Workshop Questions

[Classic Bronco Guy]

Hey All,

I have been reading a lot on this forum - great information. Especially from Platonic, what a wealth of info! I have a new workshop 26' x 32' x 14' that needs lighting. I have read about the best light fixture ever - sounds great. But I have a couple questions.

1. Why don't people use 8' fixtures? It seems that 4' fixtures are the norm.

2. It seems 5000K is the standard for shop lights. I was thinking I want to go 4000K. Is this wrong?

3. Is it best to run all the fixtures parallel or have some that intersect?

Thank you in advance for any feedback.
Bronco Guy

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

It all depends on your needs. What type of work you will be doing, location of specific tools or machines, and budget. Continuous strip lights might be overkill so 4' units spaced 4 to 8 feet apart may be just right for you. Some want good light on benches and tools, ceiling units are to keep you from tripping over stuff. Lay out your garage on paper and think about shadows and shelves and stuff that would hinder the light from reaching its target. Design the wiring so it is flexible for future expansion changes. One friend put outlets in his ceiling on a 8' square pattern. Outlets are switched on wall. Hangs lights on chains and can adjust as is needed. Good luck.

 

[cybrdyke]

1. A few reasons. 8' lamps and fixtures are a pain to move around and it's usually a 2 man job to hang them. They normally get busted in shipping. You can put a 2' space between 4' fixtures without sacrificing any light loss on the target, essentially making it a 10' fixture.
2. Strictly your preference. If you prefer 4000, then use 4000. There is no right or wrong.
3. Parallel. There's no advantage to intersecting lights unless you have obstacles like a car lift or large machinery.
Good luck,
CD

 

[matt_i]

1. Why don't people use 8' fixtures? It seems that 4' fixtures are the norm.

It is because UPS Ground won't ship an 8 foot long object, which kills any possibility of eCommerce sales. Same reason all manufacturers discontinued 51" shovel handles in favor of 48"-ers. Which is a back killer to a tall person.

 

[Classic Bronco Guy]

OK. 4' fixtures it is. How far apart do I space them? How far apart from the walls?

 

[PhysicsDude]

4000K, 4500K, and 5000K are all popular choices. Its more personal preference than anything else. Make sure to note the CRI of whatever lights you choose. The CRI is basically the quality of the light spectrum. You preferably want >80.


Can you clarify your question on running lights "in parallel or intersect"? Are you asking about what pattern to mount the lights? multiple parallel rows or more like a checker box? Generally mounting them in parallel rows is best and most practical, but it may work out best to mount them in a perpendicular direction in some cases, such as directly behind a garage door while its opened, etc. Depends on the layout of your shop and where you will be needing the most lighting.

 

[cory58]

OK. 4' fixtures it is. How far apart do I space them? How far apart from the walls?

When I started building my shop I read the entire Light Fixture Layout sticky and learned a lot. I eventually settled on a modified version of a layout PS did for a garage similar to mine.

I am happy with the results. If you are interested, I posted pictures in post #1461 of the Best Light Fixture sticky and answered some questions a few posts later.

Cory


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Falcon67]

1. Why don't people use 8' fixtures? It seems that 4' fixtures are the norm.

2. It seems 5000K is the standard for shop lights. I was thinking I want to go 4000K. Is this wrong?

3. Is it best to run all the fixtures parallel or have some that intersect?

Thank you in advance for any feedback.
Bronco Guy

1 - I did because I didn't want to wire and mount 30 4' fixtures. The 8' 4 bulb fixtures I used were only $40/each.

2 - 4000K is too orange for my personal preference. I use 6500K Daylight.

3 - whatever works for your space. In my 24x28 work space, there are 3 long ways left and right and 2 fixtures down the middle at 90 degrees to those.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Missing info:
location and size of garage doors
ceiling & wall finish
purpose of space and hrs./week it will be used for that purpose
Desired fixture mounting and height (hanging + height or flush mount at 14')
visual acuity of occupants
budget (preliminary estimate ~$1000 for 93fc @ 30" work plane)

 

[Classic Bronco Guy]

Missing info:
Garage Door: 16x12 in the middle of 26' wall
Ceiling/Walls: plywood
Purpose: Work on cars and storage. Storage and work benches will be 2-3' deep along both of the 32' sides
Fixture: Hanging at 12'
Visual Acuity: old man eyes
30" work plane