Has anyone done a poster lightbox like this:
1. Get an existing poster frame (I like Michaels frames with a coupon)
2a. Get a piece of clear plastic the same size of cardboard/compressed wood backing that holds the poster in the frame (a business in the Bay Area called tap plastics sell these).
2b. Even cheaper would be to cut the cardboard/compressed wood backing to about 1/2 to 1 inch all the way around the back of the frame making a window type image so that light can pass through the back of the poster.
3. Go to home depot and buy 4 pieces of 1" by 2" at the appropriate lengths to be glued to the back of the frame to give it depth.
4.Paint the 4 pieces of 1" by 2" the same color as the frame (most likely black).
5. For lights there are numerous things from rope lights (you would have to plug them in) to those tap lights you have seen on tv that are sold everywhere (so no plugging it in) as well as many other lights.

What do you all think? Anyone try somehting similar? Anyone see any issues that may arise?

nice idea.

If you plan on leaving the same poster in all the time it would be great, otherwise you may have to find a way to switch the poster in and out.

I have four posters other than the light box poster in the stair going to the theater. I may give this a try.

The only problem I had is that the frames I found at Hobby Lobby were smaller than a regular 27 x 40 ds poster.

You will discover you need a light diffuser between the light source and the poster to minimize hot spotting.

Curtis, this really old thread may be of interest:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=496487&highlight=diy+poster+box

Thanks for that post with the other DIY lightboxes, some really interesting ideas. I read through some of it but it is long and and have a simple question: If I wanted to build my own frame and all where are people buying the glass/plastic front?