As Far As I Can Tell


Light Table

Almost a year after having the initial idea I’ve finally finished upgrading my light table. I tore out all of the corroded, nasty ballasts and fixtures and replaced them with shiny new ones. I also doubled the lighting capacity to six 24” tubes. I’m going to use this as a regular light table and for doing screen exposures.

I bought “daylight” tubes that are supposed simulate the noon day sun, but one of them doesn’t seem to work and I had to use a regular “cool white” one. The difference is only somewhat noticeable to the eye, but check out how obvious it is in the photograph below.

Light Table Overview

Closeup of ballasts

Warm and cool light


 

Comments

maybe i’m stupid … but what’s a light table for?

Posted by: miguel on April 30, 2003 4:40 PM

It can be used for viewing transparencies, film or doing a variety of graphic arts work that involves aligning or cutting. I’m also going to be using it as a consistent light source to expose light sensitive emulsion that has been applied to screens for screen printing. It might clarify things a bit to note that there is a semi-opaque glass top that sits above those bulbs.

Posted by: simon on April 30, 2003 9:36 PM

Congratulations on the completion of your light table. I have always been slightly jealous of your light table and will now look into purchasing my own. Seeing as how I am not very skilled at freehand drawing the light table makes it easy to trace things. I now recall a conversation in college where we were labelled as cheaters by a certain SW for tracing.

Posted by: ivo on May 1, 2003 8:06 AM

Ok. I’ve no idea what any of this means: ” I?m also going to be using it as a consistent light source to expose light sensitive emulsion that has been applied to screens for screen printing. It might clarify things a bit to note that there is a semi-opaque glass top that sits above those bulbs.”

Posted by: miguel on May 2, 2003 1:52 AM

If you have to ask…you’ll never know.

Posted by: allison on May 5, 2003 10:41 AM

ouch.

Posted by: miguel on May 5, 2003 12:49 PM


As far as who can tell?


Chicago, IL

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