Question about Plexi

[jedimas729]

Hi all! I'm new to both the forums and the whole modding scene but I am ready to begin modding! I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this but my question is that I wanted to create a custom etching on a custom window for the front "door" panel of my chieftec Dragon case and I know I can buy plexi at home depot because I went yesterday and took a look around till I gave up and asked someone where it was! Now for the real question, I noticed that there were 2 or 3 different plexi thicknesses and I dont know if I need a thin plexi or a thick one or a medium sized one! If anyone could let me know what the usual thickness that you all use I would be most grateful as I dont want to get the wrong one and waste my money! Also I am going to buy a dremel kit so I can etch the window but I dont know how to cut the plexi to the shape that I want! How can I cut it to fit the space that I want? I dont have alot of money as I am a poor college student with way too many debts as it is! Can I use the dremel to shape it or am I kinda stuck? Thanks in advance for the answers!!:D

[Breach]

welcome to WizD Jedimashttp://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Etching (which i will most likely put up on my project thread below actually, check back later) doenst take too much material off the surface generally, ive been using 1/8 in for it. That should be plenty even if you do multible "layers" in the etch. This guy http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=46844 has been doing some incredible work you should deffinatly check out. Just get yourself a few good etching bits ( bits 104-108 I think is what I use personally with a Dremel model 395 Multipro) and use the slowest speed that you can, and go slow.

As far as cutting, you can do the "snap" method. This will only get you straight lines but it works. Get a utility knife or an Xacto blade or something similar, using a ruler score a line in it repeatadly until your around 2/3 to 1/2 way through the sheet. Then take it and find a crisp straight edge like the edge of a counter, line it up and push down on the end that is sticking out, if you did it right it should "snap" and youll have a straight line, just run a little sandpaper on the edge to clean it up. And yes, you can use just about any dremel bit to shape acrylic. For extended cuts I use a regular reinforced cutoff wheel (get to know that one well on your modding journies too), the multipurpos cutting and shaping bits work quite well too. In the end dont be afraid to experiment a little, acrylic sheet can be a little tempramental to work with depending.

Hope some of that garbled mess helps http://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/wacko.gif

Brew

[jedimas729]

Wowza thats alot of information to write down! But yes it has helped alot!! I can't wait to buy my dremel, I was looking at the multipro as well heheh so now I know that its the one to get! You also answered my next question which was what bit is good to use for etching! As I was reading that link you provided I thought of another question, where can I get some of that transparent UV sensitive paint for my etching so that it will glow when I have my blue cathode light shine on it? Can you buy it at a store like Michaels, or even Home Depot? I dont really want to buy it online but if I have to I will. Also do you spray it on or do you brush it on or do you build a shrine to it and pray for it to magically adhere to the etch?^_^

Thanks for your suggestions I cant wait to start on my etching project!!:D

[Breach]

Ive only ever seen it really in various modding stores, Id try hobby shops and that kind of thing too though.

Sacraficing a goat couldnt hurt either http://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/cool.gif

Brew

[jedimas729]

Hmmm I'll have to find me a goat then!!!

So do you spray it on, wipe it on, roll it on, or how do you apply it? Answer this one and I'm sure I'll just come up with a million more questions hehe!:D

[Darv]

The UV paint is easy top find online however I doubt it is as easy to find in a shop. Most paints you buy from a modding shop are the kind you paint on but I have seen UV reactive spray paint as well.

Are you planning to use a UV cold cathode, becasue it won't glow properly with just a blue light.

[jedimas729]

Are you planning to use a UV cold cathode, becasue it won't glow properly with just a blue light.
I have a blue cold cathode light that I bought at compusa a long time ago when I got the case so I dont know if it is UV or not. any suggestions on how I can check, like would it say it on it or something? From what I see the uv cold cathodes arent too pricey so I can buy another one just incase the current one I have wont work!

Thanks for answering my question about applying the paint! As soon as I get out of work I will be going to Home Depot or Lowes and buying a dremel kit and a piece of plexi so I can practice etching! Heres hoping it comes out nice! Heheh!:D

[Starbuck3733T]

If its really a UV cathode, the casing will be clear and the element itself will be a dark purple color. if its any other color, such as whitish, its not UV.

[JBM]

I have a question also about plexi. If i put it in the oven on a low heat, can i re shape it for matching a curved shape?

[TheGreatSatan]

You can, but it's really difficult to control the shape change.

[jedimas729]

there is a guide over at case mod god: http://casemodgod.com/mouse_mods.htm that mentions putting it in the oven at 275 degrees until the plexi begins to curl up. Once it does that you can take it out and put it on the surface of whatever you want it to be shaped like. I will start working on my own mouse mod soon(hopefully) and I'll let you know if this technique works! But if you do it before I can please post and let us know how it went!:D

[dutchcedar]

Don't be afraid to go to a local plastic fabricator. Our local one made a pair of these for 20 bucks apiece... cut and formed. They have a special strip heater they used to only heat the area being formed. They've made a number of things for me since then and best of all, have access to a large assortment of plastics... many which you would have to buy an entire sheet of elsewhere.

http://www.amdreview.com/graphics/00000001/BaDass15.jpg

About matching a curve with plex... you can make a buck out of wood, clamp or screw the plex to it and heat it with a torch where you want it to bend. If you do it slowly and keep the flame off the work, you should be able to form the plex over the buck. Wear gloves.

My "next project" will involve some tricky plex forming, so as I find new info, I'll post it.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Try googling for plexi-bender as i've seen a few people on BiT make their own for not much money and they seem to have been quite successful.

:edit: Link posted on BiT by our own dear Pug.


http://www.usplastic.com/ - Plastrip Heater (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=Plastrip+Heater)
24" Plastrip Heater Each $31.49
48" Plastrip Heater Each $39.33

Link to a project log from BiT with a self made plexi bender.

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=48838&page=4&pp=20&highlight=plexi+bender

:edit:

[dutchcedar]

Dang Rude... that strip heater's less expensive than I would have imagined... ^_^

Thanks for the link.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

NP :)

Props should go to Pug really, its his link.