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=item45ee02a1c9Additional 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!!
>