Build a softbox yourself; a very good german howto:

http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/einleitung.htm
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/kap1-material.htm
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/kap2-konstruktion.htm
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/kap3-zuschnitt.htm
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/kap4-fertigstellen_des_reflektors.htm
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/kap5-pilotlicht.htm
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/kap6-stativanschluss_und_gegenrflektor.htm
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/softboxbau/kap7-fertigstellen_der_softbox.htm

softbox2.jpg

Cool article! just saw one in a store yesterday and those thing can easily cost 200 euro's! Here is the link to the full page, the navigation is indeed a bit hidden on the lefthand side: http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~uroesch/index.html

Yup, they range from 51,- euro (60x60cm) upto whatever you want to spend on it.
Easy money for a weekend off

I also figure that instead of using wood, you can use foamboard instead. Much lighter. Also what I think it lacks, is a silver lining on the inside. But that's easyly solved with a roll of tinfoil
Will try to make one one of these days (before mid-March anyway, cause that's when i need one for a studio shoot). I'll document it if I have the time, so this tutorial will be in English.

http://lactose.blogspot.com/2007/03/hobo-diy-softbox-for-perfect-portraits.html

2933.jpg

Ha, that one really is rediculously easy!

In the end I had a serious lack of weekend off's, so I have bought one (see the image) - for not too much money (E52,-), in an umbrella-form so I can easily take it with me on the road as well.
Sorry for the tutorial..

fe-paraplu-u.jpg