September 2011 Wood News Online Welcome to Highland Woodworking - Fine Tools & Education Learn more about Highland Woodworking View our current woodworking classes and seminars Woodworking articles and solutions Subscribe to Wood News

 




by Steven D. Johnson
Racine, Wisconsin


(Page 3 of 4)
Previous Page  1  2  3  4  Next Page 




Another Enlightening Question From Readers

Figure 4 - I thought this wall light looked sturdy and cool,
and it only cost $11!

The second most prevalent question has been about my choice, methodology, and design for lighting. The short answer is, "lots of it." There was no real design, per se, to the lighting other than to hopefully provide more lighting than necessary and then add additional lighting above the locations where my workbench and drill press will be located. I have always had a hard time seeing clearly at the drill press.

In the main shop area there are eleven 4-foot long fluorescent fixtures, each with two 32-watt bulbs generating (claimed) 2950 lumens each. Above the entry door, I installed a circular fluorescent fixture with two bulbs putting out a total of 2975 lumens. The fixture was a clearance item that I got for $30, including bulbs. I had a three-light spotlight fixture purchased for a former house and that was never used. I "repurposed" that fixture and installed it above the future location of my drill press. The individual spotlights can be turned and aimed as needed. There is a wall sconce light mounted just inside the double door, and several windows produce a nice bit of indirect natural light during the day.


Figure 5 - Repurposed floodlight fixture throws light on the
stairs and down on the eventual location of my drill press.

In the big box store there were several options for fluorescent fixtures. My favorite was a white fixture with a large reflector. Interestingly, they have two versions of the same light. One includes a pull chain switch, a plug-in power cord, and the "S" hooks and chains you need to hang the fixture. The other is meant for direct wiring and has no pull chain switch, no power cord, and no mounting hardware. The direct wire version sells for $10 more. No one could fathom the reason for this apparent pricing anomaly.


Figure 6 – Shop lights mounted and plugged
into a switched outlet assures future flexibility
and saved a few bucks!

Internally, both lights are identical. Both have the same electronic ballast, which is important if your shop gets cold. These ballasts will start up the fluorescent lights when the temperature is well below freezing. Conventional ballasts often will not work in these conditions.

Eleven lights at a savings of $10 each helped me make the decision to go with the plug-in version. I wired up electrical outlets in the ceiling on two circuits (zones). The lights are permanently mounted, no chains and "S" hooks. Both lighting zones are controlled by wall switches mounted just inside the door. With just two switches I can turn on all the overhead lights in the shop, but I still have the flexibility of turning off specific lights when not needed by virtue of the mostly unused pull chain switches.

At some point in the future, I may do a little research into footcandles and lumens and maybe even borrow or buy a light meter so I can see if my "guesstimates" were correct. For now, though, the shop and my lighting "design" seem very bright.


(Page 3 of 4)
Previous Page  1  2  3  4  Next Page 




Return to Wood News front page


Highland Woodworking Social Media Take a look at the Highland Woodworking Facebook Page Check out the Highland Woodworking Twitter Page View the Highland Woodworking YouTube Channel Pin from the Highland Woodworking Pinterest Page Connect with the Highland Woodworking Instagram Page Read the Highland Woodworking Blog

Highland Woodworking
1045 N. Highland Ave. NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30306
Tel. 800-241-6748

Email us at email@highlandwoodworking.com
Visit us on the web at www.highlandwoodworking.com


Copyright © 2017 Highland Hardware, Inc.

Errors regarding pricing and specifications are subject to correction.
SOME SALE QUANTITIES MAY SELL OUT and become unavailable at the advertised price.