building a plexyglass case + BRILLIANT IDEA

[toshiba3020]

I am going to build a plexyglass case for a new system I am making. I want to make it about 19" wide, and about 2" tall. I am designing it to be the size of an audio/video componet, like about the size of a dvd player. It will be an mp3 server. Does anyone have any good tips for working with plexyglass? And what do you think is the best to attach the pieces of glass togeather, I was thinking just angle brackests with bolts.

Thanks
Garrett.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

you'll probably be getting an answer soon from one of my friends. he did one a while back. he'll be searching forums soon. he's in class right now.

 

[toshiba3020]

Thank you. (both of you)

 

[jcmkk]

If you don't mind the look of angle brackets, then use them, they would probably be the easiest and one of the most secure ways to put it together. If you're building it out of plexiglass because that is available to you and not because you want it clear, then I would suggest painting the inside of the plexi panels black. It gives the exterior a really deep black mirror finish.

 

[punkrawket]

this guy made a tiny cube... but check out how he made corners and such

HERE

 

[toshiba3020]

I dont really care about angle brackets because you can only see the front of the unit(it will be a mp3/dvd player, so it will sit under my receiver). The painting idea is neat, I have seen it done, but the plexyglass I have is a smoked black color. It looks really sweet with just a white light behind it(like christmas lights, like I plan to use.

 

[talonts]

You're better off using acrylic than plexiglas - acrylic glues better, so if you get the right acrylic glue and prep the surfaces properly, it will look like the part was molded when you're done.

Acrylic also cuts/drills better than plexi or Lexan - they tend to crack when running screws into them.

Call local plastics supplies shops, though, they should be able to sell you plexi glue that will do a good job. Then if necessary, you can glue a square rod in the corners for more glue surface for a stronger joint.

It will take more work to glue the case rather than bolt it, but it will look MUCH better when done.

 

[ShadowFox]

<<Call local plastics supplies shops, though, they should be able to sell you plexi glue that will do a good job>>

I was able to get some acrylic solvent from a local glass shop for my case (still in progress)

 

[kzochert]

How much for the acrylic?

What kind of cutting device are you going to use?

 

[toshiba3020]

Maybe I would buy acrylic if it was cheap, but I already have this plexyglass.

 

[tdog44632]

Lexan and Plexiglass are just brand names for acrylic. Go to www.ecomplastics.com has acylic, tools and glue that you need. There is also Plexiglass Primer that gives instructions how to cut and glue. Its easier to use 1/4 inch than 1/2 inch FWIW

Tony

 

[Egrimm]

Hmm, is this the new trend? Because I'm building a plexi-case too for my old Celeron-rig which is gonna get used as a web-server. I'll make a site about it when I'm done next week (just got the acrylic today).

 

[randomlinh]

and 1/8" is even more fun to play with

 

[toshiba3020]

I just had a brilliant idea. In our engineering class we are building a supermileage car(small one passanger car that is designed to use as little fuel as possible with a 3hp engine, btw...PM me if you want to sponsor us ) We just got our body molded out of carbon fiber. The guy who did it for us sent some scrap pieces up with us to look at, and they have a real sweet look. Does anyone know where I could get some sheets of blown carbon fiber? Porbably around 1/8" thick so it is real sturdy.

 

[ShadowFox]

<<Lexan and Plexiglass are just brand names for acrylic. >>

No, Lexan is a polycarbonate and acrylic is arcylic. The brand name for acrylic is lucite. I'm fairly sure that plexigalss has a somewhat different chemical composition so it's not exactly acrylic.

<<Does anyone know where I could get some sheets of blown carbon fiber?>>

Cool idea for building a superlight a lan box, however I think it may be prohibatively expensive.

If any of what I said is wrong let me know.

 

[Phunktion]

<< <<Does anyone know where I could get some sheets of blown carbon fiber?>>

Cool idea for building a superlight a lan box, however I think it may be prohibatively expensive.

If any of what I said is wrong let me know. >>


Carbon fiber is way too expensive now.. I'd give it another year and the prices will probably start getting reasonable.. in fact I had always wanted to build a case with it but the cost would make it too much to spend on a custom case..

 

[toshiba3020]

I am building a very small computer. 9x8x6 inches. It actually wouldnt be very light, when you layer carbon fiber and get it thick like 1/8", it is suprisingly heavy. I would guess about the same weight as the plexyglass. I wonder if any automotive shops would have any. The sizes I am looking for is scrap to them.

 

[Phunktion]

If you know of any body shops in your area that modify cars for racing it's likely they'll sell you pieces like that dirt cheap..

 

[HouRman]

My concern is grounding and interference. Carbon fiber and woven graphite conduct electricity only on the edges but not on glazed surfaces. Anodized aluminum or titanium does not conduct electricity but non-anodized aluminum does conduct. Reason I know this is I had a little fun with an ohm meter and my RC car which is comprised of many exotic materials

If you want a case that's lightweight, just get an aluminum case. Those Lian Li aluminum cases are amazingly lightweight and you don't have to spend a fortune building one.

Oh, another thing to consider is that carbon fiber and woven graphite both resonate and can produce frequencies to cause interference with RC car antennaes. This may be a reason not to use these materials when constructing a case as interference may be a factor.

My suggestion for plexiglass users is to buy a product called Novus which is an anti-static, anti-reflective, and anti-smudge polish that really works. This way your sweaty paws don't make smudges all over the glass and you can coat your monitor as well.

 

[toshiba3020]

Thank you all for your input and help.