Proper lighting for reloading?

[vffdoug]

I am in the process of setting of my bench for reloading. What is a good size light fixture to have over my reloading bench? It will be mounted at approximately 8 feet from the floor area of my work area.
Thanks

[GWS]

depends on the length of the bench. But I prefer 4-lamp Florescents with lenses. Like this 4' long $65 one from Ace Hardware. Home depot has similar ones. Got an eight foot bench? Add another one.



http://www.acehardware.com/family/in...goryId=1259174

[Gadawg88]

I have a high output four bulb fluorescent directly over my bench. On the ceiling behind me is a two bulb fixture. I have a small clip on LED light attached to my press that points directly at the shell holder on my LCT. I don't think you can have too much light. More is better.

[jwrowland77]

I just have a regular old desk lamp that is moveable. I can either point it up or in any direction I choose. Plus I use the light in my garage. Gives me plenty of light.

[mikld]

Whatever you choose, make sure there is enough light to see what you're doing (bright enough to read your beam scale from 3', and find a small primer on a gray background). I have a 4' double bulb overhead, approx. 6' from the top of the bench. Plus a 24" double fixture 3' above the bench and a gooseneck desk lamp w/75 watt incandescent. But, I got 67 year old eyes and like bright. Won't hurt anything to have "too much" light...

[Nick_C_S]

I'm a big fan of abundant light - especially over my favorite 8.5sq/ft on the planet - also known as my loading bench

I think a mixture of fluorescent and incandescent is important. Fluorescents are bright enough, but they oscillate (blink on and off) at 60 cycles per second. It's unperceptible, but it fatigues the eye. So add some incandescent lighting to "smooth out" the oscillations.

My load area is very bright. Overkill, by most people's standards.

[WESHOOT2]

As much as possible.
Then add more.

[BWM]

I like my light over my head so I can see what is going on NOT over the press. More the better!

[Mike / Tx]

Over my bench I have a 4' two bulb fluorescent, and under the shelf 1'4" off my bench top I have a 2 bulb 2' fluorescent mounted under the overhead cabinet. On top I have a two bulb incandescent with 2 40w bulbs in it.

Over my sizing table I have another 4' two bulb fluorescent, and a clamp on fixture holding a 65w LED flood that lights up everything nice and bright. I move the clamp on around depending on what I am doing so that it puts everything into perspective. Like mentioned above, my eyes aren't what they used to be either, and the added light is a bonus when trying to inspect things closely.

[Brian Pfleuger]

Originally Posted by WESHOOT2

As much as possible.
Then add more.

You sound like my dad. Every time I help him work on a car I realize this must be what it's like to try to work on the surface of the sun.

My bench has a single, very bright 75w equivalent CFL. One of the expensive, very clear, very white ones. It was like $15. Sun-A-Lux maybe, I can't remember for sure.

[LE-28]

IF you put flourecents up don't buy the T12 fixtures. The T8 lights are so much more superior to the T12s you'll throw rocks at them.

The T12 tubes are already obsolete and when the stock supply runs out you won't be able to get them any more.

T-8 tubes are expensive ($8.00 a tube) but they are bright as hell, instant on in the cold, don't dim down much with age, and will be available for a long time.

[Nick_C_S]

I've got a double fluorescent T-5 VHO fixture on the ceiling - it is very bright. Then I have a 150W "global warmer" incandescent next to it. Followed by two 60-watt clamp lights pointing at the bench itself.

I'm good to go

(No. I'm not Brian's Dad )

[chris in va]

In addition to overhead lighting I prefer a decent headlamp so I can verify proper powder levels in the case. Shadows and reloading don't mix.

[BWE]

I have (2) 4' two-lamp fluorescent fixtures and (1) 4' fluorescent fixture I converted to LED over my bench. However, I still was finding that it was difficult at times to see inside my cases after the powder drop....so, being an electrician with tons of "stuff" laying around.... I added this. It makes a HUGE difference, and I can clearly see inside my cases before I seat the bullet.

