Workshop lighting for the apartment renter

[Wenyce]

So I rent in an apartment complex, and the lighting is pretty horrible.

I was wondering what do u guys use for shop lighting, any recommendations.

There are some restrictions I have, I can't rewire anything, and can't install any lights on the ceiling that would cut into the ceiling. I know it's pretty limiting, The area I work in is about 13ft x 10ft (4 meters x 3 meters).

 

[Wooden Skye]

I have lighting issues in my shop as well.  My MFT is set up in a spot that for some reason gets bad lighting.  I went to HF and bought a little clip on Hologen light and that helped me a lot.  If you are unable to mount lights to a ceiling, you may need to look at different hologen or LED lights and maybe rig something that could be moved around and adjusted to fit your needs.

 

[elfick]

What about those 4' fluorescent shoplight deals that hang from a chain and plug into an outlet? If you can't even drill holes for hooks to hang a chain, you could create a freestanding gantry-type mount.

 

[tbellemare]

This sounds like a job for a SysLite on a tripod.

Tom

 

[Throwback7r]

Could build one or a few of these
http://viking79.blogspot.com/2010/05/diy-vertical-studio-fluorescent-lights.html

 

[tjbnwi]

Install cords and plugs on a couple of these. You can chain hang them or make a stand as Throwback7r posted.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-4-Light-T5-White-High-Output-Fluorescent-High-Bay-IBC-454-MV/202838871

Tom is correct about the Syslite on a tripod, I have 2 set ups, they work really really well.

Tom

 

[Wenyce]

I have lighting issues in my shop as well.  My MFT is set up in a spot that for some reason gets bad lighting.  I went to HF and bought a little clip on Hologen light and that helped me a lot.  If you are unable to mount lights to a ceiling, you may need to look at different hologen or LED lights and maybe rig something that could be moved around and adjusted to fit your needs.

I think that'll work great where u make the cut.

 

[Wenyce]

Install cords and plugs on a couple of these. You can chain hang them or make a stand as Throwback7r posted.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-4-Light-T5-White-High-Output-Fluorescent-High-Bay-IBC-454-MV/202838871

Tom is correct about the Syslite on a tripod, I have 2 set ups, they work really really well.

Tom

Thanks throwback that might be the solution or toms idea, but do u think that 1 syslite would fill that room well enough? I would imagine 4 or at least two at opposite corners? How is it that u have ur setup? Maybe a pic if it's not too much to ask?

 

[peter halle]

How high up is your ceiling and what is it made of?

Pter

 

[Wenyce]

About 7 ft, I'm pretty sure it's sheet rock.

 

[peter halle]

The reason I asked was to see if light fixtures (cheap) aimed at your ceiling and then reflected back done would help with general lighting.  By making a cheap box or two or three and using  fixtures like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-6-in-White-Recessed-LED-Trim-CER6730WH/203489880 you can get 65 watts of LED for 11 watts of power.  Throw in 50 bucks for other electrical stuff and you have movable, fairly intense, energy efficient lighting. 

You can find comparable light fixtures cheaper at Costco.  I just picked on up for about $18.

Peter

 

[jbasen]

Lee Valley makes a bushing that fits into a hole on an MFT and allows you to insert a common task light that you can get at office depot.  You can move the light anywhere on your MFT depending on what you need to best light your work or even remove it completely when it gets in the way.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=70534&cat=1,41637

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/687894/Realspace-Clamp-On-Task-Lamp-29/

Hope this helps

Jay

 

[Kev]

I'd probably do something with 12V LED lighting. Wedge a floor to ceiling length of timber in the corners and it gives you a lot of mounting options - and you could frame something overhead for the centre of the space if you need central downward lighting (could double as a vac hose support [smile]

 

[Throwback7r]

Could do a few of these for the price as well,

http://www.harborfreight.com/120-led-rechargeable-under-hood-work-light-60793.html

 

[Colonel Panic]

Don't use halogen, they are very hot. The vertical fluorescents look interesting but I would use fixtures with bulb protection. I'd hate to have to vacuum up glass bits due to an errant board.  [eek] 

 

[tjbnwi]

Don't use halogen, they are very hot. The vertical fluorescents look interesting but I would use fixtures with bulb protection. I'd hate to have to vacuum up glass bits due to an errant board.  [eek]

Due to the mercury, if you break a bulb you are supposed to follow haz mat protocols.

I just put the Syslite on camera tripods. The Syslites come with 1/4-20 inserts for this purpose. The lights in my garage/shop are 24 T-8 5200k fluorescent.

Tom

 

[Throwback7r]

could get some bulb sleeves for the fluorescence lights. Just another low cost idea.

 

[alpastor]

Hanging fluorescent shop lights such as these:

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-All-Season-Shop-Light-4-ft-2-Light-Grey-T8-Strip-Fluorescent-1242ZG-RE/202052422/

should work fine. Hanging them from the ceiling is really no different than hanging pictures on a wall. You will want to screw the hook bolt thru a joist, but the holes left when you take it down, when you move out, can easily be spackled if noticeable .

 

[Wenyce]

Thanks Guys I appreciate all the responses as always no better advice then a pros advice. Ima try making the floor stands and incorporating the lights onto that, I would like them stationary so against a wall is great and ima go LED on the bulbs. Again thanks for everyones suggestions.

 

[Wenyce]

Here's what I decided to go with its a 60 watt cfl bulb that says it pumps out close to the equivalent of a 300 watt light bulb, I love the light it puts out. I'm going to take the advice of some of u and make 2 stands and put em on opposite corners which should give me the result I want. Again thanks for all the suggestion guys/ gals.