Homebrew PCBs

One souce of inexpensive UV bulbs is the little U shaped bulbs used in the gel nail curing units -- You can even buy the entire unit and hack out the ballast circuit as well. Just do an ebay search for gell curing lamps.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-x-9W-UV-GEL-NAIL-CURING-LAMP-U-SHAPE-LIGHT-BULB-175-/300345893321?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ee02a1c9

Additional ballasts can be had by hacking the bases of compact FL lamps. 

I was thinking of making a 6 tube unit -- 3 on the top 3 on the bottom.
Though it may be easier to build a UV LED array.

Craig 

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "kirilian2351" <kirilian2351@...> wrote:
>
> I am wanting to build a UV light box.  I have read as many internet 
> articles as I could find on the subject.  Some articles will 
> recommend certain bulbs while other articles will say to stay away 
> from those that were recommended.  What is the best bulb to use that 
> is easily obtainable?  I have read an article that suggested using 
> bug zapper bulbs.  My local Home Depot carries 15W and 40W versions 
> of the replacement bulbs for the Zapper models.  Would this type of 
> bulb work?  I have also read about breaking the glass shell of a 
> mercury vapor bulb and using the internal tube as a UV source.  I 
> don't plan to make large circuit boards (no larger than 6" square).
> 
> Thanks!!
>