Quite a bit of my current motorbike maintenance is done at floor level on the centre stand and the lights in my shed cast downwards, (obviously!) and cause a lot of shadows. I've got an LED worklamp which lobs out loads of light, but tends to be quite directional and glarey, especially if you happen to inadvertently look directly at it.
Is low level lighting a thing in professional workshops? LED battens are so cheap, I could put some low down around the work area of my shed for little cost and I think this would provide light at a much more useful level.
Am I a genius or an idiot?
Don't see why not. I've changed my fluorescent lamp for LED (straight swap 5ft tube) in the garage and also have two 'spot' LED flood lamps for the work area so shadows aren't a big issue with 3 light sources and one being a diffused tube.
Sounds like a good idea for low down work though.
Your eyes are self adjusting so you don't necessarily need more light but less contrast between light and shadow. Modern LED lighting tends towards being very bright and very direct and you tend to end up with more harsh contrast and less visibility
If you're having problems with shadows then having multiple light sources help and diffusing the light sources helps too. Single point lights cast hard shadows - where as its harder for you to block out all the light in front of you if its a long strip light for instance.
Putting more direct light sources lower down means you just have problems casting harsher shadows from nearer light sources and being dazzled by having the light source in your face
Its better to have even light than brighter sources of light
What also helps a lot is having white surfaces. So white walls / a white ceiling will do more to distribute the light
So try and have say 4 strip lights and distribute the placement so they're not directly overhead in the areas where you're working.
You'll get useful illustrations online as to how to place lights in kitchens so that you don't cast shadows on the works surfaces and you can use that to inform how you'd place the lights in your shed maybe
Its better to have even light than brighter sources of light
So try and have say 4 strip lights and distribute the placement so they're not directly overhead in the areas where you're working.
Yeah, this is what I want, and I already have an LED batten above my bench for this reason. I could do with at least one more ceiling batten but having a couple low down would really improve the distribution. I think I'm talking myself into this...
Maybe I get one and put it on a lead so I can move it about. Could even stick some magnets to the back of it for attaching to the workbench or shelves. Hmm.
Sounds like maybe a couple of workshop lights or lanterns could be handy?
Like these:
Essentials ARW1032-N Rechargeable LED Work Light 950lm - Screwfix
although there are many different styles available - some are stick/cylinder shaped with magnetic ends so you can stick them to the underside of bonnets etc.
Might also be worth getting a head torch for the inevitable angle where the light isn't shining?
the large flat LED panels rather than strips work quite well actually. Although theyre intended to be ceiling mounted theyre usually quite light and robust I know a few people who have one on a long lead and just lean them up against the wall where ever they are working
If you use battery power tools theres quite a good choice of cheapo portable work lights on eBay and amazon that compatible with the various major brands. Sometimes I'll use a bit of white polystyrene (or foil-faces kingspan works well too) or similar as a reflector and bounce the work light off that rather than point the lamp directly where I'm working
Interested in options. I have an inspection lamp and a strip light. I've taken to wearing an LED head torch when doing tricky jobs as it means I'm not in a shadow. Convenient when moving around a bike on a work stand (e.g. doing cables or brake bleeds).
Some of our work buildings have light battens mounted vertically on the walls, partly as the ceilings are often obscured by large amounts of tray work and cable.
Might be a good solution as it provides light closer to the floor without looking into a full batten at eye level on the opposite side of the bike.
The other option of course, is if there is potential to put in a window.
Work lights ✅ although the reflector suggestion is a good one.
Head torch ✅
The other option of course, is if there is potential to put in a window.
Window ✅ although it's not much use past about 5.30pm just now!
I use a cheap head torch
The large flat LED panels rather than strips work quite well, actually. Although they're intended to be ceiling mounted they're usually quite light and robust, I know a few people who have one on a long lead and just lean them up against the wall where ever they are working
If you use battery power tools, there's quite a good choice of cheapo portable work lights on eBay and Amazon that compatible with the various major brands. Sometimes I'll use a bit of white polystyrene (or foil-faces Kingspan works well too) or similar to a reflector and bounce the work light off that rather than point the lamp directly where I'm working
Good call, I have a spare 600x600 LED ceiling tile panel left over from my workshop fit. I fitted a long plug lead to it and have used it for those times when you need to be creative seeing things. Aldi also sells good battery LED work-lights every 3 months or so that are great when working somewhere with limited or no power