How to make a light table

by Tom Drary on August 30, 2010


Madeline Donahue and Josh Copp build a light table (known to the pros as an exposure unit) out of stuff from the hardware store so they can burn silk screens at home. Feel free to use this as inspiration to build your own. The electrical stuff can be dangerous, so if you’re not comfortable with wiring up the lights yourself, get some help just to be safe. Wiring diagram is on our blog fakedog.squarespace.com, posted 8-15-10.

{ 25 comments }

MadelineDonahue August 30, 2010 at 6:05 pm

@vmcloving
the old link was on my old website, the image is posted on our blog which is in the video summary (where old link was). I cannot post links on these comments so please look there or google Madeline Donahue Fakedog Blog to find it.
Thanks for watching!

MadelineDonahue August 30, 2010 at 6:30 pm

@youtubbin16
diagram is up on the blog, I updated the video summary with the blog address so check there for diagram! Thanks for watching!
Madeline

vmcloving August 30, 2010 at 7:26 pm

the link to the the instructions is dead :( is there another????

youtubbin16 August 30, 2010 at 7:57 pm

Hey, i was looking for the wiring instructions for the light exposure box, but the website is down. Do you happen to have the instructions elsewhere?

ChrisBowlas August 30, 2010 at 7:58 pm

Not bad, but there are a couple of points that could be better.

1) The light table, as it was made, has no way of replacing the tubes. As they do not last for ever, a double box design (outer box takes the glass top, lower box takes the base and tubes) would be rather better – to get at the tubes, just lift up and remove the outer box.

2) To remove the sharp edge from the glass, just chamfer or bevel it lightly with a fine-grained oilstone.

2submit August 30, 2010 at 8:35 pm

@MadelineDonahue hi your hot in he boy friend or just your carpenter

pukingdeserthobo August 30, 2010 at 8:46 pm

where did you guys get the lights?

Lalaine8U August 30, 2010 at 9:37 pm

hi! hi great video.
what exactly is the type of fluorescent light you used here and the wattage?And how long does it take to expose the screen with this type of exposure unit?

thank you.

Ricardouhhi August 30, 2010 at 10:26 pm

What kind of light Bulbs should I get for burning silk screen ? Please reply

HippoKissez August 30, 2010 at 11:22 pm

@MadelineDonahue Mine is stable enough for drawing, it’s much smaller, It’s just uncomfortable..

MadelineDonahue August 31, 2010 at 12:17 am

WIRING: Youtube won’t let you post links. Please read full video description for link to wiring instructions.

MadelineDonahue August 31, 2010 at 12:23 am

@HippoKissez
This is not a light table for drawing. This is for burning screens for screenprints. You can also use this table to look at slides- not recommended for drawing. The glass is not stable enough for the pressure of drawing.
Please buy a drawing light table if that’s what you are trying to do.

HippoKissez August 31, 2010 at 12:29 am

I made one but I’m gonna just end up buying one.

After awhile..depending on how often you use it, it gets painful. Leaning over on the wood leaves marks in my arms, your back starts to hurt, and for me my pants dig into my hips leaning on it to draw :(

MadelineDonahue August 31, 2010 at 1:05 am

link to Instructions for wiring are in the video description

kork33 August 31, 2010 at 1:08 am

great video going to make one this weekend. thanks

16mike89 August 31, 2010 at 1:27 am

how long does it take you to get a screen ready with this lights??
i mean for screen printing

RionNipal August 31, 2010 at 2:01 am

@MadelineDonahue 1:20 Safety first!

EvolutionXEngine August 31, 2010 at 2:32 am

what is the exact light your using? UV, florescent, ..Watts? ……..

RUINER105 August 31, 2010 at 3:10 am

@timilievski
his fingers where waaaayy closer than hers ….but neither of them were wearing safety glasses…great vid though…

eliyahfeld August 31, 2010 at 3:30 am

Very nice, guys. Although I would suggest using a plastic glass – only one fall of something rather heavy on this glass would be enough to brake it – waste of money, danger, waste of time , the lights could be damaged also.. but except for that – it’s great :) Also you can totally use recycled materials for all parts of this table.

nashmu August 31, 2010 at 3:55 am

As someone asked before what type of lights are they and where did you get the light unit?

quixotetranslations August 31, 2010 at 4:25 am

Josh is cute

AFateSoTwisted August 31, 2010 at 4:45 am

Very well done. Now I just need to show this to my husband so he can make me one ! :-D

wastpoanfd August 31, 2010 at 5:38 am

she’s hot

timilievski August 31, 2010 at 6:21 am

her fingers were too close to the drop saw…..hmmmm

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