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Plexiglass Bar |
CheekyGirl
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 21, 2003
Posts: 976
From: Like Oh My Gawd..San Fernando Valley
|  Posted: 2009-01-19 11:16 pm Permalink
I got this idea to have a plexiglass bar. I'd like to have a shelf or two, wire it with light, so I can display some tiki mugs without fear of breaking them.
Has anyone ever worked with plexiglass? Know of anyone that could make something like this? Or point me in the right direction? Or am I just dreaming up something that is impossible?
Mahalo
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Gibbo
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 02, 2007
Posts: 21
From: Far off Western Australia
| Posted: 2009-01-20 01:58 am Permalink
Hi Cheekygirl, try polycarbonate sheeting instead of plexiglass as it looks the same but you can drill it without it cracking and can even cold bend the stuff. It's great and really so easy to work with.
Cheers,
Gibbo
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TikiMango
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 17, 2008
Posts: 798
From: Satellite Beach, FL
| Posted: 2009-01-20 09:00 am Permalink
As a kid we made R/C airboats out of polycarbonate. Flat sides screwed onto bent hulls done in the oven, powered by little Cox .049 engines. We ran them down the street gutters after it rained enough. It can be worked like wood, using normal drills, saws, etc.
You can find polycarb at home builder stores, but I don't think it would be stiff enough for shelving. If you plan on using it for mug and rum bottle display, I'd think you'd have to use at least 1/2" thick material. Sites like http://www.mcmaster.com/ have all sorts of shapes and lengths, just search for polycarbonate. It can get fairly expensive when you start looking for clear or optically clear polycarb.
As for lighting, you would only have to light the edges, and the material would act like a light pipe, and the entire part would light up, with the edges probably being brighter. Could definitely make a cool display bar.
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RevBambooBen
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 12, 2002
Posts: 7197
From: Huntikington Beach
| Posted: 2009-01-20 09:11 am Permalink
Check this place for plastics.
http://www.sign-mart.com/
Built the SHAG house with 4x8 sheets from here.
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Bamboo Ben
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6404
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2009-01-20 09:12 am Permalink
Cheeky
I have a very small but informative paperback book on working with plexiglas that I bought years ago and haven't used since. PM me a mailing address and I'll send it or a copy. I think I know where it is 
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Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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shampoovta
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jun 20, 2007
Posts: 99 | Posted: 2009-01-20 6:12 pm Permalink
I just did the plexy and it cuts well with a router. Drilling is a full on disaster. I routed out the shadow box, dropped in the plexy and held it in place with some trim. It likes to warp and move with just screws. It is not perfecto but it looks fantastic. I use coasters to help with condensation from hot or cold mugs and cups. It is surprising strong for thin plexy but it will bow a bit so we added support with some small dividers.
Some day I will have glass cut for it but that is another story.
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6404
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2009-01-20 6:23 pm Permalink
Looks great Shampoovta, you could make your supporting dividers out of strips of plexi, they would hardy show and wouldn't ruin the lovely effect.
_________________
Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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shampoovta
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jun 20, 2007
Posts: 99 | Posted: 2009-01-20 8:00 pm Permalink
MadDogMike that is a terrific idea!
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