What's a cheap way to build a fixture (just the enclosure and maybe reflector)?

[Dtip]

I need to build a sort of fuge light, and I need to build it using your average unadorned bulb/light socket (which I already have). I'm basically just trying to see if anyone knows a good DIY option for the boxy enclosure to hold the light (and also block it out from anywhere but where it's directed) and maybe stick a reflector. The goal would be to enclose the light as much as possible on five sides, so that I can direct it down into a sort of macro without extra light going all over the place.

It also has to be study, and well, not melt. I'll be using one of those standard flourescent twisty bulbs that replace incandescents, and hopefully also stick some sort of splash guard on there to keep any stray water out of the box.

Has anyone come across some cheap item that would be easy to convert to this purpose?

 

[smmscott]

white painted plywood box.

 

[serpentman]

Plywood box works well. Personally, I would go with a 65K spotlight bulb from Lights of America (found at Home Depot). The bulb will do the majority of the reflection downward.

 

[Tswifty]

Here's what I have always used. Just a clamp on work light from Lowes or Home Depot & a spiral energy saver bulb.

 

[Esquare]

I have the same fixture as Tswifty but removed the reflector as I use cheap bulbs from home depot that have the reflector built in the bulb.

 

[84chris]

Agreed, just use the home depot fixture!

 

[Dtip]

My only problem with those reflectors is that I don't really have the space for a hangdown light: I need the bulb (and its socket) to be parallel to the sump in order to fit things in. But now that I think about it, I could use tin snips to cut those fixtures in half, and then glue the two halves together by the rims. I might have to get two of em so that I can leave more on the sides to bend around the light, but it seems worth trying.

 

[Esquare]

I did something similar for my son's leopard gecko. I made a box to sit on the cage and cut down 2 of the reflector shields to fit in the box.