[gut]

: Hi guys, I've just moved into new digs, and now have a little more room to setup shop. I'm working with a clean slate here and would appreciate your recommendation/suggestions.

I'm setup in the basement and there is no external lighting. All I have at the moment is a 60 watt bulb. The room is 13X10, unpainted drywall on walls with uncovered (exposed joist) ceiling. I'm looking for good all around lighting... something that will eliminate shadows on the work bench and show colours well. At my age, the eyes aren't at their best, so eye strain is a concern.

Gut

[Kevin McGrath]

Depends whether you are going to finish the room or not of course,but its hard to beat overhead flourescent strip lighting,and you can check your tach on it too! A goose neck lamp or suspended fixture is good for really fine detail work.

[ratherbflyin]

Simple, assuming your leaving the ceiling open situate
2 - 3 fluorescent lights on the joists. 1 or 2 directly above
your work table and another behind you. You didn't state
the ceiling height but l'm guessing 8-10ft, don't bury them
between the joists. Use the two tube units, F40 is plenty.
Also paint the drywall with at least a white latex primer it will
really help and brighten the room up. IMO

[Vulcan1]

Gut,
Can't speak for the other guy's but I have my shop/garage painted with the walls a light ivory and the ceiling white. I also installed 3 rows full length (20') of double fluresant lights with the banks on separate circuits. It gives me lots of light and I can turn off some if I don't need them. As my other post to Andrew I am getting old also and need good lighting. What ever you set up don't scrimp on the number of fixtures.
Hope this helps.
John

[Brian Facey]

Florescent lighting is very good but if you want it to be colour effective and easy on the eyes with the bonus of being brighter, you need to get
Full Spectrum Florescent tubes. They are not cheap at $7+ a pop but they are worth every cent. You may have to check with a few lighting specialist shops to find them. Atlas lighting in Toronto carries these tubes.

Brian Facey

[ronm]

Brian is right on!!

Ask for "D", or "Daylight" tubes. They will give you the best light.

A wholesaler such as Guillevin, Gerrie Electric, Nedco, or Westburne will have them. You can get the fixtures there too!

Ronm

[gut]

Thanx for all the info, you can always count on this forum to get the answers you need...... Due to time and money constraints, the plan is to leave the drywall unpainted and the ceiling open for now. By the way the ceiling is 8' high. I still have to place the work bench, pegboards and shelves, then I'll position the lighting for best results. I'll have to get cracking or else the building season will have come and gone.

gut

ps. when done I'll post some pics... plus any more suggestions are welcome.

[aubej]

Check out Crappy Tire. They have a double fluorescent unit with chains to hang it and an extension cord attached for about $14.

Can't beat it.

Jason

[plncrzy]

I guess "daylight " is the same as full dpectrum ... that is what I have gon with, sure helps .... here in edmonchuck, we can get floresant fictures with a wire and plug in for ~20.00 the lights is what costs ... but its worth it.

[ronm]

Yes, Daylight is what they call full spectrum "Deluxe", it used to be C50 for full spectrum.

Ronm