Author Topic: Work Bench Lighting??? (Read 3867 times)

Bigmon · « **on:** February 14, 2018, 07:50:50 PM »

Any you gents familiar with these new LED lites, that are long like floourescent lights??
I don't have a big time shop or allot of tools or money to buy everything that so many have.
But I cannot scrimp on lighting. Right now I have a 4 ft flouresecent lite just wondering if there is a big difference ifI'd replace it with the new LED, or maybe even just add an LED lite.
Are they much brighter?
Also, I am concerned they may be harsh and hard on the old eyes?
Anyone have any experience with these lights?
Thanks

Brian Jordan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2018, 08:20:03 PM »

I recently installed a new 4' LED light above my bench and it is an amazing improvement. It was $40 at home depot. I have since bought a few more for other locations.
I also have 3 of the lamps on movable arms with LED bulbs so I can get the lighting where I need it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-ft-Bright-Cool-White-Integrated-LED-Linkable-Shop-Light-Fixture-54103161/205331022

Flint62Smoothie · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2018, 08:24:43 PM »

Now only $30 each per that link, plus I like how you can connect up to 5 of them from the same switch!

Mauser06 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2018, 09:28:07 PM »

I have the same exact one melsdad posted. My goodness what a difference.

It's like a hospital light. Bright good clean looking light.

I bought a flood light bulb for an outside socket...found out the socket or switch is bad. On a whim, I tried it above my bench. It's awesome for detail. It's a clean softer light. Not super yellow but not bright white or blue.

My bench is only 4x2. Kinda by design. Smaller space to clutter. Lol. I'm really happy with my lighting though.

SingleMalt · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2018, 09:44:28 PM »

I've got two four-foot twin LED fixtures over my L-shaped bench and an LED bulb in a draftsman's lamp. Works great. The only problem I have is with glare from the LEDs. It's really apparent when polishing metal. I forgot to mention, I got mine at Costco, about $18 each.

Bigmon · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2018, 09:47:44 PM »

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to hear!
Let there be light!!

WKevinD · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2018, 10:18:00 PM »

All LED 4' above, adjustable on bench. All the mess is visible!
Kevin

Scota4570 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2018, 10:18:58 PM »

I have 16' of under-cabinet to light. I bought LED strip lighting off of Amazon. I got the daylight ones. They come on a reel and are adhesive backed. For the reflector I used galvanized drip edge as used for roofing. The power supply that they sent was not FCC approved, it caused nasty radio interference. I tossed it and used a different one. You will need 5-amps at 12V DC. The lighting is very bright. Total investment was about $40 for the 16' length.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HSF66JO/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3341940462&pd_rd_wg=JTHdl&pf_rd_r=ZGDN5922809Z62M36AQG&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00HSF66JO&pd_rd_w=YGrbG&pf_rd_i=led+strip+lights&pd_rd_r=bc5e0fc8-6e95-43c6-abe9-5d1cee46fb27&ie=UTF8&qid=1518636024&sr=2

Bigmon · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2018, 11:02:06 PM »

I do not see that light as per the link at $30.00?
However at Amazon it is $34.95 incl del.
Before I jump, are your lights 40 Watt?

Berksrifle · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2018, 11:04:57 PM »

When I got my first kit, I needed more light than my 4 foot florescent light. I bought a 4 foot LED light. I use both at my 8 foot bench, but the LED is a much brighter light. Bought one for the garage too.

Ken

Flint62Smoothie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2018, 11:14:38 PM »

Quote from: Bigmon on February 14, 2018, 11:02:06 PM

I do not see that light as per the link at $30.00?
However at Amazon it is $34.95 incl del.
Before I jump, are your lights 40 Watt?

The specs on the light linked was 3200 lumens (light output) at 36 watts. Lumens is what you want to focus on.

I recall when my twin bro worked at Sylvania on their specialty lamp line, they had FL-lamps available in 108 different colors or wavelengths of ‘white light’, each designed to optimize a certain color or spectrum of colors. I used to shoot indoor archery where there was a white bullseye on a medium blue background. He got us lamps that attenuated the blue, so the white stood out as unreal, without blinding either.

That said and I agree with all, I too like the more natural, if not ‘clean’ white light that LEDs provide ... significantly less ‘yellow’ in color!

Paul E. Wog · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2018, 11:59:18 PM »

Recently replaced all of my 8' fluorescent commercial grade units with the Home Depot 4' LED's at 1/3 of the cost...anyone need some 8 footers and bulbs?

Much brighter lighting with less shadows.
Shreck

Scota4570 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2018, 12:33:08 AM »

Here is descriptor of what I was writing about.

