Lightbox

Bob Z

Can someone tell where is the cheapest place to get a good lightbox? I have never used one before so what do I need to look out for? It will be For drawing and possibly a small bit of animation.

looksee

They are very simple and you could easily make one yourself.

You need an old drawer or similar wooden box about 15cm deep. Paint the inside white (emulsion is ok) to give better reflecting.

Take out the handle and make the hole a bit bigger if necessary.

Drill a few holes on the sides of the drawer with a big flatbit for ventilation.

Get a lamp fitment from a hardward shop and assemble it through the handle hole, put a plug on it.

When I made one I used a small strip/shaving light, but it was a good while ago and it tended to get hot, maybe an energy saver would be cooler, suggest you ask on the electrical/diy forum.

Glue a narrow lath of wood round the inside top of the box. about 5mm from the top. Or, put a strip across the bottom of the drawer to stop the perspex sliding and just lay it on top of the drawer edges.

To make your drawing surface you need some white perspex (at least 5ml), it will let the light through but will diffuse it a bit to give you a better surface. Get it cut to size and sit it on the lath.

You can do various things to improve the design, a bit of timber underneath to give a sloping surface, a lip to stop the paper sliding off (though masking tape is the best bet), centre the light a bit more, its up to you.

Miaireland

I have seen them in argos but not sure of the price.