Renata wrote:
I got that one too. Mine is thin enough to put in a brief case. I love it. I tend to do lots of short trips and always take work of some sort with me.

Actually,mine is an artograph but it is more like Nancy's. I got it at Michael's. The original price was $149.00 but I had a 50% off coupon. You need to shop around for the best price and used coupons if you can.

There are lots of ways to make a light box. I would not want to be leaning on glass, however. Something to think about.

Or how about using a pane of glass like from an old window? Might find one at a yard sale. Set it on some books or bricks or shoe boxes or whatever, on a table and slide a light under it. Voila! Light table on the cheap!!

You can make a great light box by inverting a plastic storage bin - the shallow one that is meant to go under a bed - cut a hole for a cord and set a light inside. Not my original idea, but a good one.

Scoopie wrote:
Dawn, I just use the plexiglass extension table I bought for my featherweight and slide an Ott light under it.

http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/extension-tables.php

My Ott light is really old and a different shape, but is similar to this:

http://www.ottlite.com/p-307-led-handheld-task-light.aspx

Yeah Nancy, that is a wonderful light box! I looked at those, too. But, the price is a bit steep for me right now! I am always saving my pennies for my trip to Houston Festival every year. It is VERY costly to fly out of here. But, I am looking at all of the options, and that one did catch my eye!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Thanks Margo for posting the link to Amazon for my light box.

Oh, thanks Margo! I think I was writing, while you were posting! Yup, that's the one. Which one do you use?

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Margo wrote:
I originally got a cheaper version of this light box and didn't like the slanted top, especially when working on larger wholecloths. I recently invested in this light box:

http://www.joann.com/copic-comicmaster-led-lightbox-14-25-x10-875-/zprd_11542677a/

This one is flat, the light is strong and it has smooth rounded corners that don't catch on things when you shift a larger drawing. For me, this is working much better. I think light boxes are like everything else, different models will work better for different people.

Nancy

Renata wrote:
I have previously done some research, and came to the conclusion that that was probably the one I would get. And, of course I read all of the reviews, too. Seemed like the best one, for the money. And, once I started looking, I realized there is a downside to a really big one! I want to trace up close, and therefor would not want to reach more than 12" out! It would be hard on my shoulder!

Ann, Oh what I give for all of the glass top tables that I used to have! That would make life simple! I don't mind doing small tracings at the window, but I would never consider doing this intricate one at a window. I can do the standing, it's the shoulder that wouldn't hold out! (I messed up a previous shoulder surgery, so am limited!)

Sue, I'll check out the dickblick site. Thanks!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Here is a link to the Amazon light box so you will know what to look for:

http://www.amazon.com/ARTOGRAPH-LIGHT-TRACER-2-12x18/dp/B001DIFWQA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367328815&sr=8-2&keywords=Artograph+LightTracer2+light+box

I recently purchased the Artograph LightTracer2 light box, 12"x18" working surface and I am very happy with it. It was an Amazon purchase but most art supply stores seem to carry this brand. It had a significant number of positive customer reviews.

an alternative to a light box is a glass table with a light placed underneath it or a piece of glass or plexiglass placed on something so you can put a light underneath it. And of course there is always the old fashioned way by taping your pattern and tracing paper to a window. That is the hard way, I think, because standing to trace is a challenge for me. But where there is a will there is a way. Also some of the sewing tables can be fitted with plexiglass to make a light table. I was given a small light box for my birthday a few years ago and love it but wish it were larger. Hugs, Ann

Scoopie wrote:
hi Dawn, when you begin to shop, check out http://www.dickblick.com There is a great selection of very nice light boxes and usually enough purchasing to get shipping free.