small flourescent fixtures

[Tom Deering <tdeering@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>I just did the final filling and sanding on one of Joel's MF wooden viewer
>>kits, and these things are great. Elegant, in fact. All the parts fit
>>snugly, and are beautifully cut.
>>
>>I'm trying to track down a fluorescent fixture that will fit the back, if
>>anyone knows a source for one that small.

>  A long time ago John Vala provided some info
>on a supplier of small fl tubes and ballasts.
>I think the prices worked out to about $15 for
>a tube with ballast. There were daylight tubes
>but nothing with a stated good CRI (color rendition
>index). I can dig it up if you like.

There is a lighting store in Chinatown that sells a cute little battery
powered flourescent fixture for $14.  It's powered by 4 AA cells.  The tube
is really too long to work well with the Saturn viewer, unless you highly
modified the viewer.  I can't vouch for the color rendition, but it's good
enough for me.

Tom