So, you either have a garage or workshop but it’s poorly lit. Perhaps your still using one bulb in the center of the garage or shop that was put in when it was built. Here are a few tips on improving the lighting within your shop.
The simplest idea is obvious, an extension cord with some drop lights. This however can get a bit dangerous as it makes a trip hazard if the cords aren’t out of the way. Plus if your already using the cord to use your shop equipment such as saws and drills this could create fire hazards.
Something my Grandfather did with his garage that helped a great deal was had an electrician come in and install power outlets strategically placed where he’d have equipment, as well as lighting. He installed a small 32-watt 2 light florescent shop light directly over his primary work bench. This allowed him ample light for the kind of work he does, as well as gave him the electricity to elsewhere. These fluorescent shop lights can be found at most hardware stores such as Lowes or Home Depot. I’m sure one may even find a less quality product at the local Wal-Mart as well, but for quality I would suggest other establishments. The “UtiliTech 2-light 32-Watt T8 Fluorescent Shop Light” is found at Lowes for $49.98. (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId;=66374-337-GL320&lpage;=none). Placing these lights in strategic areas where a lot of light is needed will give you a lot of power requirements.
Utilitech also makes a smaller portable work light that is much brighter and direct than a fluorescent overhead light. For roughly 13.00 through Lowes ( http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId;=246900-52757-WL250CL4-L&lpage;=none) one can utilize these lights either on the shop floor to give you some extra light on the ground, they can also easily be mounted permanently to the shop walls by a bit of strapping and creative maneuvering. One could even mount them so they could be moved or rotated to position the light where required.
Here’s a light improving and energy saving tip for improving light in your shop or garage. If you have the finances I would strongly suggest installing some windows within the shop or garage. If properly installed in proper locations one can utilize daylight to assist in lighting their shop. Not only does this provide extra light, but with this you won’t have to turn on any extra unnecessary lights. Saving money for other more important things, like more tools or projects to work on.
When I worked with Electronic Recycling, rather when I started with it. The shop I was in was a poorly wired basement that had one light in the middle. I didn’t have the funds nor the permission of the landlords I was renting from to do such an endeavor with outlets and such. So I was forced to improvise. Utilizing the brightest light bulb we could find with the wattage we had. Luckily Christmas had just passed so my wonderful girlfriend, now wife, made a suggestion of using Christmas lights to give us just a bit more light. I bought a couple sets of lights, one was the net lights used to go over bushes and such. We hooked it to the ceiling and ran an extension cord carefully across the basement. Utilizing a couple other sets of the led style lights we lit the basement OK. I had the idea of putting tin foil or something very reflective behind them to provide more light. Remember that a lot of light is lost upwards, redirecting it downwards can improve lighting greatly. This includes light outdoors.
Utilizing lights carefully and safely one can light their shop adequately and efficiently.
