Replies

1. 
   starzoe | Jul 06, 2008 11:19pm | #1

   http://www.studiolighting.net/homemade-light-box-for-product-photography/

2. 
   woggy | Jul 07, 2008 04:03am | #2

   I once saw this on the Carol Duvale Craft Show on HGTV. It is a simple, easy light box that you may or may not want - but in a pinch it might work.

   If you don't have one, buy a plastic container - the size you want (the kind that have a removable lid and is used for storage)and put a light under it.

   Or, stores are having sales now on summer furniture. Maybe you can find a small side table with a glass top - put a light under that and it would do the same thing as a light box.

1. 
   sewmasta | Jul 07, 2008 06:56pm | #4

   This sounds like it would work!!Thank you

3. 
   Becky-book | Jul 07, 2008 03:50pm | #3

   Do you mean a light box for tracing? or one for photography?

   My dad made a great tracing box for me:
   wooden box,
   Plexiglas surface,
   florescent lights, (incandescent get too hot)

   I could measure it for you.

   Hope this helps,
   Becky

1. 
   sewmasta | Jul 07, 2008 06:56pm | #5

   HiYes, I saw there was some confusion. I meant a light box for tracing. Yes I would like the measurements and or supplies and process.Julia

1. 
   Becky-book | Jul 07, 2008 08:25pm | #6

   OK, here are the numbers:
   Plexiglas 23.25 inches x 15.25 inches
   wood box 23.5 x 15.5 x 4.5 inches
   .25 inch molding all around top of box to keep Plexiglas from sliding off
   2 florescent lights approx. 17 inches long
   2 wood handles (could be any kind of cabinet handle)Photos will follow in another post.Becky

1. 
   sewmasta | Jul 07, 2008 08:44pm | #8

   Hi BeckyThank you so much.Julie

1. 
   Becky-book | Jul 07, 2008 10:00pm | #11

   You are very welcome.One more detail...the bottom of the box is a piece of thin Masonite (wood) that fits into a groove that is cut in the side pieces (all the way around the box)My dad has lots of wood-working tools, but I don't remember all the right names for them.Hope this helps,
   Becky

2. 
   sewmasta | Jul 08, 2008 02:36am | #12

   Hi Beckythank you for the pics. You have a great light box. thank you for all your help. I have a friend who might help me out on this.Julie

3. 
   Cherrypops | Jul 08, 2008 08:22am | #14

   Thanks Becky.

   My uncle was going to make one but now I feel hubby will need to as I am getting desperate for one. Hubby knows how to make things too.

   Hope you and all the family are well.

   Anna-Maree - sydney

4. 
   Becky-book | Jul 08, 2008 03:22pm | #15

   If Hubby needs more info, just holler! I can give more specific measures and details.Family doing well, going to the pool with the "Grands" today! (after haircuts... motivation to sit really still for Mum!)Becky

2. 
   Becky-book | Jul 07, 2008 08:43pm | #7

   Photos of my box.

   
3. 
   Becky-book | Jul 07, 2008 08:46pm | #9

   More photos.

   
2. 
   Palady | Jul 25, 2008 02:23am | #24

   A true treasure made by your Dad!

   May I offer a thought?  If your Dad is still with you, consider having him sign, & date if remembered, the box side or bottom using a permanent indelible marker.  Or, he could use paint.

   There are things I have made by my father, and I now realize having his signature etc would add another dimension to my having his efforts.

   My husband refinished 3 early 20th century dining room chairs and I managed to get him to sign but one.  Our son now has, and uses, the chairs.  When son first happened to move one by turning it over, he noticed his Dad's signature.  He paused a bit for a moment, and then said how pleased he was to see it.  This was about 4 years after his Dad's demise.

   Son's children are now old enough to appreciate having a hand craft of their Grandad.  I overheard a discussion between them as to who would eventually have the signed chair. 

   me

    

1. 
   Becky-book | Jul 25, 2008 04:24am | #25

   Thanks for the idea! I will have to get just the right moment to ask him to do it or he will plant his heels and refuse! I can't remember how long ago it was made, several years at the very least!Becky

4. 
   damascusannie | Jul 07, 2008 09:11pm | #10

   I have a frosted glass cutting board and I just lean it against the edge of a table with a clamping task angled down to light under it and trace that way. I don't do a lot of tracing and it's almost always small stuff, so this works just fine for me.

1. 
   sewmasta | Jul 08, 2008 02:40am | #13

   This is a great idea too!! When you need a light box --you need it. Improvising like this is great. Thank you

5. 
   Teaf5 | Jul 08, 2008 09:22pm | #16

   The other suggestions are great; until you make a light box, you can achieve the same goal by using a patio door or window during the daytime. 

   I use masking tape and our north-facing patio door, then clean the window afterward.  Of course, I can't use it at night, but the best part is that I don't have to store another tool, it's huge, and it has nice straight framing on the edges I can use to line up the designs.  It works perfectly for tracing large pattern pieces, complicated designs, or for fitting photos into mats, and it's alway where I used it last!

6. 
   susieb | Jul 09, 2008 03:56pm | #17

   Many dentists/orthodontists used light boxes for viewing xrays. Many now view them on computer screens and don't have a use for their old light boxes. I work for an orthodontist and I now have his old light box. You might want to check with your dentist if he/she has digital xrays now.

1. 
   sewmasta | Jul 09, 2008 07:39pm | #19

   Great Idea!! Thank you.

7. 
   ThreadKoe | Jul 09, 2008 04:23pm | #18

   I use a plexiglass sheet over a cardboard box or a drawer with a couple of those battery operated lights in them. The sheet is easily stored out of the way with my cutting boards and boxes are easily come by in a pinch. Bigger things are traced on my picture window during the day. Not as professional looking I guess, but whatever works in a pinch... Cathy

1. 
   woggy | Jul 12, 2008 03:08pm | #22

   What a great idea!

8. 
   paddyscar | Jul 12, 2008 02:59am | #20

   If you have a kitchen or dining room table that pulls apart for inserting a leaf, you can put any lamp on the floor underneath it and place a sheet of glass/plexiglass over the gap in the table.

   If, like me, you have a glass top dining table, it's even easier :)

   Frances

1. 
   sewmasta | Jul 12, 2008 03:39am | #21

   Great Idea too!! Thank youJulia

2. 
   sewmasta | Jul 24, 2008 04:18pm | #23

   Hi Paddyscar

   Another great idea--i have a dining room table that has leaves.  Thank you.

    

   Julie