Shop lighting question

[sitesby]

I am reworking my shop and currently have large Florissant lights, that seem to cause eye strain and I have been told that they do not reflect carving details well.
Does anyone have suggestion or comments regarding what type lighting is best for carving?

Jerry

http://woodcarving.sitesby.com

[squbrigg]

Re: Shop lighting question

I use a couple of gooseneck lamps, and position them as needed to provide light and shadows. One to the left, one to the right and a third straight ahead. Works for me.

Bob

[mark yundt]

Re: Shop lighting question

Well..in my shop I also use flourescent lighting. That's O.K. I think for general illumination. It's also cheaper to run. As far as eye strain goes,it doesn't really affect me,,but my wife in certain stores it does. You might try different bulbs,cool white/soft white/natural.Also I noticed as they start to burn out ( they get dark at the ends) they tend to pulsate or flicker a bit. When they start to do this they become irritating as well as using more energy ,so I'm told.
But as for actual carving I always use incandescent lighting in the form of swing arm lamps,usually two from opposite sides.I also have a variety of other lamps such as goose neck and small spots as I do various jobs.Using these,,and in various positions I can get the shadows to show up better as I'm carving . Shadows are what I want to see as that tells me how the piece will read. It also makes carving that much easier. If you try carving with the whole piece lit from just the front for example it doesn't read well and makes it difficult to see just what it is you 're doing.That's just how I do it.

[susieq]

Re: Shop lighting question

I agree with Mark, general lighting can be the florecent tubes. They make a wide range of different lighting in those. But at my work space, there is a clamp on "swing arm" light, I pull over my work as I need it. My work space is also near a window so that natural lighting is at my back while I work. Hard to beat natural light as long as it's at your back. The clamp on lights allow you to move them as needed for every job and you can pull them down close to the work or push them away if not needed. They're cheap too. Another plus.

[Anthony Filetti]

Re: Shop lighting question

Jerry,
I use a Dazor swing arm fleourescent lamp with "Natural" bulbs a little more expensive than most but not quite as expensive as an Ott light bulb (~$30). The Dazor lamps are probably the most durable and stay where you
put them (unlike some spring swing arm lamps that come crashing down). A new lamp costs well over $200 but can be picked up cheap on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/DAZOR-FLOATING-ARM-DRAFTING-DESK-TABLE-LAMP-P-2134_W0QQitemZ180167073544QQihZ008QQcategoryZ20700QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...this lamp style has been around since the 50's only because it is so durable.

As for incandescent lighting, I like the warm feel for when I am reading, but found that when I was finishing a piece that once the piece was brought into natural light the colors were not what I expected...

...just my 2 cents.

[sitesby]

Re: Shop lighting question

You have all, talked me into keeping my existing lights and to start the search for supplemental lighting that works best for me. I think I will stop into a light shop and e-bay to check out what is available.

Thanks you for you input.


Regards,
Jerry