convert old slides or negatives into digital images. Light tables aren't just for photo geeks -- they're excellent for studying insects, leaves and flowers you've gathered.

They're common in photo studios, and new ones can cost over a hundred dollars. But with some reused materials and a little creativity, you can make a light table yourself on the cheap.

If you're looking to build the other kind of photographer's light box -- a box filled with diffuse light that's used for close-up photography of small objects, also called a "light tent" -- we have a tutorial on making one of those, too.

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What you'll need

You'll need a box big enough to hold your light fixture, a lighting system, and the glass top. Underneath the glass top, you'll need a translucent material to help diffuse your light source. A sheet of drafting acetate works well. You can also use a couple sheets of tracing paper.

Unless you need a custom light table at a very specific size, it's a good idea to build around whatever used components you can find on the cheap. So if you find a nice piece of tempered glass or an old dresser drawer, design around that component. Same with the lighting. If you can find a fluorescent-tube light fixture, say 10" or 12" or 16", it will help you know how big or small your box will be.

The box

The best starting point is to use an old drawer that's about 24x18".

If you can't find one, here's how you can build your own.

Find a board that's about 8" wide and long enough to cut into four pieces in order to build a rectangular box. You'll also need a thin piece of paneling or 1/4" plywood for the bottom of your box. Again, you can probably find these materials used.

Use a combo of wood glue and tiny nails to build the sides of your basic box frame. Then, use screws to attach the bottom to your box. That way, you can unscrew the bottom panel for future maintenance.

Whether using a drawer or building your own, drill several holes along two sides of the box for ventilation. This is a good idea regardless of whether your light source puts off a lot of heat or, like LEDs, very little heat.

The light

You'll need a compact, low heat and low power lighting fixture for the best results. The soft, diffuse light of a small fluorescent bulb is perfect for this project. You can get a cheap fluorescent fixture and a bulb for under $20 at any well-stocked hardware store.

Attach your lighting fixture firmly to the bottom of your box, then drill a hole for your cord to exit the box. You'll also have to figure out how to manage an accessible switch. An easy solution is to plug in your box when you use it and unplug it when you're finished.

Either way, make sure your light source is at least three or four inches away from where your glass will be, in order to keep a little distance between the heat of the bulb(s) and the glass. If you decide to use a low-heat LED source, you have a little more leeway.

The glass

The glass is where your slides, flora or other materials will rest so they can be illuminated. It's essential to both quality and safety to choose a sturdy piece of glass or plexiglass that's free of flaws.

Sourcing

A pre-used piece of tempered glass would be a great choice. It's what they use in photocopiers and scanners. It's treated to prevent it from cracking or breaking. If you want to build a small light table, go to a reuse center or junk shop that carries out-of-date electronics and purchase a cheap scanner, then remove the glass and build your box around it.

Most big hardware stores can cut glass for you if you need a specific size. Don't try it yourself unless you're a pro -- it's tricky and dangerous.

You can also use a piece of opaque plexiglass or hard plastic, but you'll have to design it carefully so the heat from light doesn't melt it or harm it.

Diffusing

Once you have your glass and your box, you'll need to attach something to the bottom of the glass to help diffuse your light source. Drafting acetate, which can be found at art supply stores or online, is a good solution. Just cut a piece that's the same size as the glass and tape it securely.

You can also try to find or purchase an opaque plexiglass, which would diffuse light nicely.

In a pinch, you can use ordinary paper, but drafting acetate is best.

Installation

Use polyurethane glue, clear epoxy or another strong adhesive to attach the glass to the top of the box. Remember that you used screws to attach the bottom, so you don't need the glass to be easily removable. You can perform maintenance on the lighting rig or change out the diffusing paper by carefully flipping the box over so it rests on the glass and unscrewing the bottom.

This page was last modified 22:45, 21 September 2010 by snackfight.

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