So what would you have done different with your new shop?

jkflatt · Apr 5, 2018

On the lighting issue, I like the LED’s and been looking at these:
Robot Check

With my 40x40 shop, 10’ white metal ceiling, considering getting 12 - 8’ lights.

Think that is sufficient?
Thanks for all the advice!

jkflatt · Apr 5, 2018

Don’t know why my link above is showing up as “robot check”? Link works for me.

MossRoad · Apr 5, 2018

jkflatt said:
Don’t know why my link above is showing up as “robot check”? Link works for me.

That's what the robots want you to believe....

woodlandfarms · Apr 5, 2018

So my advice, take it for what it is worth, is not to buy those but go on Ebay and buy the same thing for a third or half less. So all LED's and fixtures are made in China. Just order directly from the source.

If you really want to save a bundle, you can try to make your own, cutting PVC in half and glueing in those LED Tapes. I have heard it is half as cheap again doing it that way.

One math thing I have readis the minimum for a shop is 30 lumens and upwards of 70 per sq ft. Your lights are 4500 per tube or 54000 lumens total. Your shop is 1600 sq ft so the minimum lighting is 48K lumens, so you are covered. For me I would do more, but thats cause I do everything with excess.

I think the tubes style is great for a low ceiling

MossRoad · Apr 5, 2018

If you paint the ceiling bright white, it'll reflect a ton of light back down, too. Dark paint and open rafters in the shadows gobbles up the light.

deanocraft · Apr 5, 2018

My wife used to work for Eaton, who makes those High bay lights linked to earlier. Counterfeit products are all over ebay... Beware, you may not be getting a legit product and you may not have any warranty. Just sayin...

crazyal · Apr 5, 2018

Here's my concept on lighting. Think of it as two types. One is a general lighting so when you come into your shop you can light it up enough to walk around easily but not worry too much about shadows. Then there's lighting for specific areas. Around my tool boxes I have both fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Often when I'm working on something outside or in the house and I know I'll be coming to get the occasional tool I just leave the fluorescent on. When I need to see well while digging through it to find a small tool I turn on the extra lighting. Any place I work I have extra lighting. I also have lighting on reels. Most everything I could find was the stuff that looks like a stick with a hook on the end. I bought reels with 12/2 wire and have electrical outlets with one of those simple portable halogen lamp on it. I'm in the process of making it so it'll connect easily to a tripod so I can position it where I want. It comes in really handy when I have a car up on my 2 post lift. I personally love reels, both air lines and electrical outlets/ lighting.

GSVette · Apr 5, 2018

I have 15 19.4k lumen, 139w(250w eq.) LED dome high bays being installed in my 40x60x14 shop in 5 rows of 3. Wasn’t especially inexpensive (around $2500 for fixtures, lens, hangers) but I expect to have more than adequate lighting at floor level that will likely outlast me

Big Barn · Apr 5, 2018

Budweiser John said:
A couple other things come to mind in the shop design and creature comforts department.

B. John

If possible leave room for an office/lounge area. You can always finish it at a later date.

I built mine at one end of the parts room. It's about 400 sq ft.