fluorescent light source?

[Dan Zemcik]

Hello I am looking for a good source for some fluorescent lights. Looking for 8ft t-8. I have a local Lowes and Menards, but would be willing to shop online as well. I have some concern as to the quality of the lights sold at Menards. Where did any of you source your lights? Thanks!

[Jim O'Dell]

I got all my T-8 fixtures from Home Depot. A couple of the ballasts hum a little, but it's not annoying enough to need to replace. If I'm using any tool at all, I don't hear it. Also the stereo covers it up pretty easily. The 8' units are actually 4' bulbs. I bought all my tubes online at businesslights.com I was able to get the higher CRI I wanted. They were also a lot less, even with shipping, than the comparable bulb I could find locally. Some have said that the fixtures from a true lighting store, even in the same brand, are better quality. It is likely that the ballasts are better, but in 7 years I have not had a reason to doubt my original decision.
And if you haven't already, be sure to read Jack Lindsey's lighting article found as a sticky in the Workshop forum!! Invaluable information to use to design the lighting set up for your shop! Jim.

[Craig White]

Relightdepot.com was my source for lighting.

Craig

[Steve Milito]

I found greenlightingwholesale.com provides a well constructed fixture with quality ballasts for a great price. They were less expensive than box store and had name brand ballasts.

[Glenn Samuels]

I just ordered 16 8 ft. fixtures with 4 bulbs each. I looked at this site first for pricing.

http://www.warehouse-lighting.com/wa...-strips/8-foot

After speaking with them, I could get a Chinese fixture 4 lamp for $41. Then they had the american made fixture for $62. The weight of the american unit is 50% greater so I decided to go American. Then I contacted my local lighting store and told them what I wanted. With lamps and freight, I paid the local store $2 more per fixture and they will deliver whenever I want them. At least I get to keep the money in town.

[Jim Andrew]

I retired from the construction business in '01, but I still have friends in the business. A buddy was doing a church addition, and also remodeled their classrooms. I had told him I would like to salvage some suspended ceiling when he got a remodel, so he called and told me what day they would be doing the demo. So I showed up with my flat trailer, and the electricians took out the lights, and I removed the ceilings in about 5 rooms. They asked if I would like the lights, so along with the grid and tiles, I brought home 13 troffer light fixtures. 4 bulb 4' fluorescents, complete with bulbs and covers. I did buy new ballasts on ebay, and have changed out a few to t 8, as they are all t 12, but they work, and I have used some as temp lights in finishing my new storage room. On commercial remodeling jobs, it is common practice to trash the suspended ceilings.

[David Tiell]

Like Jim did, I went the salvage route. Check craigslist. I got 20 2-bulb 4' fluorescent t8 lights for $10 each when a local business was demolished.