I recently moved to a garage without good lighting. It looks like the ballasts on both 8ft fixtures are shot. I was getting ready to hang some new fluorescent fixtures when I started thinking this would be a good time to get something better. Is halogen conducive to working with colors or are the brighter fluorescents OK? What about metal halide? Seeking comments/advice.

I was just wondering about lighting myself- need to figure out something that's portable and doesn't put big holes in the ceiling.

Phil

Phil,
If you're looking for portable lighting check out the Ott-Lite. I have 2 which are placed at each end of the work table. They’re a bit pricey, but the light they give off is fairly natural and moderately bright. I'm not aware of any sponsors that sell them but joann.com has a large selection.

- Sam

Good info, will check into, thanks. I'm guessing you got the True-Color series?

Thanks. Hope I didn't derail the thread.

Phil

T-5 flourescents are great. More light output vs. power consumption than regular bulbs. Most of the fixtures I have seen also have digital ballasts. That means no noise. They also have a wide variety of soft and bright colors.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2005 11:36PM by Robert Borgsmiller.

Yes, they're the True-Color series.

- Sam

Hi Leon: I have a track light mounted above my bench with halogen lights. One advantage to the track light is that if for some reason I'm working on a much longer rod than I normally do, I can adjust the lighting accordingly.

Best regards, Pat Doyle

Does the halogen produce a lot of heat??

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Yes halogens do get hot.

Halogens get quite hot. They do have nice light though.

I prefer natural daylight flourescents.

Also, I do have an Ott Light and that is a very nice light source.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Hi Fred: Yes, as Robert said, the Halogen lights get hot. However I have mine mounted about four feet above my bench, and so I don't get the heat effect.

Best regards, Pat Doyle

Just a thought....I am interested in a movable arm swivel light/maginifier. I used a friends and they are real nice to work with.

Thanks,