Question About Lighting

[CascadeRob]

Just curious what y’all are using for lighting on your workbenches? More so the bulbs. Since everything is in the world of LEDs it’s tough to find that “perfect lighting” I have an architect light coming in the mail and I was wondering what’s the best bulb to put in it? 2700k-3k LED? Or a daylight LED bulb? I have overhead shop lights, and they work for general lighting, but I need something to not cast shadows for finer sanding and filing.

 

[tenngun]

Just curious what y’all are using for lighting on your workbenches? More so the bulbs. Since everything is in the world of LEDs it’s tough to find that “perfect lighting” I have an architect light coming in the mail and I was wondering what’s the best bulb to put in it? 2700k-3k LED? Or a daylight LED bulb? I have overhead shop lights, and they work for general lighting, but I need something to not cast shadows for finer sanding and filing.

Two light sources on opposite angles
Big window near where I’m working too.

 

[deerstalkert]

6 double tube LED overheads, one incandescent with reflector over my finishing spot.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Three sets of double tube fixtures two led fixtures and two incandescent bulbs each controlled separately. And one led with magnifying glass on a boom. Sometimes it is beneficial to adjust the lights to make shadows to better show the contour of the work and expose scratches. Then take it outside on a sunny day to reinspect.

 

[waksupi]

I never did find work lighting I thought was perfect. When I thought I had something looking good, I would take it outside to view in natural light. That shows where improvements could be made better than any artificial lighting could.

 

[oldwood]

When I go into my shop , I put a 2.5 power binocular magnifier on my head. My old eyes need plenty of light and magnification to work properly. My neighbor installs those giant food coolers in grocery stores , and has replaced most of my overhead fluorescent lights , with the light bars he removes from obsolete food coolers. I have to close my eyes to turn them on , as the light intensity , and quantity is shocking to me , when first igniting them. Think they are LED bars. Just wish I had them 30 yrs ago. I still have one articulating arm incandescent lamp over my work bench , and one more above my engraving , and carving area. I solidly position an assembled gun using 3 , 25 lb. bags of shotgun BB's holding the gun in any way I need to carve , or engrave. Beneath the gun , the bench top is avg. thickness house carpeted , which again , with the bags of shot , makes everything very stable.

 

[CascadeRob]

6 double tube LED overheads, one incandescent with reflector over my finishing spot.

If you had to replace that incandescent with an LED what bulb would you go for?

 

[CascadeRob]

When I go into my shop , I put a 2.5 power binocular magnifier on my head. My old eyes need plenty of light and magnification to work properly. My neighbor installs those giant food coolers in grocery stores , and has replaced most of my overhead fluorescent lights , with the light bars he removes from obsolete food coolers. I have to close my eyes to turn them on , as the light intensity , and quantity is shocking to me , when first igniting them. Think they are LED bars. Just wish I had them 30 yrs ago. I still have one articulating arm incandescent lamp over my work bench , and one more above my engraving , and carving area. I solidly position an assembled gun using 3 , 25 lb. bags of shotgun BB's holding the gun in any way I need to carve , or engrave. Beneath the gun , the bench top is avg. thickness house carpeted , which again , with the bags of shot , makes everything very stable.

Oh that sounds like a broadway show haha

 

[oldwood]

Cascade........I have an experimentatious nature , (sickness) , ever since birth. Combine that with my younger Navajo/Apachi neighbor , one of the most intelligent humans to ever walk on Earth , nothing in need of experimentation is overlooked. Wish I was younger to enjoy our ride , longer..................oldwood

 

[TDM]

I don’t use LEDs on the work bench. I have 2 adjustable incandescent lights on the main bench. Plus 3 more smaller adjustable lights with incandescent bulbs that I can use if needed. I stocked up on incandescent bulbs years ago but my stock is getting thin. About 6 months ago I ordered a dozen 60 watt bulbs from Amazon to restock. They are getting scarce, especially anything more than 60 watts, but the light they give is superior by far, at least for my eyes. I’ve bought most of the lights at flea markets, usually with a good bulb.

 

[Beaverman2]

Check out the KIBLER VID on sanding and finishing the WR, Jim covers some light tips for sanding and such

 

[Tom A Hawk]

The best lighting aid I have purchased is a pair of magnifying glasses with three levels of illumination and interchangeable lenses. They were not very expensive and really help with the fine detail work.

 

[flatcreek]

You can get LED bulbs that are the same temp 2700K as incandescent. don't know if they are better or worse. I use one on a small boom and it seems to work ok.

 

[WALT53]

You can get LED bulbs that are the same temp 2700K as incandescent. don't know if the are better or worse. I use one on a small boom and it seems to work ok.

I second leds

 

[CascadeRob]

I don’t use LEDs on the work bench. I have 2 adjustable incandescent lights on the main bench. Plus 3 more smaller adjustable lights with incandescent bulbs that I can use if needed. I stocked up on incandescent bulbs years ago but my stock is getting thin. About 6 months ago I ordered a dozen 60 watt bulbs from Amazon to restock. They are getting scarce, especially anything more than 60 watts, but the light they give is superior by far, at least for my eyes. I’ve bought most of the lights at flea markets, usually with a good bulb.

I might have to pick me up a pack of them it sounds like.

 

[CascadeRob]

Check out the KIBLER VID on sanding and finishing the WR, Jim covers some light tips for sanding and such

Will do thank you!

 

[Tumbledown]

Three sets of double tube fixtures two led fixtures and two incandescent bulbs each controlled separately. And one led with magnifying glass on a boom. Sometimes it is beneficial to adjust the lights to make shadows to better show the contour of the work and expose scratches. Then take it outside on a sunny day to reinspect.

I saw a pic of an autobody shop with 12 or 16 overhead fixtures, in a grid pattern, all on independent switches. The light can be directed from any angle to highlight details as needed.

You definitely have the right approach.

 

[Sam squanch]

I have an outside workbench. Even under a shade tree, natural light is the best for me. But I don’t use it all the time!

 

[PluggedNickel]

Just curious what y’all are using for lighting on your workbenches? More so the bulbs. Since everything is in the world of LEDs it’s tough to find that “perfect lighting” I have an architect light coming in the mail and I was wondering what’s the best bulb to put in it? 2700k-3k LED? Or a daylight LED bulb? I have overhead shop lights, and they work for general lighting, but I need something to not cast shadows for finer sanding and filing.

I have a magnifier circle light, and and overhead Flood light. Both are on expanding extending arms that can rotate. Plus overhead LED shop light. Also natural light from the basement window.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Just curious what y’all are using for lighting on your workbenches? More so the bulbs. Since everything is in the world of LEDs it’s tough to find that “perfect lighting” I have an architect light coming in the mail and I was wondering what’s the best bulb to put in it? 2700k-3k LED? Or a daylight LED bulb? I have overhead shop lights, and they work for general lighting, but I need something to not cast shadows for finer sanding and filing.

I have a four foot fluorescent light over each of two work benches. This critter aims at whatever needs defining light.
Larry