In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :
My plan was to run a row of lights down each side of the lift area, as you said, and maybe add a few over the end of the shop away from the door.
Interestingly, the 1 x 4's are only a little dimmer (4000 lumens) than the 2 x 4's (5000). And cheaper.
For the ~600 ft^2 space above, I figure I'll need somewhere around 40,000 - 50,000 lumens. So maybe 5 1x4's along each side, and fill in a few along that back wall later if needed.
Edit: Holy hell, their shipping was outrageous.
Decided to try some of the 1 x 4 LED flat panel displays. I found a lot of 8 of them new, but with damaged packaging, so I rolled the dice and bought them. I started doing two rows of them down the shop's long walls, right on either side of the bump-up where the lift is going to go. Last night, I stuck my shop radio up there, tuned to the local classic rock station I frequently have on while working, and crossed my fingers...
Success! Not a hint of static! Plugged into the same extension cord currently powering the lights, even! In case you can't tell by the picture, that's "Sultans of Swing" blasting from the 15" drivers in those home-built cabinets. I made them when I was in high school, and they do an admirable shop of filling any shop I've ever owned with bass. 
