Sourcing tools- a UV light box.

15 posts
0 new

26.07.11 - 10:47am

Hello,

So I am a recent jewellery graduate that is now let loose in the real world of making and I need to photo etch.

Alot of my work uses photo etching and I want to be able to set up my own miniature/portable dark room so I can can expose my film and create beautiful etchings. But where oh where can I find a reasonably priced UV light box?

I can't seem to find them out there, so now think I might give my dad a mission to try and make me one, is that a totally unrealistic thought?

I am still new to the world of sourcing the best places to find new tools, I need tips.

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Vanilla Ink

26.07.11 - 11:11am

Have you tried ebay? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A3-TATTOO-LIGHT-BOX-KIT-LIGHTBOX-DRAWING-STENC... :)

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26.07.11 - 11:23am

Make one! http://www.ehow.com/how_5004694_make-uv-light-box.html

Lots of instructions available. They're used by people making printed circuit boards too, so you tend to find instructions on tech sites. It'll keep your dad occupied for a bit...

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Dougie Kinnear

26.07.11 - 12:20pm

Cheapest I could find Roisin, there's a Maplins in Dundee so at least you could go and see it and make a decision. Making one might be good for Papa but by the time you source parts etc will it be worth it?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/uv-exposure-unit-26301

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Dougie Kinnear

26.07.11 - 12:24pm

Following on from Jonathan's comment, if you decide to make one, buy one from Kates link then you have the box, tube fittings power source and all you need is a lid, clear acrylic top and UV tubes

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CHRISTINA HIRST

26.07.11 - 1:10pm

I would say don't bother with buying loads of equipment and you will need to be handling acid too!! Just find a reliable photo etchers, try PPD you will have to do a sheet at a time but it will be less hassle. Remember your time is more expensive than the materials you use (yes even gold!) and if someone else is doing the etching it leaves you free to do everything else.......which in the case of a Designer/Maker is A LOT!!

Or become a member of a print studio (DCA or Edinburgh Printmakers) and do your photoetching there and meet other creative people you can collaborate with :).......you could even do some prints while you were at it!

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Vanilla Ink

26.07.11 - 5:19pm

That is actually great advice from Chrissie! I use PPD and their etching come back perfect everytime! It was a bit of a hassle getting a sheet done at a time but if you plan it out then it could work out cheaper...in time definitely :)

The DCA is also a good plan, however, I know that you are wanting to move to Edinburgh so might not be an option to do that. But there might be a place in Edinburgh that does. Try the Printmakers studio.

Also...Vanilla Ink will have this facility in due course so you could come use that whenever you like ;)

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Molly Ginnelly

26.07.11 - 6:58pm

Whenever I have done photoetching I havn't used a light box, I used pnp paper and a laser jet printer. Whats the difference from that to using a lightbox may I ask? On the PPD site do you have to send them your silver, I'm not sure what 'Nickel Silver' is. What would be the minimum size?

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Roisin Connolly

26.07.11 - 7:40pm

Wow, lots of advice. I like doing the etching myself because of the unpredictability of it all an and that the the etching isn't always perfect. I thought once I had a little kit for myself it could become hopefully (in the long run) the more affordable option for myself because I love etching... and if I didn't do etching I'd feel a little lost. Yes Kate I do have the issue of trying to get to Edinburgh in the coming months and working out where best to put my money- do I go somewhere like the DCA or Edinburgh Printmakers. Lots to think about, exciting though exciting.

I have never used PnP so can't really compare, the film I use for etching is light sensitive it feels like you're exposing an old photograph when in the dark room. I think I have heard it can sometimes be hard to get more detail with PnP but I'm not sure, that might not be true.

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#10

Vanilla Ink

26.07.11 - 7:43pm

I meant to add this in my last comment! I miss going through the process of etching! I too love the unpredicticality of it! The process is time consuming but I do miss it!! I wanted to join the DCA to do my own but it is a bit ourt of my price range just now!

Molly I'm not sure the difference but I certainly know someone who does so I shall ask her! But the PnP paper is simply just a different process to the photographic film and is a lot quicker than the film. That's the main difference, not much difference in the outcome :)

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#11

26.07.11 - 7:56pm

I've only photo etched zinc plates at the the dca for drawings - not tried copper or silver- but highly recommend it as a a useful source to get into. Rob is really useful and they are so up for people trying new things from different back grounds that there not used to. You can do one to one classes ( or cheekily pair up- for a one to one session) and you pretty much flying from there. Although to be honest a one to one session wouldn't teach you anything new about etching if your already a pro. So an induction might be all you would need. Once a member its only £2 for 2 hours of £4 for the day i think. Hope this is helpful-

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#12

Molly Ginnelly

26.07.11 - 8:09pm

Roisin, I've attached a pic or a link of a pendant I did using pnp paper, it can be unpredictable, I think a lot depends on the quality of print on the paper itself with a laser jet printer. I used safe etch onmy pieces as I did not want to burn my fingers off with the scarey stuff! It doesn't go very deep but sufficed for what I needed.

etched pendant