought of putting a few skylights in?.I have a standard incandescent light globe for lighting over my lathe and drill press. I was told under fluorescent lighting a chuck turning at the right speed can appear stationary.Sounds like a good size workshop, Mine is only 18' x 18' with a 20' x 20' carport off the front with way too much gear in it.Simon  http://members.optusnet.com.au/~abba/index.html
Reply:For now the walls will be covered with the white bag insulation which should help some. I wish the skylights would be enough but my eyes aren't what they use to be. The worst is trying to weld something I can barely see through my mask. I have finally found a auto darkening helmet that will go down to a 7 and that was the best $200 I have spent in years.
Reply:Originally Posted by bsparrAfter years of wishing I had a real workshop, I have finally broken ground on my new metal building. I am planning a 40'x60' metal building with a 25'x40' carport on the front end. I have discovered that as you get older the proper lighting can make your project work much less frustrating.One thing I really want to get right is the lighting. Do any of you have any recommendations or know where I might find some online information that would help me find the correct fixtures ?
Reply:What you want to do on your welding tables is put a snake Light type of light.  ONe that you can move in and out close to your work.  Like what Dentist use   I have good eyes.  I can see find during the day, but at night when I'm out working, my florecent lights arent enough.  So as soon as I finiish my work bench I'm installing something that is RIGHT on top of it or that I can easily move.
Reply:Originally Posted by RubenZWhat you want to do on your welding tables is put a snake Light type of light.  ONe that you can move in and out close to your work.  Like what Dentist use   I have good eyes.  I can see find during the day, but at night when I'm out working, my florecent lights arent enough.  So as soon as I finiish my work bench I'm installing something that is RIGHT on top of it or that I can easily move.
Reply:In my shop, we have 3 different kinds of lights- up high, halide, not sodium high bay lights. The sodium is that sick orange color- will drive you nuts. The Halide is closer to white. These lights are 220, 500 watts or so each, and put out a good general light. Then I have a bunch of 8 foot flourescents- they balance the color out, and fill in with even light everywhere.Then, in work areas, 500 watt quartz lights. Some are fixed, mounted on short 2 foot or 3 foot arms over saws and power tools. Others are on big arms, kinda like you describe, but built like a desk lamp- 2 sections each 4 feet long, hinged, with pairs of springs, so they swing where you want em, and move up and down, and stay where you put em. The combo of all three is just right- bright task lighting where you need it, general lighting everywhere.
Reply:Originally Posted by RiesIn my shop, we have 3 different kinds of lights- up high, halide, not sodium high bay lights. The sodium is that sick orange color- will drive you nuts. The Halide is closer to white. These lights are 220, 500 watts or so each, and put out a good general light. Then I have a bunch of 8 foot flourescents- they balance the color out, and fill in with even light everywhere.Then, in work areas, 500 watt quartz lights. Some are fixed, mounted on short 2 foot or 3 foot arms over saws and power tools. Others are on big arms, kinda like you describe, but built like a desk lamp- 2 sections each 4 feet long, hinged, with pairs of springs, so they swing where you want em, and move up and down, and stay where you put em. The combo of all three is just right- bright task lighting where you need it, general lighting everywhere.
Reply:If your welding area will be anywhere near the walls insulated with "white bag insulation," be sure to check the fire/smoke rating or better, sheath the welding area walls with some fireproof material like cement/fiber board.The binder in many glass fiber insulations is combustible and contributes smoke to a fire, and the white bag will be combustible.Lucky guy!awrightLast edited by awright; 04-08-2006 at 03:19 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by awrightIf your welding area will be anywhere near the walls insulated with "white bag insulation," be sure to check the fire/smoke rating or better, sheath the welding area walls with some fireproof material like cement/fiber board.The binder in many glass fiber insulations is combustible and contributes smoke to a fire, and the white bag will be combustible.Lucky guy!awright
Reply:Something like this is what I was thinking.  http://www.pegasusassociates.com/Wor...pOnHalogen.jsporhttp://www.pegasusassociates.com/Wor...EDFlexible.jspIts clamp style so you can move it out of way etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by RubenZSomething like this is what I was thinking.  http://www.pegasusassociates.com/Wor...pOnHalogen.jsporhttp://www.pegasusassociates.com/Wor...EDFlexible.jspIts clamp style so you can move it out of way etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by StortsThats nice and expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i have 2 1 got crushed!!!!!!!!!!!!!magnetic base,,19 ft cord,,,forgot where i bought them,,not off os ebay,,,,,,,This one i cut down and wired it for the iron worker,,,,,,moving,,it just wont stand uo to a 10,000 ld fork truck,,,,,   Jack
Reply:I was wxwntly in a shop that had excellent lighting.    I didn't ask for specfic and was therer to look at a machine they where building for us.   In any event they used Flourescent lighting to very good effect.This isn't your everyday home center lighting either from what I gather each bulb was atleast 110 watts.    They also had the white painted walls as mentioned else where.    Another thing that they had where Windows for that all important natural lighting.    Well natural when the sun shines.    You may have to talk to a electrical or lighting supply store for more info on thses types of flourescents. In any event bright lights are key along with the ability to add task lighting where ever needed.    Work benches for detail work need extra lighting.One thing to mention that may very in importance depending on your shops layout is light switches.    Yes this sounds elemental but having the whole place light all day is very expensive, storage areas and less frequently used faclities need to have the lighting powered down when not occupied.Dave
Reply:Originally Posted by wizardI was wxwntly in a shop that had excellent lighting.    I didn't ask for specfic and was therer to look at a machine they where building for us.   In any event they used Flourescent lighting to very good effect.This isn't your everyday home center lighting either from what I gather each bulb was atleast 110 watts.    They also had the white painted walls as mentioned else where.    Another thing that they had where Windows for that all important natural lighting.    Well natural when the sun shines.    You may have to talk to a electrical or lighting supply store for more info on thses types of flourescents. In any event bright lights are key along with the ability to add task lighting where ever needed.    Work benches for detail work need extra lighting.One thing to mention that may very in importance depending on your shops layout is light switches.    Yes this sounds elemental but having the whole place light all day is very expensive, storage areas and less frequently used faclities need to have the lighting powered down when not occupied.Dave