homebrew lightbox

[LDAEnt@xxxxxxx]

Again , this is for the, at least, moderately talented hobbiest.
The light box is easily made from Radio Shack elect. hobby boxes of the right
size to hold the batteries, bulb, etc. You do the layout of batteries and
viewer interface to size the box, buy a larger box than you need to makes
things easier.  You must be creative to make the insides work. You can buy
two battery holders at Radio S., but I'm not sure if they sell a screw in
bulb base.  Buy a momentary pushbutton switch.  Wire and glue away inside the
box (after you cut the two holes for the viewer to mount over and paint the
inside of the box flat white). 
 If you are adventureous, you can make a battery holder, bulb holder , and
switch all in one unit by accurately bending a single piece of brass flat
stock (1/2" wide by 1/32" thick) (hobby shop again). Drill a hole for the
bulb thread, cut the brass web on one side of the hole and slightly twist the
hole to imitate a single thread.  The bulb will screw in (just like the old
viewers). The bulb will be upside down and mounted at the top of the viewer.
 I don't know if halogen bulbs can stand being upside down, I use the incand.
245 bulb.   The batteries will rest inbetween the two vertical legs of the
brass, using the brass for elect. contact.  The batteries will need to be
held in place from moving, so use two or more nylon loop clamps (pipe clamps)
for battery clips.  The viewer cutouts will be centered around the bulb.

                          push here
                                  l
                     _______V______________
                     l                         ____________________
                     l                            bulb
                        l
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                     l                   batteries
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                     l__________________________________l
                                                                         
Use white unruled index card for the reflector.  Cut it a little larger than
the width of the box inside walls, flex it into an arc and slide in.  The
curve is controlled by how long you  cut the card. 
I have left out many details that can't be conveyed clearly by E-mail, that's
why you need some creative talents to make this.  What I am trying to do is
save some trial and error and give people some confidence that it can be done
with ordinary materials and tools.  You will not waste lots of money with
these ideas. Even if it doesn't come out like you want, you will still have
learned something, and will be further along the way to perfecting your
construction skills. Things rarely work out right the first time, so have
perseverence.

Alan Lewis


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