Most shops, no matter how well equipped, suffer from some lighting deficiencies. Commonly used overhead fluorescent lights offer a good solution at an affordable price, but they’re limited to providing general illumination. There are times when you need to concentrate light on a particular area. And that’s when you need to look at adding some task lighting.
There are several types of task lighting solutions for the shop, as you can see in the photo above. Light-emitting diodes (LED) are cooler and brighter than most other types of lighting. But you may prefer incandescent for it’s warmer glow, availability, and lower price.
1 Rockler LED Work Light
The gooseneck LED light in the top photo is one of my favorites. It’s sold by Rockler for about $60. Although it’s the most expensive light here, it’s worth it.
For starters, the gooseneck works great. You can turn it in any direction and it stays put. The LED lamp has 14 diodes that spread light evenly so there are no hot spots or dark areas. And the base attaches to any ferrous metal with three large, rare earth magnets. As an added feature this lamp comes with a clamp that lets you attach it to any non-metal work surface, as well. The light runs on three AAA batteries or an included AC adapter.
2 Rockler LED Magnifier
The LED light in the top photo has a removable head. So you can swap it out for the magnifying lens you see in the photo below.
Since the light is powered with a low-voltage transformer or batteries, you don’t even have to unplug it to change it. All you have to do is unscrew the small lamp and screw in the magnifying lens.
The magnifier features 18 LEDs circling the magnifying glass. Your work area is not only magnified, but well-illuminated too. If there’s a downside to this light, it’s that the circle of lights leaves a dark spot in the middle of the magnified area. I had to adjust the lens several times to get the light concentrated on the area where I was working. But since this magnifier is designed for close-up work, adjusting it isn’t too much of an inconvenience. I found this light to be a good choice for its stability during use.
3 Delta Work Light
If you prefer incandescent light in the shop, you won’t have to look far to find a good gooseneck lamp. Delta Tools makes one for about $27. At half the price of the LED light, this is a bargain. And the even glow and convenience of using a standard light bulb is also a plus.
This lamp is built for use in the shop. The gooseneck bends easily but stays put. Like the LED light, it also has magnets in the base to attach to any ferrous metal table or machinery. While the magnets aren’t as strong as rare earth magnets, they’re strong enough to support the lamp even if it’s turned on its side.
4 Cordless Light
To illuminate the inside of a case or tool cabinet, a cordless flashlight is a good option.
Some cordless tool sets come with a flashlight as a bonus tool. And with features like a swiveling head or free-standing base, it can be an indispensable tool in your workshop.
Personal Lighting : Hands-Free
5Headband Lamp
For “on-the-go” task lighting, check out the headband lamp shown here. This LED light is great for using when you’re setting up your tools or performing a little maintenance on shop tools. The headband lamp was originally designed for sportsmen. But it has some features that are really helpful in a shop setting, too.
First off, the light is always in front of you as you work. And most have lights that swivel, so you can aim the light where you need it. The one shown here, made by Rayovac , has three light intensity settings, so you can adjust it to fit your needs. It runs on three AA batteries, but they last quite a long time. On the lowest light setting, you’ll get 70 hours of use on the batteries.
The comfort level for this light is pretty high, as well. It has a soft, adjustable band that fits around your head and one across the top keeps the light securely in place. Plus, it only weighs a few ounces, so it’s light enough that you won’t feel the weight of it on your head after a day in the shop.
