Converting My Shop Lights To LED Tubes

Some time back I began converting my florescent tube shop lights with LED tubes. They use the existing shop light fixture, and can be rewired to remove the ballast. They provide a whiter, brighter light, and is a worthy shop upgrade. It was a pretty simple process to rewire each fixture, which I show in this video.

Before attempting a conversion like this, be sure you understand how to work with wiring, and understand electrical concepts. Ensure all power is off to any light fixtures prior to working on them.

Different shop lights have different wiring configurations. Do your research to understand how your lights are wired, including how the connectors (or “tombstones”) are wired, and purchase the correct LED tubes for your situation. This video shows my light fixtures, with compatible LED tubes.

Additionally, there is some published information citing concerns over some LED lighting and UV radiation, and its effect on the human eye. The LED tubes I purchased indicated that they do not emit UV radiation.

Again, please do your research here to purchase the lighting that is best for your situation.

Hyperikon 4′ LED tubes (clear) https://amzn.to/3FzAKJ4

Amazon links are affilate links, and help support what I do.

by Jim Ashley

The Humble (and Sometimes Not So Humble) Pencil | A Geek Out Session

The pencil is one of the most basic of shop tools, but there are so many types that it can get a bit complicated. Today I geek out a bit over pencils I like, both in the shop, and for my EDC (Everyday Carry). Over time I’ve found I like very different types for each.

Pencils (and a few other things) discussed (Amazon links are affiliate links – you can help support this site!):

Field Notes notebook – https://amzn.to/3wiKpze

Calavera Tool Notebook Cover – https://calaveratoolworks.com/collections/essentials/products/notebooks

Ticonderoga Standard – https://amzn.to/3yoZ3Xi

Ticonderoga Black – https://amzn.to/3hClbry

Field Notes Pencil – https://fieldnotesbrand.com/products/no-2-woodgrain-pencil-6-pack

Pentel Graphgear 1000 0.3mm – https://amzn.to/3hByyZ1

Pentel Graphgear 1000 0.5mm – https://amzn.to/3bCc3iI

Pentel Graphgear 1000 0.7mm – https://amzn.to/2T2n3Q3

Pentel Graphgear 1000 0.9mm – https://amzn.to/3hBSZEV

Pentel Graphgear 1000 Set – https://amzn.to/2S3SZmG

Sewline Fabic Lead – https://amzn.to/3bUOdiv

Pentel P209 0.9mm – https://amzn.to/3ymEZVG

Rotring 800 0.5mm – https://amzn.to/3ypJ7V2

Rotring Rapid PRO 0.5mm – https://amzn.to/3v5zSae

Uni Kuru Toga Roulette 0.5mm – https://amzn.to/3fC66Dp

Uni Kuru Toga Advance 0.5mm – https://amzn.to/3v7WPty

Uni Kuru Toga Pipe Slide 0.5mm – https://amzn.to/2QElWFm

Rotring Rapid PRO 2.0mm Lead Holder – https://amzn.to/3wmJQ7A

Kum 2.0mm Lead Pointer Sharpener – https://amzn.to/3bIjvsD

Rotring 600 2mm Lead Holder – https://amzn.to/3fOUw8r

Staedtler 2.0mm Lead Holder (295 35-20 – Night Blue) – https://amzn.to/3v9KTaB

MIYABI erasers – https://amzn.to/3u0CeGc

EDIT: I’ve had some feedback indicating some folks with hearing issues cannot understand speech with the background music. I’m trying an experiment with a “no background music” version below. I appreciate any feedback on this version!

by Jim Ashley

DIY Kids Remote School Desk | Woodworkers Fighting Cancer 2020

I’m once again joined by my son Ian to help build this year’s Woodworkers Fighting Cancer project – A simple to build DIY kids remote school desk made from 1/2″ plywood and 2×4 material. You may notice that he’s now a taller goofball!

Thanks to Marc & Nicole Spagnuolo at The Wood Whisperer for once again putting together this year’s Woodworkers Fighting Cancer. To learn more and if you’d like to help, visit https://thewoodwhisperer.com/wfc/.

by Jim Ashley

Shop Tour 2020

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a shop tour, and much has changed. While I did a live stream a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a good time to do a more structured tour. Thanks for watching!

by Jim Ashley

I Did a Livestream Recently: “Social From Afar” – Hang Out and Informal Shop Tour

So my first live stream had some tech glitches. This was a very informal shop tour, and being live stream is a little rough around the edges. A more produced one is coming! At the end the YouTube chat didn’t refresh for me so I wrapped up thinking no further questions. Thanks John and Josh for letting me know. I got back to them after we wrapped up.  Stay safe folks!

by Jim Ashley

Turning a Honey Dipper Handle

Shop time can take a bit of a downturn during the summer. But now that we’re getting back into fall, and I had some time after dinner in the shop, I figured it would be a great time to turn a honey dipper handle that my wife and I had wanted.

What I find with turning is the design somewhat evolves while it’s on the lathe. I was going for a handle whose texture resembled the dipper portion.

Turned with Easy Wood Tools – http://www.easywoodtools.com/
Stainless steel honey dipper hardware from Stainless Steel Bottle Stoppers – https://www.stainlessbottlestoppers.com/

Enjoy!

by Jim Ashley