Most discount building supply companies have pre-assembled fixtures made to
use as under-counter lights or shop lights. The Palladio catalog shows them
in use. However, your friend must confirm the wattage of the bulbs compared
to the ballasts of the units. Some 24 inch bulbs are 20 watts which the
ready made units can handle, but some 24 inch bulbs, like mine, are 40 watt
and need new ballasts. What I did was buy 4 foot fixtures (rated at 40
watts) for 2 foot bulbs and just cannibalized all the parts. I built a
20x24, 40 watt exposure unit for just under $500 complete; the price
includes the redwood box the lights are housed in, all switches, plugs,
etc. The real steal was that I had found a 20x24 inch vacuum frame with
pump for only $125 (scrounge the print shops going from film to digital to
pick up cheap vacuum frames, plateburners, etc.) The ones I use in my
workshops are just a set of 3 or 4 of the units taped together and plugged
into a power strip; no carpentry, no electrical work, easy as pie, but I
actually find making pies pretty difficult so let's say easy as Sara Lee.
Made that way, I can assemble a small unit, 15 watts, which would print two
4x5's end to end for about $50.