Kitebuilder.com

[kiteguy]

Several suggestions have been floating around about using a patio door or window for a "light table".

As I am to frugle to lay out the cash for the materials for an official light table, and I do not have patio doors, or access to window glass more than 10 inches square, I have had to improvise. Most of my kitebuilidng takes place late at night the window options are a moot point.

So I improvise other ways. I used a window pane from my storm door rested on two chairs with a lamp underneath it. That worked, but there are safety issues.

I found a shower door at a garage sale, and it was much stronger, but very narrow, and had desinges on it which made it a bit difficult to use.

Finally I just took a piece of 1/4 inch tempered glass from a storm window that I found in my daughter's trash when she was moving into a rental house. I took it home, layed it on some children's blocks and tossed a set of Holiday lightes underneath for the light source.

That works fine. Easy to store when not in use, too. Anyway, I shared my idea with Progcraft and he made the following.




His version is much more permanent than mine! But mine is larger. LOL

Thanks for sharing the photograph, Terry.
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Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education

[knotronda]

If you frosted the glass a little, then you wouldn't have the glare from the lights shining into your eyes.

KR

[kiteguy]

[Progcraft]

G'day
Ya know, it's cheap, it ain't pretty, it's portable (it puts away easy). Sure, it ain't fancy. It's not opaque, and my stereo is dustier, but the important thing is, it works like a charm It really does. It's worth the coupe bucks.
I have an idea to take 'el-cheapo one step further. Sure, it's a coupe more bucks, but I think it will be really good

P
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There is no box.
Children of the Wind Kite Festival
http://www.windykids.ca/

[wdrwilson]

You can get glass etching creme at the craft shops or home improvment centers.. it does a nice job of "fogging" the glass so that it is opaque..

I think this was posted once before....

--Bill

[wdrwilson]

For those wishing more information on etching creme here is a good write up...

http://www.etchmaster.com/information_site/is_chemical.htm

--Bill

[KiteSquid]

I also just taped thin paper to the under side of the glass to defues the light.

It works well...

It also allows you to turn your glass over when you scratch up the top surface too much....
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA


P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

[Progcraft]

My $3.99 light set stopped working the other day

P.
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There is no box.
Children of the Wind Kite Festival
http://www.windykids.ca/

[Stan]

An orbital sander with the right paper will frost glass, but be sure to rest it on a flat padded surface, or you'll break it.
Most home DIY stores sell a spray frosting for windows to keep the neighbors from spying on you.

[Fool]

I just picked up an old sliding glass door from my grandma's house. {she's a pack-rat, keeps EVERYTHING.}. It measures out to be 3' x 6' 8" and has laminated 2 peices of 1/4" tempered glass. I plan on building the table section soon and was wondering from your personal experiences what's a reasonable height for a standing table. I'm 6' so the standard 32" table tops are a bit low and are a strain on my back. I was thinking somewhere around 40" or so. Also what does everyone think of using fluorecent bulbs? I was planning on using two or three 4' bulbs to light under the glass but i'm not sure if a light difussing vinyl on the underside will break the bulb's light up enough to get an even lighting underneith the glass. Any ideas or suggestions? Also if anyone's willing to make a trip I know where another big glass door is...
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Chris Taylor
Dayton, OH