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This is for one of my grandsons who likes to draw. One thing he likes to do is print photos or drawings that he finds online, then trace them. Now he can put the drawing on his new light box, plug it in and easily trace it with the bright LED lights shining through.

The box is made of scrap pine, maple and oak plywood. It has mitered corners reinforced with biscuits. I included a small storage compartment to hold the cords, transformer and some drawing supplies. The door for the compartment has an old magnetic catch and some old hinges I found in my basement. I put an old window pull on one edge so it can be carried like a briefcase.

I covered the inside of the box with metallic duct tape that reflects the light. I bought a 5m long strip of 12v LED lights and stuck them to the bottom of the box. The strip has a peel and stick backing. I bought two 11" x 14" sheets of acrylic to serve as the window through which the light shines. There is a sheet of white paper sandwiched between the two acrylic sheets to diffuse the light. I got ideas for making the box from a few YouTube videos.

The project kept Grandpa busy for a little while, now it should keep the grandson occupied until he develops an interest in something else. He has plenty of cousins he can pass the light box on to when that time comes.

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· Registered
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230 Posts
Great idea, I bet he will love it.
 

· Banned
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8,402 Posts
I'm really glad you posted this. I have a thread running here, that had led me to the conclusion to do exactly what I see you did. What's great about your post is that it confirms the pattern of light strips inside the fixture works. I'd planned to use foil as a reflector, but your metallic duct tape idea is much better.

About the only difference for me is that mine will be long and narrow, and I plan to use a frosted acrylic panel to diffuse the light, since it will be lighting an area, and not serving as a light table.
 

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Looks good, like RichTaylor I have another idea but the concept you display proves it will work. Thanks for posting!
 

· Registered
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585 Posts
I think you did a great job onit.

I also see a use to help the L-J/ Scrollsaw Village communities to change/draw patterns on a similar device. Could make enlarging some things easier or even picking ideas from old film negatives too.
 

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176 Posts
That is a great idea.
 
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