Light Box
 

Suggestions on buying or making a great Light box for tracing?

Your thoughts are so appreciated.

Smiles

Rhodi

I have used windows and my acrylic table (for my sewing machine) with a light underneath.

There are several ways you can make a light box. If you have a dining table that separates to insert leaves to make it bigger, pull the sides apart, place a piece of glass or plexiglass over the space and put a lamp underneath. This is good for larger designs. I have a square endtable that has a clear insert about 18"x18". I put a lamp underneath it. Or, take a clear plastic box and turn it upside down with a light inside it. With the new LED lights that don't generate heat, this is nice, because you can use a thin plastic box. I purchased one of the opaque white project boxes that are 13x13x2 from JoAnn's to make a traveling light box. I have all my marking tools, masking tape and the LED lights that are battery operated in it. Check out Harbor Freight for LED lights. I just bought several for $1.99 each that are 12-bulb lights and used AAA batteries.

Wow great information - using a clear plastic box and LED Lights. Thanks for sharing this!!!

The portable idea is great!

Both ideas are really great! Why can't I think up some of this stuff? So glad for the board :)

Walmart here was sold out of every one after my show and tell at guild meeting showing mine. LOL. It's lightweight, no cords, and the LED lights are super bright. It's made for kids so it is sturdy. It was $20. Some posters found them on clearance for $10.

I have old hobnail lamps with glass shades in my bedroom. For smallish designs, I just slap a 16 inch square up ruler on top of a lamp and start tracing.

I have a glass top coffee table. I just put a lamp under the glass and presto, a light box.

What is the toy? I love this idea.

http://www.crayola.com/products/ligh...g-pad-product/

Stores that sell Crayon products should have it.

i use the window and mother natures light ...a little tape helps to

I use a window on top of a milk crate with an ott-light in the crate (the wire comes through one of the holes in the crate).

The best one I ever had was a glass-top pedestal dining table! Perfect with my lamp on the floor under it.

I designed mine using Luan board and acryllic and my brother made it for me. It is portable...

Look around at home. My first light box was made with books a torch and a large piece of thick plastic or a piece of glass on top. Moved to a coffee table and have a homemade one now. Due to a car injury the one place I can't use is a window. If you have a frame in the garden for growing seeds that also works. Think outside the box.

I have a light-box that was used for viewing camera slides.

I found a tutorial on how to make a lightbox for under $30.00. the website is Instructables.com they have all kinds of neat things to build for cheap prices. check it out, it looks really simple to make. hope this helps out

I made mine using a large piece 18"x18" of Plexiglas which I sit on the table using 4 vegetable cans in the corners. Then I found a sting of white icicle Christmas lights at thrift store for $2.50. Put lights under the Plexiglas and presto you have a beautiful light box.

I just got mine today. Which is funny because I don't do appliqué or anything where I would need it. But I just cannot resist a gadget or a gizmo!

Thanks to this thread, I ran out to Walmart and got the Crayola one today for $20. I love that it's slim and portable, so I am able to take it to class with me.

I also have the one I purchased at walmart, works really great!

I used a9x13 glass Pyrex cake pan that came with a lid. I bought stick on led light at Walmart that is battery powered with remote. Stuck the light to the lid and then you put it lid side down and have a nice glass surface to trace on. This was before hubby told me" I have an old X-ray box that u can have. Love it cause it is huge.

I bought one at JoAnns in the art/craft dept with 40% coupon for around $20. Works great.

Yup went and got one too! It works perfect and not alot of money had to be spent on it either Check it out before investing in the high end ones at QS or in Quilt Catalogs

My husband made me one, he found a old florescent ceiling light fixture, it's a rectangle with a wood frame around the shade. He made the shade stable, when it was on a ceiling you simply lifted the shade out to change a bulb. He put a back on the fixture, I turn it now upside down to use it. I like it because I can sit it on my kitchen island and use it to trace patterns comfortably. Before I tried to trace against a window pane and that was terrible.

My DH bought a cheapie 9x11 picture frame and then built a box , fitted the frame on top of it. Night light with cord inserted in a hole drilled in side of box. Great light box.

Have heard of putting a piece of plexiglass over a top loading washing machine with a light inside for larger designs, taping to a sliding glass door, using large glass baking dishes with a touch light. There are lots of possibilities that don't cost much or sometimes nothing.

I use a tap light under a plastic box. Works great...

An old storm window and 4 same sized can good or coffee cans with a shop light underneath worked well for me. But then again, I don't use it very frequently

One of my end tables has a drawer that I place an LED in and a piece of acrylic over the top. Works for me. My husband saw me use it once and he uses it often also.

I used an old flatbed scanner that wasn't being used anymore. Removed the "lid", took out the inside stuff, bought a small stick light from Wal-Mart that I can slide in the end and it is a perfect light box for me. Only expense was the light and it was not too bad.

check this out:
http://www.amazon.com/Artograph-225-...ds=light+table

More of my repurposing! LOL We had two refrigerators, our new one and one that came with the house. When one went out I saved one the glass shelves..my DIL took the other one. It makes a perfect large light box when placed on a table with an under the counter florescent under it. The sides are already slanted with the metal frame and it is stored in the closet when not in use.

I bought one after it was shown on QB. Went to buy a second one a day later, they were all gone. Found two stacks at a WalMart on my way to Craft Camp in June, purchased one for a friend. I took mine to Craft Camp, it doesn't take up much room in my luggage and works great for small projects. Before that I went to Goodwill and bought a huge framed picture for $7.50, removed the picture, cleaned the glass and used it for a light box then I got the Crayola one.

Thanks for sharing BellaBoo.

Light box
 

About 30 years ago, I purchased a professional light box about 19 X 25 inches. It has a ¼ inch thick plexi top and a metal frame with two long light tubes inside, each with a switch. It cost about $225 then. Yes, it cost a bundle, but it was the best purchase I've ever made and over the years the cost is minimal. No standing at windows feeling the blood drain from my arm anymore--I just sit it on my lap or the table and trace away. Have only replaced one florescent bulb in all that time. And it's large enough to do most sizes.
SandyQuilter

Go to the $ store and fnd yourself a clear plastic cotainer with a lid. The come in diffeent szes. Use a batterie operated lantern and you are set. Can also find them a Big Lots. Handy for moving to any room and you can keep the light and papers, material together in the box.

I have the Art Graph Light Tracer. I think I bought it at Joann's with a coupon. I found a second one in a used shop for $3. I love them.