Workshop Lighting Tips that Work

Obviously good overhead lighting is a must. If you are working in your garage this should be in place already. Make sure the overhead lighting is spread evenly to distribute light equally throughout your workshop.

Direct lighting is also a good idea to implement in your workshop lighting scheme. Direct lighting over workbenches and tools such as table saws and miter saws will allow better vision of the work being done. It is best to position these workshop lights in such a position that bending over the workbench or saw will not cause shadows. I would recommend the light be at a slight angle facing toward the area from the opposite side you will be standing.

A workshop light placed directly on the tool is the best to supplement your overall workshop lighting. Having a light on the tool allows for brighter focused light often positioned directly over the cutting area of the tool. Many tools come with a light such as drill presses, but additional tool lighting can be purchased and adapted to your equipment. Modern tools sometimes have laser lighting to assist in accurate cutting not necessarily aiding in lighting the area.

A head light is similar to the tool lighting but has the advantage of being directed from your point of view. Wearing the headlight also keeps your hands free to operate machines and hold the work piece. Some face masks come with a head light but a standalone headlight can also be purchased.

Another version of workshop lighting I have seen implemented is by building a flashlight holder into your clamps. It is cheaper to implement this yourself. By having a light on the clamp it is out of the way and can be positioned at just about every angle.

Portable drop lights make good temporary workshop lights. These are often very bright and can be adjusted up or down depending on your needs. It is often good to keep these lights at a distance of a few feet as they produce a good amount of heat.

Painting your walls and ceiling white is often overlooked but very efficient in diffusing light evenly across your workshop. Light colors reflect light better than dark colors. Also white or another light color is much more pleasant environment to work in.

Whenever possible use fluorescent lighting for your workshop. It is energy efficient, producing less heat which is safer for woodworking. Woodworking can be hard work and producing the least heat as possible is always a plus.

If you are in a pinch and do not have a clamp light or a tool light and someone is available. Have an assistant hold a good old fashioned flashlight for you. I know this was my job as a kid more times than I wanted.

The key to good workshop lighting is having the light on the work area without shadowing effects. You are going to achieve this best with multiple sources of light from different angles. It is not economical to have a hundred lights at every possible angle. Lighting for workshops is best to be planned out in the workshop setup process. If you have just thrown together a workshop in a preexisting space then use headlamps, in conjunction with tool and clamp lights to get the best workshop lighting for the buck.

Sources:

Personal experience

About.com - has a good section on woodworking and proper workshop lighting.