Getting closer sort of, to wrapping up all exterior work on shop. A lot of blocking to do inside yet and building a smaller shop inside of shop and bathroom yet. Started thinking about lighting and with 14' high ceiling not overly excited about spending a bunch more time on step ladders. SO looking at just installing light bulbs on the walls at a easy twelve foot height and appropriate spacing. The dreaded ceiling would get a row down the middle so with the shop being 34' wide, I'm thinking with interior painted a good white it should be pretty good? Any thoughts?
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Light bulbs
- Thread starter Sturgeon
- Start date
Borntoolate
Well-known member
I had a similar sized shop (33'x33'). I went with 20 4' long LED double shop lights. My ceiling was 16' I hung them roughly at that height all around in 4 rows of 5 each.
But here's the thing. I borrowed some rolling scaffold and frankly was not very happy with it's stability. In the end I rented a JLG towable man lift to hang all the lights. This worked GREAT and was super safe. And kinda cool and fun as well! I had to place it in only two spots to get the whole shop completed. Now you need a large roll up door to get it inside.
I think this was a 27' reach JLG. There are other brands than JLG by the way... It may have been 34' but I don't recall. You can also get a lot of work done around the house safely and easily if you have trees to trim, gutters to clean, outdoor light bulbs up high to change etc... Go for the "towable" version since this will save a fortune on delivery and pick up charges unless you have access to a substantial flatbed trailer. If you have neighbors that might need to make use of one of these you might be able to split the costs up. Rent on Friday late and bring back on Monday morning is the best deal that I almost always take advantage of at most rental places.
But here's the thing. I borrowed some rolling scaffold and frankly was not very happy with it's stability. In the end I rented a JLG towable man lift to hang all the lights. This worked GREAT and was super safe. And kinda cool and fun as well! I had to place it in only two spots to get the whole shop completed. Now you need a large roll up door to get it inside.
I think this was a 27' reach JLG. There are other brands than JLG by the way... It may have been 34' but I don't recall. You can also get a lot of work done around the house safely and easily if you have trees to trim, gutters to clean, outdoor light bulbs up high to change etc... Go for the "towable" version since this will save a fortune on delivery and pick up charges unless you have access to a substantial flatbed trailer. If you have neighbors that might need to make use of one of these you might be able to split the costs up. Rent on Friday late and bring back on Monday morning is the best deal that I almost always take advantage of at most rental places.
Getting closer sort of, to wrapping up all exterior work on shop. A lot of blocking to do inside yet and building a smaller shop inside of shop and bathroom yet. Started thinking about lighting and with 14' high ceiling not overly excited about spending a bunch more time on step ladders. SO looking at just installing light bulbs on the walls at a easy twelve foot height and appropriate spacing. The dreaded ceiling would get a row down the middle so with the shop being 34' wide, I'm thinking with interior painted a good white it should be pretty good? Any thoughts?
nadogail
Well-known member
When I changed from Incandescent Light Bulbs to LED lamps, bulb replacement became a very rare event.
scooterbum46
Well-known member
You must not buy FEIT brand...When I changed from Incandescent Light Bulbs to LED lamps, bulb replacement became a very rare event.
Most light fixtures aren't really designed for wall mounting. Doesn't mean you cant do it, it just means that it doesn't spread the light in the right direction. The only real use for wall mounted lighting in a garage is if you do lots of auto detailing or painting.Thanks for the replies, all food for thought. Even quality lighting high on the wall I think for my needs would be a better option. Lift/ scaffling might be best option, anything right now beats a ladder.
CD
I'm in the same spot you are right now with lighting and 14' ceilings and I will either hire it out or rent a man lift to do it. Ladders are not out of the question, but I am going the 8' route with my LED strip lights and will need another person to help me out. I would not consider putting lights on the walls unless I had them recessed and I was lighting a body shop.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Rates vary around the country, but I could rent a scissor lift for $192.00 per day or $350.00 for a week without delivery. I would get one on a Friday and plan on returning it on Monday. If the job wasn't finished, big deal finish it up during the week. If it still isn't completed, the monthly rental is $665. I own one, but if I didn't, I'd rent one all the time. They can make two weeks worth of ladder ceiling work turn into two hours.
A one man lift isn't worth a pinch of $h!t for installing fixtures. With a scissor lift, you have a platform anywhere from 6' to 12' long to walk back and forth on to run the screws in. Mine is right at 10' when stretched out. The last shop I wired with 16' ceilings had three rows of eight 8' and one 4' strip (52' total length) coupled together. In eight hours I was able to install all of them and had two rows operating as well as the wire pulled through the third row, which was up and running in about an hour the next day. If I'd been using a ladder, it would have taken a week.
I would also go the LED tube route. When a lamp fails, and it will, all that is needed is a 12' step ladder or a braver than me person on a 10 footer to go up and change the lamp.
A one man lift isn't worth a pinch of $h!t for installing fixtures. With a scissor lift, you have a platform anywhere from 6' to 12' long to walk back and forth on to run the screws in. Mine is right at 10' when stretched out. The last shop I wired with 16' ceilings had three rows of eight 8' and one 4' strip (52' total length) coupled together. In eight hours I was able to install all of them and had two rows operating as well as the wire pulled through the third row, which was up and running in about an hour the next day. If I'd been using a ladder, it would have taken a week.
I would also go the LED tube route. When a lamp fails, and it will, all that is needed is a 12' step ladder or a braver than me person on a 10 footer to go up and change the lamp.