Plexiglas translation prob

[cyberkid]

Hey all,
I'm looking to build a display case after reading Alex's tut.
Now, my question is:
Is plexiglas the same stuff used for making those cases on advertising or neon lights?

If anyone here knows is plexiglas 壓克力板?

Does plexiglas hold up to light dusting or cleaning with windex or simular?

TIA for replies.
Steve

[drunken monkey]

plexiglass = perspex = acrylic

[freakray]

Plexiglas also gets called lexan sometimes.

[klutz_100]

I think plexiglass also holds static electricity charges like a limpet and therefore might attract a lot of dust
(I may be wrong on this though)

[gionc]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

plexiglass = perspex = acrylic

= methacrylate

[klutz_100]

la la la ...and a partridge in a pear tree.....

[matador88]

plexi and lexan arent the same...

[freakray]

Originally Posted by matador88

plexi and lexan arent the same...

You're 100% correct - which is why I can never understand why so many people think they are and hence why I said it sometimes gets called lexan.

[gionc]

Originally Posted by freakray

You're 100% correct - which is why I can never understand why so many people think they are and hence why I said it sometimes gets called lexan.

They're the same material: ever methacrylate or polycarbonate, only lexan is extruded with air inside (those translucent or trasparent curtain panels, mostly from General Electric) and the plexiglass is laminated in sheets, but the material is the same: also Lexan, Plexiglass and Perspex are just commercial names.

[cyberkid]

Thanks guys for the replies, but not really what I needed.
These brands are scarce here and I'm looking for a tad more confirmation on what it is commonly used for.
My aunt-in-law is a advertisment hardware builder by profession. Making those lamps the swirl in a transparent box..

and the material she uses for the cases is roughly translated into: acrylic board.
If its the same stuff then I'm relieved, if not I want to find some as glass isn't really an ideal option for me (too heavy).

And about cleaning plexiglas (if it is what I know as 'acrylic board'), are there any products other than novus? Will windex and the like work well (mainly without leaving scratches)?

Thanks again,
Steve

[drunken monkey]

the thing that makes the most difference is the type of cloth that you use. Hopefully, you have a stash of microfibre cloths to use on models. The surface of the perspex (or what ever you want to call it) is actuallt very hard and usually, only continued exposure to the elements (as you do with greenhouses) and/or hard cleaning with rough cloths will induce swirl marks.

If you're making your own display cases, I should also remind you to use the proper glue. For these things, nothing beats dichloromethane which if you have a model making/design&technology department in your school/college with a decent workshop/studio, they should have.
If not, then look out for something like Plastic Weld which is a diluted form of the stuff.

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

the thing that makes the most difference is the type of cloth that you use. Hopefully, you have a stash of microfibre cloths to use on models. The surface of the perspex (or what ever you want to call it) is actuallt very hard and usually, only continued exposure to the elements (as you do with greenhouses) and/or hard cleaning with rough cloths will induce swirl marks.

If you're making your own display cases, I should also remind you to use the proper glue. For these things, nothing beats dichloromethane which if you have a model making/design&technology department in your school/college with a decent workshop/studio, they should have.
If not, then look out for something like Plastic Weld which is a diluted form of the stuff.

Thanks for the info DM, I'm only planning to use the perspex ( dang thing has too many names lol) for the see through glass. The shelving itself will be made of wood simular in Alex's tut.
Regular glass won't reliably hang from small hinges and thin wood, I'm planning to use 2/8" or 3/8". I'll be asking my aunt to see if she can get novus from her supplier.

[drunken monkey]

ahhh, right.
my bad.

I assumed you were making individual cases and not a shelving type display. I have to confess to not having clicked the link.
In which case, I'd should remind you that you won't need more than a 3mm sheet (my supplier works in mm) which is about 1/8". 6mm (2/8") is quite heavy, especially if you're going to be using the full 24x12 sheet.

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

ahhh, right.
my bad.

I assumed you were making individual cases and not a shelving type display. I have to confess to not having clicked the link.
In which case, I'd should remind you that you won't need more than a 3mm sheet (my supplier works in mm) which is about 1/8". 6mm (2/8") is quite heavy, especially if you're going to be using the full 24x12 sheet.

lol, my bad this time...
expecting to use a 3 or 4 mm sheet of plexiglas, I'm thinking a sheet of 2mm will look flimsy.
the wood for the shelving itself will be 2-3/8".
I'm actually thinking of making it a tad bigger as I have a few couple 1/12 cars on the way. Maybe 32*16 ish.
But I will be using wall plugs.. the plastic things that you put into walls for you to use screws, so it should be more sturdier than Alex's.

Thanks for the help again everyone. Much appreciated.
Steve