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Loulin — DIY - Light table/Light box
Published: 2014-01-05 12:50:00 +0000 UTC; Views: 3392; Favourites: 23; Downloads: 0
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Description
January 2014
So... I found this old thick piece of plastic at work (Plexiglass). Since I had no idea where it came from and no idea about its proper use I "adopted" it. Not at all coincidentally I had a little project in mind. Getting a wee bit tired of using a window to trace my sketches onto drawing paper I thought: why not build my own light table?
Using an old shoe box for the frame I fitted the sides with cardboard, the cardboard being used to support the sheet of plastic within the box. Once glued, I dressed the inside of the box with slightly crinkled tin foil. Add a small flashlight and voilà! Home made light table! Somewhat improvised perhaps and in the end not very big but it's enough to save two tired arms and a lot of frustrated grunting by the window.
Things used:
Piece of Plexiglass (any type of sturdy and see-through material works really)
Big ol' shoe box
Tin foil
Cardboard
Scissors and glue
A small flashlight (or perhaps two for better effect)
Conclusion: And yes... It works very well actually.
EDIT - December 2014. I've finally added a couple of cross-section sketches to further describe the creative process.
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Comments: 11
Damn why didn't this come to my mind yet ... 
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No problems. Glad you liked it. 
It might a really simple structure but it works surprisingly well.
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Yeah, truly an awesome invention, made of stuff one has got mostly at home (well ok I haven't found any plexiglass yet but we've got so much stuff around the house I'm sure I'll find some. 
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Well... It certainly works for us who hasn't got the money or the room for a proper light table.
If you don't find anything at home, you can buy sheets of plexiglass in stores that sell various tools and building materials. It's usually called "acrylic plastic" (or something similar) and isn't very expensive at all. Just make sure you get a thick sheet - at least 6 mm thick.
Also, make sure you fit the inside of the box with sturdy cardboard, because I've noticed that you WILL end up leaning onto the light table when you're using it.
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Ok good to know so I'll get myself a thick thick cardboard box from the supermarket then just to make sure it holds. And I'm sure we somewhere have something shining through plastic flying around somewhere outside, in the cellar or the attic
Or I'm gonna make myself something out of wood or let my father do that... we'll see
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Well... Good luck to you. I hope your build is a successful one.
(I've also updated the main file a bit on how the construction was made. I've been meaning to do this all year but since it's gotten some extra attention today it was definitelly about time.)
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Thank you, I will try when I can get out of here again when it's not snowing anymore ... (we're drowning in snow at the moment >.<)
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Thanks. I feel rather pleased with this one; sometimes those really simple and inexpensive ideas works really well. And frankly, practically anything is better than standing by the window trying trace those sketches properly.
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Nice work. It's a lot of fun making things yourself. You can be proud that you made it. Saves a few pennies too!
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Thanks, Dan. Really quick, really low-budget and fits my simple needs perfectly. With no decoration and the lid on it's a light table disguised as a shoe box! What more can one ask for?
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