Very slightly OT...Plastics

"Ron" writes:

<snip>
>The problem is, he wants a door on the front to be made out of dark
>transparent glass. Personally, I don't think glass and ten-year-olds mix
>very well; so I am leaning towards some type of plastic.
<snip>

Let your fingers do the walking thru WOLLEY SEGAP.

Find an industrial plastic sheet goods supplier that has "drop offs" or
remnants shelf.

Acrylic or Lexan will work and can be machined..

They will all scratch over time.

I'd probably use 1/4" material.

Might even think about "smoked" material.

HTH


--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: <http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett> for Pictures

Ron wrote:

> The problem is, he wants a door on the front to be made out of dark
> transparent glass. Personally, I don't think glass and ten-year-olds mix
> very well; so I am leaning towards some type of plastic.


A polymer is about the only choice. I don't want to know what tempered
glass made to a custom size would cost (ref: George)

Which polymer is the question and the answer depends if its going in a
frame.

Polycarbonate (Lexan, Tuffak) is pretty flexible even in 1/4 inch.
Depending on the door size it may not be rigid enough without a frame.
If frameless Plexiglass would be the better choice.

I know, what woody would make a door without a frame.? You never know.






--

Mark

N.E. Ohio


Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens,
A.K.A. Mark Twain)

When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the
suspense. (Gaz, r.moto)

Ron -

Get that boy in the shop! How about using clear acrylic sheet (BORG, etc,
would have it) and then using window tint film to darken it? It's a thought
and would probably be cheaper/easier to find than tinted plastic and much
cheaper than tinted tempered glass.

HTH

John Moorhead
Lakeport, CA


"Ron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I need advice. Santa brought my ten-year-old son a television and DVD
player
> for Christmas. He wants dear old Dad to build a small entertainment center
> to hold his new gifts. I can't wait. Any chance to get my little guy out
in
> the shop with me is the best present I could hope for.
> The problem is, he wants a door on the front to be made out of dark
> transparent glass. Personally, I don't think glass and ten-year-olds mix
> very well; so I am leaning towards some type of plastic.
> I need any advice on which type of plastic, thickness and any hints on
> construction.
> Any recommendations on where to purchase the material in question would be
> appreciated also.
> Thanks in advance, and a belated but sincere Merry Christmas to you all.
>
>

Use Lexan, it's bulletproof. LOL !
"Ron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I need advice. Santa brought my ten-year-old son a television and DVD
player
> for Christmas. He wants dear old Dad to build a small entertainment center
> to hold his new gifts. I can't wait. Any chance to get my little guy out
in
> the shop with me is the best present I could hope for.
> The problem is, he wants a door on the front to be made out of dark
> transparent glass. Personally, I don't think glass and ten-year-olds mix
> very well; so I am leaning towards some type of plastic.
> I need any advice on which type of plastic, thickness and any hints on
> construction.
> Any recommendations on where to purchase the material in question would be
> appreciated also.
> Thanks in advance, and a belated but sincere Merry Christmas to you all.
>
>

Window tint won"t work on acrylic.Will bubble over time.I am a window tinter
here in va.

On 27-Dec-2003, "Ron" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I don't think glass and ten-year-olds mix
> very well; so I am leaning towards some type of plastic.
> I need any advice on which type of plastic, thickness and any hints on
> construction.

Lexan (generic name - polycarbonate) is likely the toughest stuff
you can find. It is available clear or tinted. One quarter inch
thick would likely handle anything a ten-year-old can throw at it.
Some of the big box stores have them - if not look up plastic suppliers
in the phone book.

Mike

On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 19:29:06 -0600, "Ron" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I need advice. Santa brought my ten-year-old son a television and DVD player
>for Christmas. He wants dear old Dad to build a small entertainment center
>to hold his new gifts. I can't wait. Any chance to get my little guy out in
>the shop with me is the best present I could hope for.
>The problem is, he wants a door on the front to be made out of dark
>transparent glass. Personally, I don't think glass and ten-year-olds mix
>very well; so I am leaning towards some type of plastic.
>I need any advice on which type of plastic, thickness and any hints on
>construction.
>Any recommendations on where to purchase the material in question would be
>appreciated also.
>Thanks in advance, and a belated but sincere Merry Christmas to you all.
>


HD sells various thicknesses of plexiglass. I used 1/4" thick for my
router table window in front. Works great.

I work in the Video Arcade industry to support my woodworking habit
and I have had to replace a few video screen protectors and although
glass would be best. You would need tempered glass and that is custom
made to a desired size. (read expensive) Lexan is the next best choice
and you will find it at your local borg. It comes in specific size
sheets and unless you are talking bigger than 2ft x 3ft, 3/16 will
work fine and the borg will cut it for free. although it can easily be
drilled for hinges. I would use a wooden door frame and then 1/8 could
be used. Check out price and availability before you start DAMHIKT.
HTH - george

On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 19:29:06 -0600, "Ron" <[email protected]>
wrote
:
SNIP
>Any recommendations on where to purchase the material in question would be
>appreciated also.
>Thanks in advance, and a belated but sincere Merry Christmas to you all.
>