----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 4:23
PM
Subject: non UV light table maybe
OT
Amongst other things I have been tasked withat the University
of Dayton is replacing a 30 year old light table once our photo area moves
across campus to a new building. Does anyone have any leads on plans for
making a light table. Our area will be sharing it with the design area so it
is expected to be central and large. We have a staff that can build the light
table that is putting in our cabinets and sinks. Are there any plans in an
old, out of print "build your own darkroom" book that can be increased in
scale. At the moment I don't have a measurement for our old light table but it
is approximately 3 feet by 5 feet.
3 x 5 feet is a reasonable
size, plastic stores sell highly diffuse plastic sheet that works fine for
the surface, I think they come larger than this. You may want more than one
layer to further diffuse the light. There are a number of variations on the
source, for instance fluorescent tubes or even an array of "compact" fluorescent
lamps. The latter have the advantage of fitting in ordinary medium screw-base
sockets. One can get the tubes in color temperatures suitable for judging color.
I think 5000K is the official temperature for graphics work.
The inner surface can be reflecting if you like,
there are flat white paints that should work.
If the school has a sheet metal shop perhaps they
could be sweet-talked into making the thing as a student project (i.e., free).
Can any of the existing table be
salvaged?