Glass for a Light table

markrewald · Nov 11, 2012

I got a sweet deal on a very large light 38" x 28" - Free. It needs a new piece of glass for the top. My guess is they were using it as a tracing table and cutting on it so the glass is pretty scratched. Easily fixed. I would like to get the right kind of glass for it, if there is such a thing. The glass is pretty thick and heavy (about 1/4in). Anyone have a recommendation for a type of glass to put in? I was thinking of going to a framing shop and seeing what they had - maybe get some of the high end anti-glare stuff. I imagine it is going cost me a pretty penny! If I can get by with regular pane of glass that would be a cost saver but I would rather have what is suppose to be in there.

Thanks!
Mark

Mark Fisher · Nov 11, 2012

I'd think you'd want something frosted, better translucent, to even out the light like on a commercial light table. I'd go to a window glass shop and see what they have.....maybe bring a flashlight with you to see how well it diffuses.

benjiboy · Nov 11, 2012

The glass you need is called "Flashed Opal" and they sell it at good glass merchants who will cut it to size for you..

tkamiya · Nov 11, 2012

As Mark said, you can find frosted glass at places that cuts window panes. I couldn't go for anti-glare because it'll be frosted anyway and back lit. I've seen home made ones that size and they all used plastic, not glass.

markrewald · Nov 11, 2012

Thanks for the fast responses. I will check out the window glass shop and see what they can do for me.

Thanks again!

markrewald · Nov 11, 2012

I Googled Flashed Opal glass and that's not what I need. The light table came with a acrylic frosted backing already. So I just need the glass. Would just some tempered glass work?

Bill Burk · Nov 11, 2012

Can you flip it over, or have they already scratched both sides?

adelorenzo · Nov 11, 2012

What about just using a sheet of acrylic? You should be able to get one from your local hardware store in either clear or white for cheap. If you want to get fancier you could look at something like lexan.

Mainecoonmaniac · Nov 11, 2012

If you have color balanced tubes and color rendition is critical, use acrylic. Glass can cause a green shift in color.

markrewald · Nov 13, 2012

Thanks again guys! Wonderful responses!

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 13, 2012

Opaque perspex is the ideal material. If you go into a framing shop, frosted UV-retardant glass is sometimes available (personally I have seen this on two home made light boxes illuminated by 8 banks of high intensity white LEDs), but it is not as good or practical in use as perspex. The light must be diffused or it will create eye fatique.

ic-racer · Nov 13, 2012

If it is a Nuarc light table, there is a separate diffuser and the top glass is not frosted. When I replaced mine I went to a window glass shop and got 1/4" and ask to have the edges beveled and the corners slightly rounded.

markrewald · Nov 13, 2012

ic-racer said:
If it is a Nuarc light table, there is a separate diffuser and the top glass is not frosted. When I replaced mine I went to a window glass shop and got 1/4" and ask to have the edges beveled and the corners slightly rounded.

That is the one I got. Not sure if it is Nuarc light table or not, but you describe it how it is set up. I am concerned about the cost of a piece of glass that size (38x28x.25). I will stop off at a framing shop I know and get an estimate.

Jeff Bannow · Nov 13, 2012

markrewald said:
That is the one I got. Not sure if it is Nuarc light table or not, but you describe it how it is set up. I am concerned about the cost of a piece of glass that size (38x28x.25). I will stop off at a framing shop I know and get an estimate.

Please let us know what they say.

John Koehrer · Nov 13, 2012

1/4" at a frame shop?
Try the glass shop, it should be much more reasonable and they'll be more familiar with thick glass.
Glass is available as "water clear" Think in terms of extra dollar signs.

Roger Thoms · Nov 13, 2012

ic-racer said:
If it is a Nuarc light table, there is a separate diffuser and the top glass is not frosted. When I replaced mine I went to a window glass shop and got 1/4" and ask to have the edges beveled and the corners slightly rounded.

+1

markrewald · Nov 13, 2012

Stopped off at a glass place quoted me $134 for 28x38x.25. That was plain tempered glass. Not bad.

Bill Burk · Nov 14, 2012

Not bad, bet you aren't going to go at it 8 hours a day with X-Acto knives like the former owner...

markrewald · Nov 14, 2012

previous owner was a graphics artist person who switched to all digital production. So I am guessing they used it as a tracing table. The thing was a bugger to haul home. But I am certainly going to enjoy using it over the little 11x8 thing I have now!

Though the future wife rolled her eyes big time when I brought it home. She just doesn't understand these things.

Mainecoonmaniac · Nov 14, 2012

I went through a Printing Technologies at our local junior college to get a degree in desktop publishing. it was 20 years ago and they were slowly getting rid of their light tables, stat cameras and darkroom. A couple of years earlier, they were teaching courses in stripping. Back then, highly trained printers were able make negs to burn printer plates. I'm sure that skill in plate making is a lost art. Some print shops go direct to plate without even using image setter negs to burn the plate.

markrewald · Nov 14, 2012

I have seen some course work art one of the art colleges around Denver that do that sort ofprint making with negs and burning plates. That looks like a lot of fun. Something I probably would find very difficult to do in my garage and the Mrs. wondering why she can't park her car in the garage because there is a printing press in her spot. Would be an interesting sell...

Mainecoonmaniac · Nov 15, 2012

Old offset litho is probably dead. The strange thing is that letter press is coming back in some circles. Martha Stewart is a fan.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 15, 2012

i used a piece of milky plexiglass for a similar-size table. by the way mine is available for freeif you are willing to to comepick it up too.

bdial · Nov 15, 2012

...Though the future wife rolled her eyes big time when I brought it home. She just doesn't understand these things.

I got a similar deal on a large light table, my wife helped me haul it home though.

markrewald · Nov 15, 2012

Ralph it would be an honor just to come out and visit you and pick your brain let alone pick up a piece of pliexi glass. =)

Glass for a Light table

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