making a light box
by Kay
I made a light box from 1/2 inch PVC pipe for less than $10. The instructions couldn’t be written more clearly. If you buy PVC at Lowe’s, have the guy cut it. Unless you have a PVC pipe cutter. Then I bow down before you and you totally should cut it yourself.
Light boxes online come with a baffling array of expensive bulbs:
- 11 watt florescent with 5400 K daylight
- 250 watt tungsten with 3200 K lamps
- 500 watt flood lights
- 15 watt florescent with 5000 K balanced light
- 250 watt monolights
I bought inexpensive bulbs from Lowe’s with Kelvin rating of 6500 and a clean, white light. I also bought cheap clip-on reflector work lights.
Tom added two sheet metal screws to the top rail. I punched holes in poster board and hung it from the screws to form a backdrop. Easy peasy.
left on walnut 
It really DOES look easy peasy! Thanks for offering these instructions!
What a great idea, thanks for posting the link and pictures.
What a great idea. I admire you for doing it yourself. This is a wonderful idea for teachers. In Ontario, grade 4 children learn about light so it would be a great project for a class.
This looks like a great project. I could certainly use a light box!