How to Make a Stained-Glass Light Box
Placing stained glass on a light box provides the detail necessary to assist in choosing the perfect piece for your stained glass pattern. The finest detail can only be seen in the glass when it is backlit. You can also use a light box to see a finished panel and take photos of it.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 fluorescent light fixtures 24” to 36” long (under-the-counter fixtures work well)
- Surge protector
- 1 x 8”x12’ pine board
- Heavy Cardboard
- White paint
- Screws
- Drill with screw bit
- Square
- 4’ x 4’ piece of glass
- Clear glass glue
Instructions
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1
Cut the pine board into two 4’ and two 3’ 11” lengths. Place the 3’ 11” pieces against the inside edges of the 4’ pieces. Build a 4’ x 4’ frame and, using a drill with a screw bit, screw it together. Ensure that it is square. Cut a notch in the bottom of one strip for electrical cord access. Paint the entire frame with white paint.
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2
Attach one fluorescent light fixture, facing inward, to the inside of each board. Plug each into the surge protector.
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3
Cut two 3”x 4’ strips of heavy cardboard and two 3”x 3’ 11” strips of cardboard. Paint them white on both sides. When dry, attach them to the top of the frame, placing the outside edges against the outside edges of the frame, to cover the florescent lights. This will also serve as a buffer to attach the glass top. “According to “How to Make a Lightbox for Under $40”, by Maureen Summy , “This will act as a shield to hide the light source, but allow the result of the light sources to lay a steady stream of continuous light rays all over the painted white surfaces of your new light box”. If three inches does not cover the florescent light fixtures, make them wider.
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4
Cut a 4’x 4’ square piece of heavy cardboard. Paint it white. When dry pull the power cord from the surge protector strip through the notch in the wood frame and attach the cardboard, with screws, to the bottom of the square frame.
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5
Apply a continuous stream of clear glue to the top outside edges, of the 3” cardboard strips. Place the clear glass on top of the light box and gently press to adhere to the glue. Let dry completely.
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Plug in your light box to view your selection of stained glass or to display a finished piece of stained glass art for viewing or to take a professional looking photo before giving the piece to the customer.
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