Starting on christmas presents

[myxpykalix]

here is a litho of the latest grandchild.
25914.jpg

[mmccue29]

Very nice

[scottcox]

Nice Jack! You've got those lithos down pat.

[gwilson]

Jack,
Looks great and with those eyes I bet she has Grandpa wrapped around her little finger pretty tight

[myxpykalix]

Shes "purdy"...(just like grandpa)...

[jhicks]

Jack, thats a terrific job. I know it may be explained elsewhere but could you let us know the specifics on software, material, bit etc? It looks like a great present but I have yet to make one. Your work inspired me to give it a try so any tips are appreciated.
Happy Holidays

[myxpykalix]

I sent the pic to a friend who sent me back the sbp. I use 1/4" bone colored corian (bought off ebay about $1.00/ea for 12"x12") with a 1/8th inch ballnose bit i get from www.centuriontools.com
It takes at least 5 hours to cut. I use cold cathode lights http://www.directron.com/
(less than $5.00/ea.) and they put out plenty of light with absolutely no perceptable heat. I had to buy a "wallwart" power supply. I found it was cheaper to go to our local "Roses" store and buy a million candle power light for $10.00, throw the light in the car and use the cigarette lighter plugin power cord to charge it and use the power supply on the litho, then to go to radio shack and pay $18.00 just for the wallwart. I did one for the other grandkids last christmas and it has been plugged in and on since then and uses very little wattage and still running. They are rated for 30,000 hours.

[bcammack]

www.allelectronics.com is a great place to find wall warts at good prices, Jack.

Those lithophanes just blow me away.

[myxpykalix]

The problem with them is they are so good, but take so long to make that its hard to make any money with them. By the time you cut it, make your box, wire it up, stain it you have 15+ hours in them (I work slower) so what could you charge and make a profit?

[jseiler]

If you don't want to make your own lightbox, this company makes nice products. Here's a link to their less expensive line.

http://www.photoglow.com/dd_page.html

I've tried to source brightness enhancing films and edgelit acrylic, but I've not had much luck finding anyone that will source small amounts.

Photoglow also sells thier backlights without frames too, but the reduction in cost for not having the frame is only about $10.

John