Lighting my new home workshop.

[Sgoaty]

Im in the process of getting a steel building 6m x 12m with a 4m ridge height put up in my garden for use as a home workshop and im trying to decide how to light it.

I originally thought about 6 evenly spaces twin flourescent fixtures but I seen these for sale local to me and wondered if I could use a few of these instead if not can anyone offer me a bit of advice on getting the place well lit up please.
Thanks
Scott

8 lights for large shed or warehouse, metal halide light £200

these are part of a larger order and I only needed 8 lights myself and these are left over, they are in good condition and should all be working, they come complete with bulbs,

 

[madkayaker]

You haven't really got the hight for those. Plus lamps control gear etc is very expensive when they stop workingsworkings

 

[brightspark]

stick with 6ft twin flouros, as said u havent the height for metal halide and the light of them is verry intense

 

[Pete.]

Yup strip lights all the way. Paint the walls white.

 

[Robotstar5]

Yup strip lights all the way. Paint the walls white.

Unless you're going to be welding in there.

 

[500e]

No insulation ?? oh dear

 

[Sgoaty]

Unless you're going to be welding in there.

The inside of the box profile is white already. What did you mean by this?
Cheers
Scott

 

[Sgoaty]

No insulation ?? oh dear

Thats not a picture of my shed but mine wont have insulation either. It was going to pretty much double the price of the building if i bought it with the kit. Im going to give it a go as is for a year or 2 and if its no use ill keep an eye out for insulated sheeting to change it out.

 

[brightspark]

The inside of the box profile is white already. What did you mean by this?
Cheers
Scott

more than likely when your welding the white walls will give of a lot of reflected light

 

[Henrik]

more than likely when your welding the white walls will give of a lot of reflected light

Ugh, my garage has white walls, and I now have to wear a welding cap/hat when welding, as otherwise I get sunburnt on my bald spot, and I also have to use a scarf to block the light from under the mask...

 

[jackjosh]

I have 3 x 6ft tubes in mine and it works fine, I have a few plug powered lights that clip on as well for specific areas.

 

[Pete.]

You can put a screen behind where you are welding to stop the worst of the reflection, but having light coloured walls will make a big difference to the overall light levels in your workspace.

 

[Robotstar5]

The inside of the box profile is white already. What did you mean by this?

Welding areas are best painted matt black to stop reflected flash, doesn't help you trying to light the place though

 

[penfold]

Welding areas are best painted matt black to stop reflected flash, doesn't help you trying to light the place though

You could have black roller blinds or moveable welding curtain to reduce reflection; black walls mean the space is only any use for welding as you can't see properly.

 

[Robotstar5]

You could have black roller blinds or moveable welding curtain to reduce reflection; black walls mean the space is only any use for welding as you can't see properly.

We usually had a 5' twin fitting over the workbench in our weld booths, even had to add a couple 2' single fittings to some.

 

[ronan]

I don't know how well up on computers you are, but there is free lighting design software (link below) to help you work out what lamps and fittings you need for your sized building.

http://www.dial.de/DIAL/en/dialux/features.html

http://www.dial.de/DIAL/en/dialux.html

 

[norlander]

I've got strip lights like most folks-pretty good for general lighting. I have mounted LED spots over one of my workbenches which is where my vice and bench grinder are. I have fixed plastic covered steel cable using those tensioners across the shop and I hook an led inspection lamp up on that and slide it to light up some jobs, I also hook an extension lead up there sometimes-avoids another cable on the floor.I use the carabiner type snap hooks (the type of thing some people use to clip their keys to their belt loop) to attach the lamp or lead.
On insulation you can probably add that as you go according to your budget-you should be able to attach it to the panels direct using double sided carpet tape.Be aware of flammability of any insulation you add.
Again, if your budget will run to it I would add expanded metal sheets to the uprights-this increases the amount of time it takes for a scumbag to cut an entry into your workshop and nick your gear-you can hang kit off the expamet.

 

[rich r]

I agree - strip lights for general illumination, then LED or halogen spots over workbenches as required to provide more light for close up work. You can turn these off when you don't need them.

 

[RonMig]

the fluorescent lights in my garage and shed trigger my light-reactive helmet (parweld xr915h); flickers on and off like crazy, can't see a thing... is partly why I always weld outdoors

 

[Shox Dr]

I can't help you on the lights ( I hate strips they never last long)

But if I was you I'd insulate as many wall as you can, leaving the south facing to last, and starting with the roof, as I doubt you will never replace that once fitted.

It will be a best money you will spend on the job. oh and don't forget the slab