Light and Tooling Ideas

Desk Light

• Leather and other tooling work is often performed with an emphasis on attention to detail. In many cases, the work must be precise. People who perform this type of work often do so at a workbench. Therefore, a small desk light is one idea for lighting an area where you do tooling work. Desk lights can sit directly on a desk or can clamp onto the side of a desk or work station. You can often aim the light to the exact place you want lit for precise lighting. Some desk lights have multiple light levels, such as high, medium and low light.

Overhead Lighting

• Many workshops and factories are lit by fluorescent overhead lights, which provide another option for tooling. They apply both to the craftsman aspect of tooling, as well as the broader definition of preparing tools for a machine or project. The light from the overhead lights is distributed across a larger space than a desk light, so it is better suited to illuminate larger work spaces. The light itself is a colder light with a blue or green tint although that should not affect the actual tooling work.

Outdoor Light

• Outdoor light makes for another possible lighting option for tooling. Move your workbench outside if possible and let the natural light illuminate your work station. Of course, outdoor light is limited only to good weather; you do not want to be outside working with leather or other crafts in bad weather. You can also use natural light in your work area if you have adequate windows or doors that let the light in.

Combination

• In most cases, combination lighting is used to light workshops and larger factories or work areas. Overhead fluorescent or incandescent lights are used to light the room in general while natural light comes in the windows and desk or small individual lights are used to light specific work spaces. Combination lighting provides you with more control over the lighting in your work space. You can turn different lights on or off to light a space exactly as you want it. Also, consider installing dimmers for even more lighting control.