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Author Topic: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?  (Read 2001 times)

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Offline ntvbowyer1969

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What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« on: March 20, 2018, 11:46:42 pm »
Hello everyone, My question and discussion for today is what type of shop light does everyone use. The older i get and the less my eyes work like they used to i am in search for a better light to help my eyes out. I noticed the last couple of bare bows i did with no skins and backing i am seeing some spots where i didnt get the scraping lines out of the back. This is with intense sanding and burnishing. They dont usually appear until i have a few coats of finish on them. I was wondering does anyone have a light or a trick to see the scraping marks before its too late? I usually pick the bow up and turn it at different angles to try and see rough spots. I thought about mounting a light on the side wall of bench but i thought i would ask what everyone else uses. Right now i rely on florescent shop light directly above bench.
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Offline Del the cat

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2018, 02:55:04 am »
Whenever I replace any light fittings in the house, I re-use 'em in the workshop... can't have too many lights. Mostly florescents  but I keep some old filament buds to put it to my moveable workbench lamp, when I need some warmth of some epoxy etc.
Can't beat natural light especially when finishing. Spring is on the way (or so I've been promised)
Del
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Offline stuckinthemud

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2018, 03:38:43 am »
I avoid ambient light, using a single strong light above my window so the lighting direction over my bench remains constant. I don't use flourescents as they give me a head ache. A single light source highlights high spots and hollows by casting strong shadows. I even shut the door to prevent side lighting when doing finish work
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Offline Will B

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2018, 06:09:35 am »
I used to have two bulb, four-foot long fluorescent shop lights in my shop.  I switched them out with four-foot LED shop lights and am very pleased with the improved quality of the lighting.  I highly recommend them as well as natural lighting.
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Offline JWMALONE

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2018, 06:12:57 am »
Wipe it down with some paint thinner or alcohol and shine a really good flashlight on it. I do that when refinishing furniture, work great. Got a buddy that uses a big giant magnifying lamp with a light, that should work great for something the size of a bow, just for checking the finish sanding before you start the finish.
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Offline High-Desert

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2018, 08:11:38 am »
I use LED, but I always look the bow over in natural daylight, that will tell you the most.
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Eric

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2018, 08:13:37 am »
 
Quote from: Will B on March 21, 2018, 06:09:35 am
I used to have two bulb, four-foot long fluorescent shop lights in my shop.  I switched them out with four-foot LED shop lights and am very pleased with the improved quality of the lighting.  I highly recommend them as well as natural lighting.

x10
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Offline osage outlaw

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2018, 08:43:08 am »
Currently I have 4' fluorescent lighting.  This summer I plan on switching over to LED bulbs.   
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Offline ksnow

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2018, 09:16:28 am »
Same here as Outlaw.  I have two, double bulb 4 foot fluorescent fixtures right over my shavehorse/bench area. I plan to switch to LED's soon.  Before finishing I always check the bow over in natural light.

Kyle
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Offline DC

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2018, 09:29:25 am »
I'm in the same boat as you. Try as I might I still end up with a tool mark or two. Now I treat the first couple of coats of finish as a test. I fully expect to sand off a few spots. The best way to find imperfections is to finish it. Just go with that. Probably easier a cheaper than changing out all the lights. I use Minwax Tung oil. Dries quickly, sands easy and matches well well you miss a mark.
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Offline pnwarcher

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2018, 09:59:07 am »
Same as Will and Pearl for me. I have four sets of dual-tube 4ft LED shop lights. Cool white 4100K with good color-rendering index. I also use a couple 100W-equivalent bulbs in those aluminum reflector fixtures for task lighting and under-lighting to minimize shadows when using the tillering tree.
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Offline ntvbowyer1969

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2018, 10:45:36 am »
Thank you everyone.
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Offline Hawkdancer

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2018, 12:27:36 pm »
I have switch over to almost all 4' LED fixtures in the working area, with 2 hung over the bow bench, and 2 sort of flanking it, as well as 2 moveable reflector LEDs over the table saw.  Haven't figured out how to convert the old fixtures to led yet.  I think I have 2 more to switch out.
Hawkdancer
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Offline vinemaplebows

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2018, 06:50:00 pm »
All LED, way to go in my opinion.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: What kind of lights does everyone use in their shops?
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2018, 07:13:27 pm »
When I made the switch over I found stuff in my shop I never knew existed  :)
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