Need workbench lighting opinion

[allinon72]

Just built a shelf over what will be my workbench (haven't built it yet), but I want to add some lighting under the shelf. I was originally going to do some recessed lighting, but I don't think I'll be able to due to clearance issues. I've decided to go with an industrial type of light, which one do you guys like?

1.

2.

3.

They will be mounted underneath the storage shelf:

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Two words.... fluorescent strip.

Charles

 

[dittle fart around]

The shelf must be pretty far up from the workbench. I'm all about the fluorescent fixture.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I like #1. I think the shallower the better for that application.

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

Of those 3, #1 matches the interior better. More of a rougher look. The other brushed finishes don't really fit in, IMO.

 

[PCO6]

I have light #1 over my parts washer and I like it. I put a plastic cage over the light bulb to protect it from me banging things into it.

 

[Falcon67]

I like 4' flo strips for task lighting.

 

[whatuusay1]

I've been looking at LED options for my workbench lighting.. admittedly its more expensive but its slim and power efficient.

http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=750

 

[Gary S]

I agree with everybody else who suggested the florescent strip lights. Over a workbench, you want the light spread evenly the length of the bench. It is very difficult to do that with the lights you posted pictures of.

 

[bczygan]

You need light to illuminate the top of the tool box and anything in it's drawers when opened. You also need light on the shelf of the shelving unit being used as bench space as well as light to see what is in the parts drawers. Take an 8' fluorescent or 2 4' florescents and plug them in and locate them in different places while you see how the lighting is for those tasks. 2 separate 4' fixtures will probably work better as you can locate them differently. I would get fixtures without reflector shades and mount them on the front of the bottom of the wood storage shelf. You could hide them with a piece of 1x8 attached to the edge of the shelf and hanging down below it. Put the base of the fixture on the back face of the 1x8 so the fixture points toward the rear. Paint the back of the 1x8 white or cover with reflective material for more light reflectance. An "L" shaped piece of white aluminum coil stock wrapped around the side and back of the fixture would do this nicely too.

 

[DoyleDee]

I like #1. I think the shallower the better for that application.

You have seen what Jack built haven't you? I'm sure you could make them cheaper than buying and then have the cool "points" with your friends.

 

[allinon72]

Of those 3, #1 matches the interior better. More of a rougher look. The other brushed finishes don't really fit in, IMO.

Keep in mind that the garage will be fully drywalled, including the shelf.

 

[allinon72]

I think I want to go with fluorescent, thinking about this fixture: