Help with attaching/securing smoked glass to cabinet

[sofakng]

My smoked glass should be in this week so I'll be finishing up my cabinet by attaching this one last piece.  However, I'm not sure how to attach it to the cabinet.

I've seen a few cabinets that have it resting behind the control panel box but I'll be removing my control panel from time to time so I'm not sure thats the best solution.  I do want a way to be able to easily remove the glass in case I need to go to the TV.

So, anybody have any suggestions for me?

I don't know if I want to screw through the glass because then I'd have to screw through my bezel as well, but at least the glass would be very secure.  My father mentioned using some kind of molding (small and flat, I'm not sure what kind) in front of the glass and behind it so it would get a snug fit and wouldn't move.

Oh, my smoked glass is 26 x 29 x 1/4" in case that matters at all.

[PiNPOiNT]

Well one solution that would work out ok if your not planning on moving the cabinet around also, is to route out a small groove along the monitor shelf creating a groove that the glass can basically sit in, and rest up against the speaker shelf, or againse the front of the monitor.  Its not the prettiest, but it'll work.  The other stolution that also doesnt look the best but you can sorta make it look ok, is if you use 2 Aluminum (you can get it in black) L brackets from home depot, which is normally used for siding i think.  anywhoo, attach 2 of them 26" wide one on the top (under your speaker shelf) and the other on the monitor sheft, and have the glass sit in the groove of both of those.  if you attach the top one first, then insert the glass, then attach the bottom one to the glass and slide it in so that it sandwhichs itself between the glass and the monitor shelf, then it'll stay pretty snug, you can also use a bit of glue or something to keep it secure.  Then you'll send up with 2 bars, across the top and bottom (you could also do it for the sides) and it give it a nice little frame that you wont really notice after a while. (especially if they are the same colour as the cabinet or bezel.

[Sylentwulf]

I'm PLANNING on velcroing it in place since either the bezel artwork, or smoked glass will help hide the velcro. The back of the adhesive velcro is black anyways, so it should be very easy to hide.

Of course, if something better shows up in this topic, I might do that instead

[sofakng]

Thanks for the suggestions...

The brackets might work OK, but I'm not sure about the velcro or "groove" ideas.

The cabinet will probably be moved to a new home in a few months so I need something that isn't 100% permanent.

Anybody have any methods that: secure the glass (even during heavy gameplay), allow easy removal of glass, and looks clean.

There aren't many options I realize, but I don't want to use velcro (glass would get sticky), and I might not be able to use a bracket because I already purchased the glass and it goes beyond my monitor shelf.

Any other ideas?

[JAMMA Guy]

I see your using 1/4" .... if you don't mind me asking ... how much did that cost you??? (isn't that aweful thick???)

I'm thinking about getting 1/8" tempered smoked glass for my project and I'm trying to get a general idea how much it's going to cost me.

[sofakng]

From what I've read 1/4" isn't too thick.  It might be if your glass is tinted really dark but mine isn't that dark that all.

I paid $55 for the piece.  (26 x 29 x 1/4", smoked and tempered)  That seems to be about the average for a piece like this...

I'm still looking for a way to secure it though  

[big_garryb]

ive got 2 methods which aint the prettyist - but seem to do the job.

1. marquee retainer - used this before and holds pretty well - it is also flexible enough to remove the glass - needs care when removing tho.

2. small beadings like what people put around wooden floor at the skirtings to give a nice edge. its triangular. ive seen this down each side of my mates cab and looked ok - to be honest i dont even see it anymore - too busy gaming.

[Santoro]

Also check this thread from about a month ago.

[sofakng]

Anybody come up with any new ideas?

What I'm thinking is that my smoked glass will sit right on top of my bezel (which is recessed just a tad).  The glass comes to nearly the bottom of the control panel so I thought I'd mount a piece of wood width-wise across the cabinet with another strip on top to stop the glass from sliding.

However, how could I stop the glass from falling out forward?  My speaker shelf doesn't have a groove or gap for the glass and it'd be really, really tough to make one now.

My father suggested using some sort of molding right in front of the glass which would hold the glass against the bezel and prevent it from slipping.

Any other suggestions?  I'd prefer not to use Velcro (messy) and I don't want to use screws into the glass (dangerous)...

Please help...  =)

[Sylentwulf]

Look at it logically, how is it going to be possible for the glass to fall forward? Short of someone sticking a suction cup on the front of it and pulling, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

I say go with what you listed on the bottom, see if it works, see if there's ANY way the glass would ever fall, if not, don't worry about it.

[Soulcon]

Two things I did are this but the third is completely optional.

First I measured the space and I cut the plexi a little bit to big so I would have to give it a little love to get it in. Basically a press fit! Thats step one.

Second I went from the back side and used a glue gun and ran a small bead of glue around the back side to give it a nice seal. I used black glue it is avalible for pretty cheap.

Third I bought 2 very small in diameter dowels. I then cut them in half (Carefully) and mounted them one on top and one on the bottom of my cab also with a glue gun. The plexi is't gonna move anytime soon.

You can just do the dowels if you want and use some brads if you don't want it to stay that way as well.

-Soul