Dimension lumber light boxes shelves 2'x4' LED flat panels

By Mike O'Loughlin; posted January 2, 2021

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Pickled up two 4000k 2'x4' led panels for $99 (I'll be honest, the big 5000 on the boxes is what lured me in, I soon discovered it was 5000 lumens, not temperature, but 4000k isn't that far off from the standard, just a little more blue and who doesn't like blue?)add two 16' 2"x8"s and 38 linear ft. of select 1/2"x6" pine, &-voila! I prefer wood shelves, less rattling, and more $ for glass. Two light boxes/ lighted shelves w/ over 36' of shelve space for about $200. I can't tell difference from the 3500k I bought last year.(edit: I can now...) I like the dimension lumber shelves, insulators were utilitarian, white latex paint acts as earthquake putty. Speaking of putty, used a fair amount on the 2x8s. Knots? Don't care. Planer tear out? Don't care. One rounded/ live edge corner? Don't care. (Cut out to inset led panels) Measured twice this time. 9 shelves spaced for 10 rows 22" wide (there's a 1" frame around the panels). Each unit will hold (80)121s (I wish ) (70) 143s (still wishing) or (90) 102s (mmmmmmm!) Interestingly,- or not, 9 shelves (10 rows) have 4.15" spacing, at 8 shelves 4.67" only 1/2" of gain with one less shelf. at 7 shelves, spacing is 5.31" per shelf, enough for most mid size insulators, and yeah, I used my digital calipers for layout 'cause my tape measure just doesn't do hundredths. I do not recommend buying lumber from Lowe's or Home Depot, I'd drive 10 extra miles to the local lumber yard, even if there weren't a big difference in price and quality, ( but there is). Lumber prices have gone way up, but LED panels have come down. When the 5000k ones drop some more maybe I'll swap 'em out and hang these in the garage, or cellar, but for now? I like 'em! And Oh! Did I mention Seasonal Affective Disorder? While I remain unopposed to dealing with it the old fashioned way,( being a miserable---- and taking it out on others) Research suggests : (Anything you want it to!)

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