Online Plexi, Thickness?

[dawolv]

Im ready to order the Plexi for the LCD Monitor/Bezel area.
I was wondering if anyone has any good online recommendations?

Im looking for a gray/smokey color, Im unsure on the thickness...Im guessing 1/4" inch?
Also if any retailers would just cut it to dimensions that would be a plus, hate to spend the cash then have it break while cutting it  

I found a nice grey shade here eStreet.

Any recommendations?

[ragnar]

I acn't believe how expensivethis stuff is.  I just spent $100 at Home Depot on two sheets.  The cashier said that over the past few years, prices have gone up alot.

Online prices are better but with shipping, it is the same cost as Home Depot.

Anyways, two questions.  How much tint is there?  I did not notice in your link whath the pricing was.

I am doing 1/4" for everything I am doing including the monitor/bezel area.

[dawolv]

This piece is 23.99 for a 1/4" 24"x24" sheet.
About $13.00 for the FedEx shipping from that site...($36.99 total)

Actually its pretty close to what I need..just need an inch removed.
My verticle can be 22.5" to about 26".

Not sure if I should use 1/8" or 1/4"....what are you guys using?

Also anyone using 2074 Plexi? Is it too dark? Is 2064 too light? 

[dawolv]

Oh hehe...found this

2064:



2074:

[Dazz]

Seriously, I would discourage you against using plexi.  You'll be replacing it within a couple years.  Plexi is fairly expensive and it WILL scratch, no matter what you do to try to keep it from scratching.  I strongly suggest using tempered glass with a solar gray (#16) tint.

I'm not sure where you guys are but onedayglass.com is great or find a local glass shop.  Odds are the glass is going to be cheaper, especially in the long run, than plexi. 

[TOK]

Seriously, I would discourage you against using plexi.  You'll be replacing it within a couple years.  Plexi is fairly expensive and it WILL scratch, no matter what you do to try to keep it from scratching.  I strongly suggest using tempered glass with a solar gray (#16) tint.

I'm not sure where you guys are but onedayglass.com is great or find a local glass shop.  Odds are the glass is going to be cheaper, especially in the long run, than plexi. 

While I won't disagree that tinted tempered glass is great, I used tinted plexi for a bezel and regular plexi for a control panel. Neither has scratched. The only thing you need to be careful of is not rubbing it with a dry cloth when its dusty.

Fine for home use, IMO.
 

[dawolv]

Thanks Dazz for presenting another option and that link.
Tempered Light Gray glass would be $33.00 for a 24" x 23" (prefered size) plus $26.00 Shipping so about $59.00 so about $23 difference not bad at all.

My only concern if the cut I get is 23 and 1/8ths...how would I resize the glass?

What thickness is everyone using? 1/8 or 1/4?  Seems like 1/4 might be too thick, maybe 3/16"s ?...

I found this about plexi on thickness:
"Gray and Bronze colors WILL NOT VARY IN LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE with thickness. That means that a sheet of 1/8" transmits THE SAME light as a piece of 3/16" or 1/4" or even 1" thick."
-From rplastics.com

So as thickness goes.. I'm not concerned with the light transmittance.

[JustMichael]

What about clear glass and then adding some of that car window tinting?

[Dazz]

Thanks Dazz for presenting another option and that link.
Tempered Light Gray glass would be $33.00 for a 24" x 23" (prefered size) plus $26.00 Shipping so about $59.00 so about $23 difference not bad at all.

My only concern if the cut I get is 23 and 1/8ths...how would I resize the glass?

What thickness is everyone using? 1/8 or 1/4?  Seems like 1/4 might be too thick, maybe 3/16"s ?...

I found this about plexi on thickness:
"Gray and Bronze colors WILL NOT VARY IN LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE with thickness. That means that a sheet of 1/8" transmits THE SAME light as a piece of 3/16" or 1/4" or even 1" thick."
-From rplastics.com

So as thickness goes.. I'm not concerned with the light transmittance.

I got 1/4", but you could easily use 3/16".  I remove my glass a couple times a year to take my cabinet to various events, so I wanted something a bit more durable.  The 1/4" using the solar grey tint on my cabinet looks great.

Make sure you get the glass in the size that you need.  Tempered glass is much stronger than plate, but it can't be re-sized at all.  Not even a glass shop can't re-size it either as if they do attempt it will just shatter into hundreds of little pieces.  I learned this the hard way.  I ordered my pinball glass from a local shop.  I measured my pinball glass a bit to long and asked if the shop could cut it down... I had to purchase a new $80 piece because the glass was tempered.

[lilshawn]

I ordered my pinball glass from a local shop.  I measured my pinball glass a bit to long and asked if the shop could cut it down... I had to purchase a new $80 piece because the glass was tempered.

wouldn't the shop know it was tempered since they ordered it?!?!?

if not i would seriously consider another shop with a bit more knowledge.

[Dazz]

I ordered my pinball glass from a local shop.  I measured my pinball glass a bit to long and asked if the shop could cut it down... I had to purchase a new $80 piece because the glass was tempered.

wouldn't the shop know it was tempered since they ordered it?!?!?

if not i would seriously consider another shop with a bit more knowledge.

Yes, they knew it was tempered.  This is why they said they wouldn't be able to re-size it.  Err, well they could, but the glass has to be un-tempered or annealed before it can be cut.  The process actually costs more than just purchasing a new piece.