Positioning workbench lights

Sevillian · Mar 3, 2021

I've worked out a good general lighting plan for my garage, but want to have task lighting over my workbench. Workbench will be 160" inches long, 24" deep, and 39" high. I'm planning on putting 2 48" 2-tube LED fixtures over it, or possibly 48" MaxLite light bars. My question is how far from the wall to mount the lights. Much more than 24" and I will create shadows standing in front of it, but going in too close and I'll be wasting light lighting up the tops of wall cabinets above part of the bench. Seems like 18"-22" inches would be the sweet spot, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has been down this road.

Shiftless · Mar 4, 2021

I don’t have cabinets over my workbench for just that reason.

For your case, I agree that 22 inches would be fine. Why not wire them up to extension cords for a while and experiment with spacing?

That’s a nice long bench you have planned. You have space for 3 of those 4 foot fixtures. Go for it!

Sevillian · Mar 4, 2021

Thanks! Based on my experience in my last house/garage, stuff and projects tend to accumulate on the workbench, and with this much length, there should be plenty of room. I also don't need any "locker-style" cabinets, as there are already built-ins on the back wall, so I figured I might as well have a nice long bench. As for the lights, yes, 3 48's would fit but they would real close together. I was thinking I'd have hard-wired flush-mounts, but I suppose I could just have a couple of switched outlets put in the ceiling and get hanging fixtures that I can experiment with, both as to position and height

sick467 · Mar 4, 2021

18-24 inches from the wall will be the sweet spot range, as you mentioned. Put the light elevation just above or at the tops of the cabinets, if your OK with hanging them from chains. I would lean towards the 24" mark if you are mounting directly to the ceiling.

Mine hang from chains and I recently moved them down about a foot-and-a-half or so from their previous position and there was a very noticeable difference in the amount of light at the bench.

More bench space at my shop would mean longer work times between having to stop and clear clutter and pick up tools...lol.

rdoty · Mar 4, 2021

I mounted the LED fixtures for task lighting on the bottom of the wall cabinets, toward the front of the cabinets. Plenty of light since the lights are close to the work surface and no shadows.

The LED lights are so light that I just used double sticky tape to hold them in place.

Sevillian · Mar 4, 2021

I would have considered under-cabinet lights, but the cabinets don't run the length of the bench; there's a window for ventilation and natural light. I know in terms of light, the closer the better, especially for those of us over a certain age, which makes me favor hanging fixtures. But the trade-off is not having to worry about banging into them with long pieces of wood or chrome trim etc. Decisions, decisions . . .

sick467 · Mar 4, 2021

I have added Dual LED spot lights out further from the wall (about 5 feet) for enhancing local bench areas. I really like them as my eyes are going on 52 year old. Some, I point at the bench while others focus on a common work area. My ceilings are 12 foot and I use the 120 watt equivalent LED spot lights. There are just right for warming up a 5 foot circle on the floor. per bulb. The ones I use can be adjusted somewhat (with a ladder and a screwdriver).

I worried about hitting mine at first, but it hasn't been an issue over the benches. Hang them low...you can always Hang'em High latter on.

Something cheap like this with LED bulbs....

Here's mine...

Sevillian · Mar 8, 2021

Sick467-

Thats a good idea, although I'm, hoping I won't need more light one I get a string of tubes above the bench. I've got several 4 ft fluorescent fixtures left over from my last garage that I can hang temporarily to see whether two fixtures is enough coverage, or if I need three. I know what you mean about old eyes; I've got a few years on you, although I have only in the last few years needed to keep reading glasses on my bench. I used to think nothing of reading spray can labels and wiring diagrams without any "assistance."

Shiftless · Mar 8, 2021

I have 4 foot twin tube fixtures on the ceiling augmented with those 120 watt equivalent LED flood light bulbs screwed into porcelain bulb holders about 3 1/2 feet above my main work bench. This works great for me. I haven’t broken one yet. If I do, they are very easily replaceable.
Here is a shot I took 2 years or so ago after I refinished the top. It doesn’t look nearly this clean now. In case anybody is wondering, that’s an IKEA counter top I got from a family who used to use it for a dining room and kids craft table. Solid wood. $35 well spent.

Shiftless · Mar 8, 2021

It’s not over a workbench, but I also use those outdoor floodlight holders in my basement room where I have built in shelves holding my bench vise collection.

Positioning workbench lights

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