Lighting EVER
LE 16.4ft Waterproof Flexible LED Light Strip, 300 Units SMD 2835 LED, 6000K Daylight White, LED Tape, 12V LED Light Strips, For Gardens/ Homes/ Kitchen/ Cars/ Bar

Like the above, there are lots of vendors. I don't have my receipt handy. I got the really bright white and they look a little blue, I'll a little softer white next time. The 16.4' reels are under $10. The transformers cost more if you care about RFI. I used an old CPAP supply I already had. The $10 supply works. So for about $20 you could do 16". I also bought connectors with wire pigtails, ...also cheap .

The drip edge was like this:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/C3-1-38-in-x-10-ft-Galvanized-Steel-Drip-Edge/3057367?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-LumberAndBuildingMaterials-_-SpecialtyMetals-_-3057367:&CAWELAID=&kpid=3057367&CAGPSPN=pla&store_code=2755&k_clickID=b011dab5-bee2-41b7-8772-104b440d40ed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwbqz9Kym2QIVkl9-Ch02aQnaEAQYAyABEgJkMvD_BwE

I installed the light behind it to make a glare protector. It made a good surface for the strip to stick to.

I am planning to use these strips in my house on top of crown molding. I am trying to make a enough of my home run on 12V as I need to for extended power outages. That happened last year and was a pain. You could run the strips off a deep cycle battery if need be. For an off grid shop they are very efficient.

LED replacement bulbs for T8 and T12 fixtures have gotten very cheap. When my current crop of T12s die I will get the LED version.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-2-Pack-32-W-Equivalent-Bright-White-T8-LED-Tube-Light-Bulbs/1000083433

far55 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2018, 01:23:12 AM »

I have been replacing the office lighting where I work. They are2, 3 and 4 tube units in suspended ceilings. With the 4' bulbs we are using, I remove the ballasts and rewire with one end hot and cut the wires to the other end. The light seems to be on the whiter side of the spectrum and I replace the 4 tubes with 2 LED and most of the 2 tube units with 1 LED. I like them and bought some for my own shop. There are bulbs that work with your fluorescent ballasts if you don't want to rewire. Roland

Bigmon · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2018, 01:49:09 AM »

There are bulbs that will work with out replacing ballast??
What are they called and where do ya get those.
Or are they more than just buying a new light?
Thanks to all

WKevinD · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2018, 02:13:59 AM »

My "full fixture" LEDs are 3200 lumens from Home Depot, nice feature is plastic lens covers, I whack em with guns and I don't get showered with glass. I put three in my shop for about $100.. My eyes need them.
Kevin

Long Ears · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2018, 03:35:33 AM »

I purchased my replacement LED tubes from Costco. They require no ballast change and are plug and play. I had one really old fixture that they would not work in. I have replaced 38 tubes so far and really like the brightness and color. I thing 2 tubes in a pack were $17 to $20. 4' only.

Bigmon · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2018, 04:49:28 AM »

I just came from a business meeting at Church. WWe are replacing / converting better word our FL w/LED.
I was told they make "kit" that incl the bulbs, and what ever is needed to bi-pass the ballast? and directions?
Anyone ever hear of this??

far55 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2018, 05:55:58 AM »

Apparently there are a lot of different ones on the market now for retro fitting existing lights. The ones I am familiar with have end pins that fit both T-8 and T-12 bulb fixtures. These bulbs are 4' and are wired to one end only. One pin is hot and the other is neutral. China imports, sold under -Forest lighting Products. These were a special order through a local electrical distributer and a program sponsored by our power company with a $4 rebate at point of purchase. Ended up being around $8.50 each. Roland

Maineshops · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2018, 04:29:19 PM »

I got mine from Hypericon. Used the single end kind and replaced everything in the shop,sewing room, and garage. Very pleased with them

Bigmon · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2018, 03:25:25 AM »

Was just at Lowes. The guy there showed me bulbs that he said will work in a standard FL fixture as long as the ballast is ELECTRONIC BALLAST?
Any experience with this?
I am reluctant to go that route but if it works just as well I might? Seems like a shoddy fix??
Thanks to all

Maineshops · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2018, 05:00:28 PM »

My neighbor did that and they work just fine

Brian Jordan · « **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2018, 04:14:38 AM »

The light I mentioned at the begining of this post is on in this photo. Another light that I find very useful is the small black light that is sitting on the bench. I bought this at Ikea for $9 I have several of them around the shop.

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Author Topic: Work Bench Lighting??? (Read 3867 times)

Paul E. Wog

Maineshops

Maineshops