Bending and shaping Plexi

[ComputerWizKid]

I want to make a clear plexi box for my 2 * 40 VFD but I have a few questions to get me in the right direction for this project. I know you have to heat the plexi to bend it but thats all I know.I also have a heat gun I bought for shrink tubing so that will work to heat the plexi it says Level I 700 F Level II 920 F is that hot enough?

1. What thickness of plexi should I use?
2. How do I join it
3. Any other things I should know about when tying to make my first plexi box?

The VFD is 7.16 " long and 1" tall

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Good question !

I made a duct for my intake fan to direct air up to the HS and toward the VGA card.
It was made out of soldered brass shim stock(0.025"). They make horns out of brass
for a reason I might redo it in plexi, so I'll be interested in the posts you get.
It's not that bad but acrylic would have been better, in hindesight.

I did Google"bending plexiglass" and got lots of hits. Most reccomend using a propane
torch or doing it over the stove. No direct contact with the flame but just the gentel high
heat. I would smooth the edges before bending as nicks will be stress risers and if any
cracking or crazing were to happen it would generate from a nick.

Any holes drill in plexi should be chamfered for the same reason as stated above.

I though of fitting pieces very well, with both joining surfaces broken(light sanding), lightly
clamped together, then several dots of liquid super glue could be pulled into the joint by
wicking action(capillary?)

That's all I got. Good luck.

...Galvanized

 

[iluvtruenos]

Plexi usually bubbles if you heat it too much, too picky.

Get some polycarbonate and carefully heat/bend it with a MAPP gas torch. I've done it many times for my R/C cars, and it's stiff, doesn't break from 30mph crashes, and looks clean without any bubbling or visible warping.