Shop Lighting.

[billymac814]

I'm sure someone here knows about lighting. I recently moved some stuff around in my shop and 2 of my sewing machines ended up in a spot that is rather dark. I'd like to add some more lighting and/or rearrange some fixtures I have now. I have really high ceilings, 12-14ft, is it best to drop the lights down lower or have them closer to the ceiling. Right now I have some up high and over work stations I have lower ones right above the work area, I'm not sure if this is the best route though. It gives nice bright lighting on that area but outside of it its not as bright, I'm wondering if they were higher if it would cover more area?? It's also starting to look terrible with chains and wires hanging down for the lights although that's not my main concern.

[electrathon]

If you lower the lights down you will have more light where you need it. If you raise them up you will have more light all around, but less to see what you are working on.

Think of the light like water. If you had a gallon of water would it be better to poor it all on your bench or to spread it all over the room.

Aaron

[mikesmith648]

I am going to be setting up my shop in a little bit....my plan is to use the small halogen lights and put them where I want them...just a thought

[billymac814]

That's pretty much what I figured. I have the large 8ft lights up high and the shorter 4ft ones at each work station, the problem is I have so many areas I need light that I didn't know what was the most efficient. I seen someone's picture here recently of their shop and it seemed so bright. I have about 12 fixtures and my shop is roughly 1000sq ft. I'd like it to be bright everywhere and do it efficiently. Painting everything white would probably help quite a bit but that would be a huge project, everything is supposed to be white now but Its old and looking pretty ding. I could probably get by just doing the ceiling without too much difficulty, that would probably help reflect some light around.

What halogen lights are you thinking? Seems like halogens create a lot of heat and uses a lot of energy, but that might depend on the type, of course it may not be an issue if they are up high enough.

[mikesmith648]

I meant to say Xenon.....sorry........sort of like these

http://www.nslusa.com/xenonmini.html

[Beaverslayer]

Mike, these LED would be a better idea than the xenon you linked too. LED is far more efficient and does not create heat. Another plus, is that LED does not attract flies or bugs.

http://www.nslusa.com/ledthinstar.html

[mikesmith648]

that was my other preference....and they come in mini gooseneck styles so they can be directed where needed!!

[billymac814]

Those things look tiny. I'd need 100s of them or at least a lot. I'd prefer to have something that makes the whole shop bright and not just where I need it.

[David8386]

Led lights would be for task lighting but they do put out a lot more light than you would think. I would go to grainger or some other commercial supply company and see what would be best for a 1000 ft shop. halogen or xenon would be okay because you could go with fewer lights for overall light and led for task lighting.Led is cost is higher but they are supposed to last for a long time. When I remodeled my moms kitchen I went with led under cabinet lights and it turned out very good.

David

[billymac814]

I'll probably end up going with more flouresent shop lights and see if I can spread the light a little more evenly, I don't want to spend a fortune at this point, maybe if and when I remodel the shop Ill seek out a better solution. I may try putting a few more up high to spread it a little more evenly and add another lower one over the spot where the machines are now. I think the high ceilings hurt a little bit in this regard, if it were lower and brighter it may reflect more light down, that's my theory anyway.