New shop lighting

looks great, lighting is something many neglect/dont think about but makes such a hugh impact on your work flow, and ability to see the parts, and measurements.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

As my eyes get older I realize as some of you have I’m sure that good natural light or good artificial lighting can really help. In the shop I’ve got mucho lighting. It’s everywhere. I planned it that way. In my shop I don’t have old eyes. I can actually see the little numbers on my incra rule. Nothing more frustrating than guessing at a measurement and hopng you’re right.

It looks like you’ve found a solution for yourself. Interesting.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://web.me.com/deceiver6/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

Great job Don!

I’ve been a sucker for LED technology for the last 25 years but it is only now that they are becoming widespread.

Actually there are some good LED light panels out there. The only problem is, of course, the price. check these out, they are color calibrated and stable, widely used in TV sets.

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin

I have found that a mix of both types works best for me. The florescent lights give area lighting and the CFLs give more concentrated task lighting. I find the CFLs alone are too intense and create stark shadows. But in combination with the others, the florescents tend to soften the CFL intensity and wash out the shadows.

Least ways, that’s my very un-scientific belief.

But I really like your reflectors, Don. My CFLs are just in open ceramic screw-in base fixtures. I just might have to invest some time and make me some of those, I like the idea!

-- Dave; Lansing, Kansas

The reflectors were cut from cheap mirrors bought at Kmart or Walmart.
You will have to have a good glass cutter, though. If the cutting wheel slips the cut con’t break on line.
Don’t ask me how I know that! ;-)

By the way, this combination of two lamps and five mirror panels make for a sort of diffused light. If you look into the fixture it’s like you’re seeing eight CFLs!

d

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

Don, this is a nice idea. I have a similar situation in my shop as well. May have to look into this.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Good idea Don,
I do have 1 question, Did you use any heat relief vents in the top of the reflector?
I tried using a reflector of metal and didnt think about venting it, so what happened was the base of the cfl became yellowed and soon stoped working. I made two of them and checked the other cfl after being on for about 20 minutes and it was very hot.
After venting them they have yet to burn out and its been months now. Oh btw Lowes carries a 300 watt cfl and it uses about as much as a 60 watt incadesent bulb. You want light they give you lots of light on the cheap.
I think I will try your idea thanks.

-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.

Jim,

These CFLs don’t make very much heat. I didn’t make any vents because of that.
Besides, glass mirrors probably won’t go bad if they get a little heat.
But, time will tell won’t it?

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

Don,

I think Jim, is saying since heat rises and these bulbs life decreases greatly when they get hot, have you provided any way for that heat to escape from the reflector…sameway if you put a CFL in a typical globe enclosure it will probally only last a year or so even with small amount of use (like a pantry closet).

Don’t ask me how I know ;)

-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"

Well, I guess we’ll see.
Its too late to do any venting without major surgery.
I dated the installation, so I’ll know exactly how long the CFLs last.
This is only a prototype.

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

Very interesting innovation. Isn’t innovation the way we make progress? I’ve been reading this thread with interest as I am having a similar problem with declining eyesight (age related) and have suddenly had to resort to reading glasses or a magnifying glass to read smaller print or to read the small markings on a tape or ruler. Being someone that has never required glasses or lenses it is quite an inconvenience/problem. I find though that the more light available…the better I see and it also somehow even affects my mood in the shop (considering Seattle has a higher suicide rate – this is theorized that it is due to them having more dreary overcast days – it somewhat makes sense to some degree – but I will leave that to the theorists).

That said, I am researching ways of strengthing the light in the shop…and putting in a few skylights in the darkest areas. I have already installed windows in every wall available (which does cut down on my storage area available – a trade off I suppose). This appears to be another tool in the arsenal…..

Oh, and if you tend to lose pencils and straightedges in your shop….add magnifying glasses and or reading glasses to that….I seem to always be chasing them…LOL..

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

Great idea Don but what I want to know is ” were are the sketchup drawings for this fixture? ” :-) I my be stopping by Kmart this weekend for some of those mirrors, I know I could use some better lighting in my workspace.

-- Paul Sayre Creativity is a drug I cannot live without. Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Paul,
I didn’t work it out in SU. Being the impatient, impulsive kinda guy I am, I just worked out a drawing for the mirror cuts and then played everything else by ear – er- hand – or – whatever. ;-)

Here’s the mirror cutting diagram:

OK?

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

Paul,
I now have a fully worked out SketchUp drawing for the light.
Can I send it to you by email?

d.

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

I’ve finally learned how to make a reflective surface and light sources, thanks to DaveR.

So here’s my latest photo rendering of the CFL ceiling lamp.

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

And with the lamps out:

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

Ain’t SketchUp GREAT?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?