The next two aircraft I’ll build will be for a couple friends. I’m going to build base as a tarmac but these will be the first that I actually cover with a clear top/case. Has anyone had experience in making their own out of glass or clear acrylic? If need be, I’ll go to a local business to have it done, but I’d like to do it all myself. Thanks!
I have not built a case out of clear acrylic but i heard its pretty easy. Get some good glue and just glue each side together. If you have it done it will cost alot i bet.
I was wondering the same myself. i wanted to see some instructions for cutting and glueing plexiglass.
I make cases for my dios all the time. I go to my local Home Depot, and pick up a couple of 18" x 24" sheets, I think they’re like 5mm thick or so. I’m lucky enough to have a table saw, so I purchases a super fine tooth blade made for cutting plastic and thin wood. I measure and cut the sizes I need, and I use a hot glue gun to tack and finally glue everything together. For the top I use a piece of 1/4" wood for the top to save the plastic. I even add 90 degree corner mouldings to the corners to strenghen the case.
I admit that they do not look professional in the slightest, the glue is in blobs from sealing the entire joints of the plastic, so they look really rough, but in my case it’s to keep the dust out. You’ll notice that all of my bases have rabbits at the bottoms, that’s so when I’ve done making my case, that’s where it will rest.
Do not use the glue that’s recomended for the plexi/lexan glass, it’s almost like krazy glue, and will craze the plastic. I’ve found that a hot glue gun works the best.
Good luck!
Kelly
Hi the tips that have been posted are great, for glue go to wal-mart and by
some silacon for fish tanks. Use your finger and aply it on the corners to be joined.
Now tape all corners wait 24hr. Bevel all edges. Do the bottom frist then flip it around and repeat. If you would like put hinge on the lid so you can open it.
Hope this helps.
ARTE ET MARTE
djw1
Thanks for the tips! Looks like I’ll be paying a visit to Home Depot soon. [:D]
Kelly: Can you post some pics of your work? Have you ever coated the plastic with some Future? Not sure if the effect would be the same as it is on canopies; thinking it might.
Carl
Hi Carl, I can send some pics, I’ll have to get a friend to take a couple and I’ll post em up, although it will be a little while…LOL Keep in mind they’re not the greatest haha
Haven’t put Future on the glass, I don’t think it will make a difference at all. Just make sure when your case is built, you really clean both the inside and outside, as when you tear off the protective paper, it creates alot of static, and alot of junk will fly right to it!
Thanks Kelly! Looking forward to seeing the pics.