Thread: ' How to ' ultimate shop light

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Ok , time to give back...Saluting " brianrupnow"
Over the last 30 years as a commercial photographer, I've learned to use ' available light ' ,
translation: any light available.
Also i love building things, solving problems.
One problem I encountered, while on assignment for a chain of grocery stores, was how to filter for different light sources and kelvin temps.
Back in the film day, we referred to some of them as UFO's.
(Unidentified Fluorescent Objects )

i needed a lightweight, rugged, easy bulb replacement, and cool temp fixture ( safety first, halogens are too contrasty & burn too hot)
pic. 1. Start with a Flush ceiling mount 2'x 4' -4 bulb light box.
pic 2&3. Replace all sheetmetal screws w/ bolts, washers, nylon loc-nuts.
pic 4. Hardwire a 25/50 3-prong grounded extension cord.
5. Enjoy Soft, diffused, low angle light while working on the engine bay or cab/ wherever, without fear of burning your hand.
5. Compatiable with all your other garage fluoesent lights.
6. you'll be surprized by the light output.

this is the back of the unit, hanging on a telescoping light stand.
the next couple of posts will show the hardware, details.

bolts, washers, nylon loc-washers. I happened to use 1/2" two hole condit straps .( easy to find in the electrical section of the box stores.)

heres how the conduit hardware appears.
I used the large washers on BOTH sides of light box.
this is the top most part of the light box.
Your telescoping light stand fits in this conduit piece. ( I even used music stands in emergency )

here is where & how I hard wired the box. I used 50" because of my application in a grocery store.
( my total cost was
lightbox: $ 49.99
hardware $ -/+ $ 8.oo
lightstand, ( camera stores have these for abut $ 20, or use an older halogen shop light stand, when thw light heads get too wobbly and accidently burn you.

the cord on back , wraps around the extension cord when not in use.
I stuff the whole bloody thing back in the cardboard box it came in , wrap some cord around it to transport, or store.

That looks like it would work great for doing body work. Good write-up too!

Thanks fourty1 for the cool idea and the how-to!
Larry M.

Excellent non-traditional use for a fixture that most folks would not consider, because it is a "ceiling light". Many paint booths have fluorescent fixtures in the walls, for this very same reason - good, even lighting. With the newer tubes available today, you can get light that is a lot more compatible with color, and a lot easier on the eyes, and the new ballast technology has almost completely eliminated that deadly flicker - you could hardly notice it, but it definitely was there - that caused so many folks my age to have their sight go south on them at an early age.

I got to thinking, add a set of caster of the bottom of an oke office rolling chair. Those that can weld will.....
FYI, thanks for rading & droppin comments..
You will positively love the quality & quanity of light.
plus now with digital cameras, your photos will rock.
\ jim