Perspex for screen?

[DannyH]

Hi,
I have been debating whether I should use glass or perspex to put over the screen, I have pretty much concluded perspex because I can customize the size where I need to.

However Now I need to know what thickness. Will 3mm be thick enough or should I go thicker. Should I also go for a clear screen or tinted?

any suggestions would be much appreciated

[Bones]

I have found perspex / Lexan is easily marked. I just installed 8mm Lexan for my screen and it looks OK but the act of putting it in & out while adjusting things has left some minor marks. These may buff out, I haven't tried yet.

I have sent out some emails asking about local availability of tinted safety glass and will feed this info back to you. Looking at the pics on this board, the tinted glass looks really good and helps hide the insides of your cabinet.

Alternatively, let me know roughly what size screen you are after. I have a fair bit of this 8mm Lexan leftover and you can have it if you want. I don't know how you would go about tinting it though.

[DannyH]

I am looking for roughly 600mm x 500mm. let us know.

I am not concerned about a few minor marks and was thinking about an ultra clear contact as a protection for the screen.

let us know also, let me know the prices you get for the other stuff around Sydney I would be interested in that as well

[Bones]

I am almost 100% positive I have an offcut that can make that size. I will check tonight and let you know.

[DannyH]

dude your an absolute champion!

Any size around that should be alright as well!

[Bones]

My pleasure. It is destined for the trash can anyway, might as well go to a good home.

[whatisk]

Hi,
I have been debating whether I should use glass or perspex to put over the screen.

...

 Should I also go for a clear screen or tinted?

any suggestions would be much appreciated

I too am at the stage of looking at putting a screen over my monitor (definitely tinted) and have been trying to decide whether to go for glass or perspex.

Is anyone able to give some feedback as to how each looks, etc?

[DannyH]

If you know the exact size you want I would go Glass, probably slightly cheaper and much more scratch resistent.

Perspex scratches very very easily

[whatisk]

If you know the exact size you want I would go Glass, probably slightly cheaper and much more scratch resistent.

Perspex scratches very very easily

Thanks. Definitely know the size needed.

[danny_galaga]

I have found perspex / Lexan is easily marked. I just installed 8mm Lexan for my screen and it looks OK but the act of putting it in & out while adjusting things has left some minor marks. These may buff out, I haven't tried yet.

a lesson in leaving the protective film on until AFTER you're done 

[Bones]

I have found perspex / Lexan is easily marked. I just installed 8mm Lexan for my screen and it looks OK but the act of putting it in & out while adjusting things has left some minor marks. These may buff out, I haven't tried yet.

a lesson in leaving the protective film on until AFTER you're done 

Yeah but I was going to paint a black border and then changed my mind. 

[Bones]

dude your an absolute champion!

I really didn't need to quote that, I just like the way it sounds.....


OK DannyH,
I have two offcuts you can have. Both 8mm in thickness

1 piece is 500mm x 770mm. This piece still has most of its protective film left on, but I did discard this piece when cutting my own so at the time I considered it the worst half of the original sheet I started with.

1 piece is 690 x 575. This piece was cut for my own screen (I ordered some tinted glass today). This piece is pretty good. It has a couple of minor marks and has some MDF dust on it, but really it is fine.

PM me for details if you want one or both.

As for the tinted glass details, I will update Project bones with some pictures later in the week when I pick the glass up, hopefully by Friday.

[Minwah]

IMO glass is better.  It doesn't scratch easily, looks good and doesn't flex.  I used tinted glass for my cabinet and it looks great.  The only downside is that most people would need a glass shop to cut it to size, whereas perspex you can cut yourself...

[Franco]

I went down the perspex route on mine as i figured it would be cheaper. A while after installing the perspex when I had some spare cash I thought I would get a price for some cut glass and It turned out that the safety glass was cheaper! I would go for the glass if I were you. Like its been said it is more scratch resistant, easier to clean and IMO stronger. I picked my perspex up slightly dodgily one day and it cracked.

[PetitMorte]

And glass makes that cool *click* when you put your quarter up to get the next game.   

[whatisk]

Looks like glass it is then 

[DannyH]

hmm I am strongly considering glass now.

I think at this point I will buy some foam core board and make a bezel to go beneath the glas then consider either glass or perspex from there.

still migh go pick up the sheets from brokenbones1 this weekend as well, becaus eif it works....sweet. Just have to convince the mrs to let me take the car for a day

[Bones]

Tinted glass is obviously the best choice and seems to get the best reviews so I can understand the preference.

But I gotta say, the Lexan that I have is 8mm thick and is amazingly solid looking. It suffers from none of the warping or sagging I have read in other places.

[DannyH]

I think I will come grab the lexan and see how it goes, after all it may just be perfect for me. Otherwise I just got a quote for 6mm tinted glass cut at 500 x 600 for $AUD44 including GST

so thats not too bad either!

[Bones]

Based on what I just paid, that price is very good.

[DannyH]

If you are interested here is the site I got that quote from

http://www.neilsglassservice.com.au/index.html