The lighting in George’s shop was due for an upgrade to LED lights. This video isn’t meant to be a comprehensive how-to, but more of an overview of the decisions George made when choosing his new LED workshop lights.
Looking at upgrading
George’s shop has 8’ fixtures that take two T12 bulbs, and 2’ x 4’ fixtures in a drop ceiling. When George first explored LED workshop lights he would have had to completely replace the 8’ fixtures with new LED fixtures. Very expensive. Today, 8’ LED bulbs that DON’T require a fixture change are available. When you install them you remove (and recycle) the ballast. Rewiring is pretty simple.
The drop ceiling side of the shop
On the drop ceiling side of the shop, which uses 2’ x 4’ fixtures, George did an experiment. In a couple fixtures he swapped out the fluorescent bulbs for LEDs. This requires a high speed ballast. He also completely swapped out a couple fluorescent fixtures for 2’ x 4’ LED fixtures. In the final analysis, he prefers the light that comes from these fixtures.
The gain
LEDs use less electricity than fluorescents, and are better able to fire up in cold environments. They’re also dimmable, if you get the right bulb, though that isn’t much of a benefit for a shop. Plus, LED bulbs should outlast all of us.
For your shop
Do some research, crunch the numbers, and see if an upgrade to LEDs is a bright idea for you.
More tips
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I also changed my fluorescent bulbs in my shop/garage to LED’s but found a couple I did went out after less than a year, I then ordered permanent LED fixtures from Amazon and installed…very happy so far
Fluorescent TUBE, not Bulb!
Hello,
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Sarah
Wood Workers Guild of America
Thanks! You just saved me more than the cost of membership of WWGOA.
Are you paying attention to the color of the led tubes? Meaning the heat color or kelvin temperature of the outputof visible light. Also, which color are you using?
Hi Jerry,
The bulbs I used (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FM77706/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=vondriskawood-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01FM77706&linkId=57516c24877445484fb8807a3718ee95) are 6500K . I pay attention to this because it jives with the color temp of the video lights we typically use.
Thanks
Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Thank you for the video. My 20’x20′ shop has fifteen two tube, four foot, fixtures and the LED replacement costs have been fairly expensive. If I can find them at somewhere close to the price you mention, you may have convinced me. By the way, Bud (down below), doesn’t leaving the ballasts hooked up negate some of the electricity savings?
Why does the ballast need to come out? Then do you have to desire it?
Hi Daryl. With the LED bulbs I used the ballast does not get used, so needs to be removed from the system. Final wiring is a neutral on one end of the new LED, and a hot on the other end.
Thanks
Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Hi I have changed my work shop tubes to led .All you need to do is disconnect the supply cables and reroot them to one end of the tube as marked on the LED tubes
Hello George, any advice from an expert about the best light color temperature to use in a woodworker’s shop? 2700K, 4500K or 7000K ? Thanks!
Hi Alberto,
Here is what our expert had to say:
It’s a matter of personal preference. Most of mine are full spectrum bulbs (5500K I believe) but others prefer cool white or daylight bulbs. I’d suggest trying some different bulbs in your shop environment to see what you like the best.
Paul
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or contact Customer Service at 1-855-253-0822.
Sincerely,
Codi
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
I am in the final stages of building my own shop, and this question about the K rating of the fixtures was one I debated over for a long time. I actually installed a bunch of 5000K fixtures in my current basement shop, and I have found that although they are very bright, I actually don’t like them. The problem I have is that the light glares badly from most chromed or satin finish measuring tools (mine is also a machine shop — micrometers and lathe dials are examples), enough so that it is very hard to read the numbers on them without a lot of extra effort. After talking to several tech reps from various lighting companies, I finally settled on 13,000 lumen 4000k fixtures for my shop. That should result in about 100-110 foot-candles of light at the working surface height of 34 inches, but the spectrum is more conducive to being kind to your eyes. Needless to say, I learned a lot more about how lighting quality is measured and how to lay out proper fixturing for a workspace than I ever dreamed was possible or necessary. If you are thinking about replacing fixtures in your shop, I would encourage you to take the time to talk to the experts, explain to them the size, shape and functions of the space you are working with, and see what they recommend to you. The answers might surprise you, both in terms of how many and how bright the fixtures will be.
Hello John,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
Thanks for your input. Yes, there is certainly a lot to learn about lighting.
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Sarah
Wood Workers Guild of America
George,
What did you mean by “the florescent lighting may fire if your shop is not heated”? Do you mean they may catch on fire?
Regards,
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
Here is what our expert had to say: No, he meant “light up”, not catch on fire. Some fluorescent bulbs will not operate at lower temperatures.
Paul
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or contact Customer Service at 1-855-253-0822.
Sincerely,
Codi
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
You can Get the 4 foot T-8 and T-12 on eBay a box of 25 just over $107 They change the same as your 8 foot bulbs Take out the ballast and Wire Directly, Note When you Buy the LED’s they Wire in one of Two ways, the Line “L” and the “N” either on one side of the Bulb or the L/line/Black on one end and the N/neutral/white wire on the opposite end, They come in 18 to 22 watts and from 3400k to 6000k choice of Milk or frosted Bulbs, Warm light or Cool white, Your 6000k is a pure white light and the Warm is a yellow light like the screw in tungsten E 26 bulb. I prefer the 22w cool White 6000K and it is the closest to Sun light in colir and it is Best for matching color when painting. https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-100-T8-22W-4ft-LED-Tube-4000K-6500K-Fluorescent-Replacement-Milky-Clear-Lens/263325044446?hash=item3d4f654ede:g:UBAAAOSwbeNdAh2f
Liked the video, I assume you used 4000K color led fixtures. You might want to look at https://www.e-conolight.com for the 2×4 replacements. They have good fixtures at reasonable prices.
I have two lamp 48″ industrial fluorescents, open with reflector. My plan is to install line voltage LED lamps in existing fixtures. I am having ballast failures regularly. Ang lamp replacement is just plain dumb when i can do line voltage bulbs.
In addition to this approach, there are now LED lamps that will directly replace standard T8/T12 bulbs without the need to remove or replace the ballast, even if the ballasts are not electronic. This is a very quick and easy way to upgrade now that they are available.
Good piece. Thanks. I added four LED 4′ lights in my garage shop. You only touched on it, but I’ve found that the lighting quality in my shop with the LEDs is delightful. Quite soft and don’t get that flicker that you see in florescent lights. Certainly better than the old incandescent lights.
I have changed 3 of 4 fixtures to led lights and I am quite happy with it.