Plexiglass / Acrylic joining

[Incognitotj]

I am the proud recipient of 8 - 3 foot square 1/2" sections of Plexiglass or acrylic (not sure of the diff). It is in primo condition and I want to make a cube - micro atx case out of it.

I need to know some alternate methods of joining the sides to the base and top. I would prefer not to use screws. My current plan: Dove-tail joints (yeah, I'm a wood worker). I have a jig that allows me to make precision DT joints in wood using a router. If I got a router bit made for cutting acryl/plexi it should make a tight joint. The DT's will have to be big (3/4" at the smallest part of the joint) or it might crack. To secure the DT's, I'd use the acrylic form of a dowel rod. These would make excellent standoff's as well.

Any ideas while I'm still in the planning stage?

Incog

[thekingofpain]

1/2 inch thick?
Itl be strong---thats for sure---
I have one of these--- http://www.clear-viewtech.com/sandwich.html ---maybe you can get some ideas from the images...

[JPMiller]

http://www.pimprig.com/modules.php?n...ticle&artid=71
this may be of use...shows how to make your own glue.
http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_v...?idproduct=812
http://www.openlinx.com/english/prod...product_id=840
some pics that may be used for reference?

[oolunchbox]

if you can get it to go on smooth i'd say maybe add some clear epoxy too. i've had great results with epoxy ("glueing" plexi to case sides and the such.)

[Vagabond]

get your hands on some

1,2-dichloroethane

use in open area this will slightly melt the plexi and as it evaps will form a new bond... = one piece ...

GL hf

[Incognitotj]

Thanks guys! I'll post pics when my two jobs slow down. I figure this will be a good winter project...

Thanks again,

Incog

[Knothead]

Incognitotj, if you'll go and visit your local plastics store, you'll find the right stuff and TOOLS...

I made the drive bays, etc. in my computer using plexi. I learned that the best way to join the stuff is by putting the chemical (prolly the stuff that Vagabond recommends ) into a hypodermic-like injector (cost: $6) and it flows PERFECTLY along the joint!

This method joins it and looks good, too. Your local plastics retailer can show you, it's very easy!

[linear1]

Here's my plastics FAQ

I'd recommend gluing too, but use IPS Weld-on #4.

Here's an article I wrote about planning your case: (hopefully you're still planning )
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/67/
and here's how mine came out:
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/72/

[Incognitotj]

linear1 ----> Exactly!!! Beautiful case and mods... I had already seen your articles on Bit-Tech and had bookmarked them. Thanks!

Incog

[Idigguns]

Linear1 beat me to it. I used IPS Weld-on #3 to make my case for this mod... http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...094#post835094