nice! can you please post a pic of this with the reflector and lamps removed? I'm curious as to how this was assembled. Thanks.

sure i can

Thanks. I'm planning in making my own two lamp F13T5 preheat fixture and an additional one for another member. I've never worked with sheet metal though and the fixtures will be made from scratch so i'm looking for some basic designs that i can hopefully do without any big issues.

if you like i can make a youtube video showing details.

Sure! That'd be awesome! do you have any other homemade shoplite style lights that are a pretty basic design? So far i have this and i made blueprints for it here. I've picked up on a few design flaws though. How long shoul it be if the lamps are F13T5s? They're like 20.91" long if i recall correctly. in the blueprints i used 21" but I'm not thinking that long enough unless the pins are measured. I don't have an actual F13t5 either, though i THINK there were some at the ReStore where i'll be getting the ballasts, given that they're not sold/trashed. they're preheat Robertson Ballasts. I've seen you haven't had the best experiences with Robertson? LOL

I just had one dud. It was VERY noisy however the 2nd one is GREAT. I do like their products.

Ahh okay. i was gonna say i was told Robertson was good stuff. apparently the F13t5s run off of FS4 starters.