My new old bench- Lighting Suggestions

[Paticus]

Hello everybody, this is my first post but definitely not my first time on this forum. There are so many good ideas and interesting topics I had to join.

Anyways I wanted to share my current workbench project and was hoping to get some suggestions on adding electricity and lighting to it.

(Click to enlarge)

Condition of bench day 1 (bench was given to me), full of water and rusted out:


Stripping the paint (WHAT A PAIN), knocking off the rust (angle grinder with wire wheel)


Painted, Custom legs using 1" threaded rod (my garage is not level), With new 3/4" plywood tops and fabricated welding table. I used an oxy acetylene torch with R45/60 rod for everything


STILL TO ADD: steel pegboard to the back

As you can see my garage is pretty dark. I am looking for lighting suggestions on or around my table. THANKS!!

 

[Steve91T]

Welcome! That's one thing I had, a sturdy work bench.

I have a simple light over my folding work bench. It lights up the pegboard nicely as well. The light is wired to the rest of the garage lights, so they all come on with one switch.

 

[akdiesel]

Nice start for a bench. The upper shelf section may be to low to function as a peg board system. You will end up kneeling down to see and get to the upper items on the peg board.
For lighting, you could use the same shelf to house an LED strip light that has the 5050 led's. This will give good lighting at that height.
The shelf seams to be at the wrong height all together though. If you could relocate the shelf to about 24" above the bench top.
For electrical outlets you should use some sort of distribution. Can't remember what they are called but lowes and home depot sell some. I installed Unistrut outlets with in the channel for a mor custom look.

 

[Paticus]

The upper shelf section may be to low to function as a peg board system. You will end up kneeling down to see and get to the upper items on the peg board.

You are dead on about the top shelf height. Peg board would be pretty useless, especially because I am 6'5" I would be bending over to find tools. I will check out the LED strips.


I was also thinking 3 gooseneck lights mounted on that bottom shelf that way I can have the light come up and out a little bit more.

 

[akdiesel]

The goose neck light work great for task lighting but I would think only one would be needed by the area you are sitting at.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

You could also cut off the shelf, weld in 2 quick extension struts and weld the shelf back on at a more comfortable height. -Then go with some under shelf lights...

 

[Paticus]

You could also cut off the shelf, weld in 2 quick extension struts and weld the shelf back on at a more comfortable height. -Then go with some under shelf lights...

That is a good thought. I was also thinking throwing steel pegboard on the back and having it rise above the top shelf so I have pegboard flexibility below and above the shelf.

For anybody interested, this website has a pretty good deal/options on steel pegboard: http://diamondlifegear.com

Regarding the lights, LED strips sound good but unless I raise that shelf, I think they wont have good coverage. Maybe 2 or 3 of these adjustable lights mounted on the front of the shelf may be a good solution:

 

[fergus]

How tall is that thing? I'm 6'2" and my bench is 40" tall, its so much better than other shorter benches I've had. Now though, I'm wishing it was a little taller...

 

[Paticus]

How tall is that thing? I'm 6'2" and my bench is 40" tall, its so much better than other shorter benches I've had. Now though, I'm wishing it was a little taller...

It's 40", however I have another 12" of threaded rod left on each leg if I want to raise it up more muahaha