I know you can get something "similar" from inline fabrication, but it's $40, and only comes with 8 LEDs, 3 on one small strip and 5 on another. Mine has 15. If anyone wants one, to your door for $26. Comes with power supply, zip ties, LED light strip, wire ties, wire tie anchors, and an alcohol prep pad to clean the area your lights will be mounted to. It really works perfectly.

[Nick_C_S]

BWE: Looks like 5.3g of Bullseye

[BigJimP]

Overhead....I have a couple of 4 Foot ....fluorescent fixtures../ with good quality "daylight" or "sunlight" tubes in them vs "cool white"...

But I also use a "Drafting Table" flexible arm light...that's Halogen ....to give me easily adjustable bright light ...so I can see into the case after the powder drop ...and get a lot of light right on the case holder on the press...

More light is better ...than not enough

[BWE]

See how well those lights work??! Not only can you tell IF there's powder in there, but a guy on the internet can tell you how much of what kind!!

(thats pretty good....it IS bullseye, and you can't see the jug in the pics!)

[WESHOOT2]

Maybe it's sun-like because we cannot squint sufficiently to compensate for our poopie eyesight.

I'm thinkin'.....

[GWS]

WESHOOT2 said,

Maybe it's sun-like because we cannot squint sufficiently to compensate for our poopie eyesight.

I'm thinkin'.....

I'm five years your senior.....you have no idea how much more poopie your eyesight can become in 5 measly years.

Besides my ceiling lights, and my swinging drafting light, I recently added the greatest improvements:

1. went to Radio Shack and bought their $30 LED strip coil that's cuttable into many 3-Led 12volt pieces. (Don't look at them directly or you will damage your eyes.) Then I glued a single 3-LED piece inside my Pro 2000 casting with dbl-sided foam tape. Bright is good! I still have nearly 3' of strip left for where ever else my dim eyes need them.....Hmmm under the shelf on the bench.....or maybe under my railing at my front entry steps. One 2" section lights the whole thing (seven risers)! Requires 12 volt transformoer. COOL product!!!


2. Inexpensive Miniature movie cameras (5volt) and video monitors (7" diag. 12 volt) have finally arrived!
$34. Needs a 12 volt transformer...I shared one for both the monitor and the LED lighting. I mounted it, vertically in the included case, screwed to a one inch wood dowel.....think I'll buy a 12" long 1X1 steel sq. tube to mount it and paint it to make it match my Hornady Bullet Feeder support.
$56. (comes with a 5 volt transformer)

How well, can I see powder in the cases now? Better than a twenty year-old's puny, poopie eyes!

[WESHOOT2]

Well you shoulda seen ME five years ago ('cept ya couldn't, ay? ).

[Martys]

I bought a couple desk lamps that are LCD's consequently it puts out very strong light with "NO" heat which was important to me.

[4runnerman]

4- 4' fluorescent over the reloading table and cleaning table and 1- 2 ' over the Computer table. More than enough light for me, I am one that also looks inside all cases when done with the powder to verify load level of powder,but I use a very good HID flashlight for that.

[mnoirot64]

Originally Posted by Brian Pfleuger

You sound like my dad. Every time I help him work on a car I realize this must be what it's like to try to work on the surface of the sun.



My bench has a single, very bright 75w equivalent CFL. One of the expensive, very clear, very white ones. It was like $15. Sun-A-Lux maybe, I can't remember for sure.

This is too funny. Makes me think of my dad, may he RIP.

[mnoirot64]

Originally Posted by Nick_C_S

BWE: Looks like 5.3g of Bullseye

OMG! We all need a life!!

[Mohave-Tec]

My bench is white so it reflects light in all directions and so I can find things on it. I have florescents coming in from 3 directions including moveable swivel. Whatever you do, light that sucker up. These are indispensable.