So I have decided to build a lightbox, just cause the ones in stores are too expensive or too cheaply made, or both. So today I went out and bought the wood, lights, screws, light switch, plug, and other lightbox accessories to make my life easier. I started with a 15"x28" oak base, (cause everyone knows oak is one tough wood). Next I built the frame, using two 28"x3.5"x.75" and two 13.5"x3.5"x.75" and held it together with nails and four L brackets. After finishing the frame for the light box I cut out a light switch hole on one of the short sides(13") and a power plug hole on the other side of the lightbox.
Then I noticed my lightbox frame war about 1-2 cm too short, ha, so I took some scrap wood I had cut to make my base; cut out two 28"x.75" and two 13"x.75" and nailed them to the top of the frame.
After putting the frame safely away for a while, I turned my attention to the base board, now I bought two 2 florescent lights, sorry that sounds confusing, each unit holds two florescent lights. and these aren't the cheap plastic case lights, these are the commercial grade lights so I know hopefully they won't break down on me. Placing them and screwing them down to my base was the easy part but the wiring the lights so they would be controlled by the switch and powered by the plug is not my area of expertise. Fortunately electrical wiring is something my dad knows a lot about, so I had him help me wire it all together. So far so good for one days work. All that's left is to connect the plexiglass, (I'm going to hinge and latch them to the top of the frame so that I can open it up to change lights or fix ant problems inside the lightbox. I used clear plexiglass but might change it over to a more opaque white coloring to give it a more clean look.
All that's left is to build and attach the "accessories" for my lightbox.
I have got handles to carry it easier.
Black paint to make it look awesome.
And I'm going to build a top part frame to help measure for screen printing, etc.
(photos will be added after finished and before painting)
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| I use a flat sea-saw light switch which makes it easier to store and transport without worrying about breaking it. |
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| L brackets, gets the job done :) |
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| Front shot of lightbox |
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| I will fill all the cracks with caulking before painting so it looks decent. |
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| I used a cordless plug so i can store/ transport the lightbox without worrying how to wrap or that i might brake the wire. All i need to do is plug it into an extension cord and of course to a wall outlet and I am good to go. |
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| Rear look of the light box |
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| Plexiglass that I am going to attach with hinges, still thinking what the best way to do it is. |
Have a spectacular week.
Brian Kwok
