The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource - Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way

David Muehlbauer

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Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Jul 28^th, 2018 at 4:26pm

We are moving and the new house has a 'golf cart garage' that I plan to use as a primary area for woodturning. The space is about 10' wide and 12' deep. The challenge is that when the garage door is open it blocks almost the entire ceiling, making it impossible to hang shop lights where they would do the most good. It's a 10' ceiling, so I have plenty of room below the open garage door, but wonder what the best way is to hang or suspend a couple of 4' lights.

Anyone had a similar issue and found a good solution? I would prefer to work with the garage doors open most of the year (Arizona).

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Allan Miller Full Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 90 Eclectic Alabama USA Laguna Revo 18x36	Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way Reply #1 - Jul 28^th, 2018 at 4:41pm Since you are wanting to work with the door open you could mount them high on the wall just below the level of the raised door. One on each side would eliminate shadows.
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David Hamann WR Administrator WR Patron Offline papadave Posts: 5,701 Pasco WA Washington USA Gender: Jet 1014VSI	Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way Reply #2 - Jul 28^th, 2018 at 6:50pm you could also use floor lamps and aim them where you want extra light. when done, store up against a wall.
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Glenn Roberts

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Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Reply #3 - Jul 28^th, 2018 at 9:00pm

Lights (I assume led fluorescent substitute) mounted on the ceiling and a transparent garage door; lights mounted right on the door using an electrical coupling or a retractable power cord (or similar), If there is room (height): string a wire support across the shop length for light mounting, etc. Million ways to do it.

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Richard Shelby Junior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 41 NOVA 1624	Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way Reply #4 - Jul 29^th, 2018 at 6:30am I'm in LA (Lower Alabama) and I have a similar garage situation. My Nova 1624 is on casters which I roll out onto the paved apron just outside the door. Solves the dust and shavings problem and plenty of light available when the sun is out. The downside: no turning when it rains.
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Don Stephan

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Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Reply #5 - Jul 29^th, 2018 at 9:16am

It would not be inexpensive, but one solution would be to replace the overhead door with an arrangement that opens like french or a pair of bifold doors. Unfortunately, might require adding some strength to the sides of the opening to carry the weight, and some very heavy duty hinges. Not nearly so convenient to open and close, but then ceiling lights would be very conventional.

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Ed Weber

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Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Reply #6 - Jul 29^th, 2018 at 9:31am

As for lighting, you may need to get something for the wall that can move or articulate in some way, Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

You could also look at a dock light but they are expesive and might be too much of a "spot" light for your needs.Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

David Muehlbauer wrote on Jul 28^th, 2018 at 4:26pm:

I would prefer to work with the garage doors open most of the year (Arizona).

Not related to your lighting situation, why on earth would you want to work with the door open?
I have looked at your weather forecast and didn't see anything under 103 degrees for the next 10 days or so. Are you made of asbestos?

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« Last Edit: Jul 29^th, 2018 at 9:34am by Ed Weber »

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Ralph Fahringer WR Addict Offline I'm the "Burly" Man!! Posts: 1,629 Ellsworth Maine USA Gender: PM3520b	Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way Reply #7 - Jul 29^th, 2018 at 9:44am I see cables strung below the open door allowing shop lights to be hung from them. Also, maybe a hole in one wall for an AC!!!
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George Stratton Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 322 Gender: Old Delta 12" 46-701 in great condition. Had it about 20+ years and turned 1 part.	Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way Reply #8 - Jul 29^th, 2018 at 10:25am Since its only 10 or 12 feet across, why not put a 2x6 across under the open door and hang the lights on that?? Or forget about hanging and just screw them to the 2x6??
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Ronald Black Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 102 Michigan Michigan USA Gender:	Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way Reply #9 - Jul 30^th, 2018 at 9:06am Mount several "D" shaped brackets the will be just below the door when it is open. Hang or attach the lights to these. Make it out of threaded pipe and it will be strong enough and out of the way.
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Ed Weber

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Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Reply #10 - Jul 30^th, 2018 at 10:33am

Unless all of you people are Hobbits Roll Eyes

Hanging or mounting lighting under a raised garage door of standard height may not leave enough head room. Also lighting that is mounted too low isn't always helpful and can create shadows.
If lighting placement isn't a good solution or fit, I would move towards Don's suggestion of a pair of swinging doors.
JMO

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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,939 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way Reply #11 - Jul 30^th, 2018 at 11:23am Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
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Steve Doerr

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Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Reply #12 - Aug 1^st, 2018 at 8:33am

On Ed's Youtube video, I agree with the comments that it is a nightmare of wiring hazards.

If you could find some used dental lights I that that might be a good solution. I have two in my shop and they work great as we can move them so that we can get the best lighting possible as we are turning.

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Ed Weber

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Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Reply #13 - Aug 1^st, 2018 at 9:16am

As the topic has been touched on, Altering the light to accommodate the door might not be the way to go.
Changing the door to accommodate the light might be less expensive and more practical in the long run.
One other possibility is to get a roll-up door, it sounds like you have the height and they only require about 2' of overhead room.

I linked to the video to illustrate a point, lights below a standard door are not a good idea regardless of how they're mounted. JMO

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Don R Davis

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Re: Installing shop lights when garage door is in the way
Reply #14 - Jun 13^th, 2019 at 6:42am

This is what I did. I shut the garage door and unplug it if it has an automatic door opener. Hang my lights and install an air conditioner. Here in TN, it's hot and humid in the summer and kinda cold in the winter. I have a window unit AC and a small electric heater and run one or the other 24 hours a day. I am retired and work in my shop every day and I want to be comfortable. If you have any questions just ask.

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