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How to make a LightBox.
 
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How to make a LightBox.
Published by Mello
30-11-2008
Default How to make a LightBox.

So as some of you know iv'e been serching for a Lightbox to have a play with,but since i couldn't find exactly what i was looking for i decided to make my own.

I thought it might be useful to document the process in case anyone else fancied having a go???

Materials.

1/ Piece of 1/2" Fibreboard.

2/ Length 1.5" X 2.5" lath.

3/ 4 X 20w low voltage spots + distribution board.

4/ Sheet clear perspex.

5/ Roll of white Fablon (sticky-backed plastic).

6/ Sheet silver bubblewrap.

7/ Sticky-Backed Velcro.

Building.

So i started with a sheet of Fibreboard 24" X 20" (Pic 1) then i cut a piece of clear Perspex to match and covered with the White fablon paying particular attention to get a very smooth finish with no marks or airbubbles (Pic 2),
Next i attached a frame with the wood all the way round the Fibreboard (Pic 3) counter sinking all of the screws.
I then lined the bottom of the box with Silver Bubblewrap (Pic 4) next i attached the lights to to the inside edge of the frame after experimenting with the position for the best spread of light,wired them up then lined the longest inside edges with more Silver Bubblewrap to hide the wiring (Pic 5).
Finally i smartened up the Perspex with a black border and attached it with Sticky-backed velcro (Pic 6).

So now i have a LightBox 24" X 20" which cost me just under £60 and about 4 hours to make.

Regards Steve.

PS: I chose 20w low voltage fittings as they are much brighter than flourescent tubes and i can replace the bulbs really easily.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Lightbox 001.jpg (193,1 KB, 107 views)
File Type: jpg Lightbox 002.jpg (206,6 KB, 107 views)
File Type: jpg Lightbox 003.jpg (204,9 KB, 108 views)
File Type: jpg Lightbox 004.jpg (196,0 KB, 104 views)
File Type: jpg Lightbox 005.jpg (187,9 KB, 108 views)
File Type: jpg Lightbox 006.jpg (210,1 KB, 80 views)
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  #1 (permalink)  
By Dennyboy on 30-11-2008, 11:09
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Proper little DIY SOS you are very professionally done
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  #2 (permalink)  
By Mello on 30-11-2008, 13:45
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Cheers Mate,but not that professional the perspex was getting a tad warm so i have just added 3/4" lath around the frame to make sure the perspex is not in contact with the light fittings...

So with hindsight i should have started with 2.5" X 2.5" wood for the frame...
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  #3 (permalink)  
By Len on 30-11-2008, 14:01
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Give the man "A Blue Peter Badge" get down shep!!!
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  #4 (permalink)  
By Manicminer on 30-11-2008, 14:43
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You have the perspex + bubblewrap as a diffuser on one side and the mdf on the other?
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  #5 (permalink)  
By Mello on 30-11-2008, 17:28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Manicminer View Post
You have the perspex + bubblewrap as a diffuser on one side and the mdf on the other?
The silver is fastened to the bottom of the inside of the box to reflect the light upwards/outwards then the perspex sits on top of the frame which the light shines through,then you place stuff on/infront of the perspex to photograph against a plain white lit background...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Diagram.jpg (45,9 KB, 33 views)
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  #6 (permalink)  
By carregwen on 30-11-2008, 17:41
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Looks good Steve - better than mine, but the same sort of idea. Not quite sure what you did for the white perfspex - you say 'coated in fablon'. If you want white perspex that is translucent (I think it lets though about 50% light) you can get it from here, where I got my black perspex from. Quite cheap and they deliver.

eBay.co.uk Shop - Plastic Online: White Acrylic 5mm: WHITE 5MM ACRYLIC PERSPEX SHEET 210 x 297mm A4 SIZE
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  #7 (permalink)  
By Wildigg on 30-11-2008, 18:10
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You are one very brave man i can just hear my wife yelling get that out of my kitchen lol nice idea with the light box thanks for showing us.
Bryan.
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  #8 (permalink)  
By Mello on 30-11-2008, 18:27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carregwen View Post
Not quite sure what you did for the white perfspex - you say 'coated in fablon'. I
I used clear perspex and the Fablon is just like Sticky-Backed plastic that you can stick on bathroom windows to make it opaque.

I thought that having a white piece would bloke out too much light...although my way makes it look a bit of a creamy colour rather than white...

I also had an epiphany this afternoon in the bath (ooo err misses) i could have just made the frame and stuck the SB800 in the box and fired it in Commander mode...BUGGER!!!...
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  #9 (permalink)  
By Paul on 01-12-2008, 10:23
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Great article mate. I've moved this to the members articles forum so you have pride and place on the homepage.
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