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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: robertsig on June 08, 2011, 11:06:42 am

Title: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: robertsig on June 08, 2011, 11:06:42 am

I need to mount a motherboard on a piece of acrylic and wanted to know if anyone had some suggestions?  The standard metal standoffs screw into an ATX case, so that won't work.  Are there plastic ones available I could glue?

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: Franco B on June 08, 2011, 11:28:29 am

Standard PCB mounting feet would probably be the easiest thing to glue to acrylic.

(http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/21-106-large/pcb-feet.jpg)

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: ChadTower on June 08, 2011, 11:30:22 am

I've done it with zip ties and a ball point pen I cut up.

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: Vigo on June 08, 2011, 11:37:12 am

+1 on pcb feet.

Of course if you are looking for a strict, clear plastic look, you could consider using clear rigid pvc tubing, and putting a screw in the center just the same as pcb feet. The kind of tubing that is used in fish tanks.

Still, I would just go with pcb feet.

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: ChadTower on June 08, 2011, 11:39:44 am

Yeah there is no need to glue.  Use machine screws/nuts.

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: Vigo on June 08, 2011, 11:43:35 am

Big Box-O-Machine screws = My best friend with these kind of projects.  ;D

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: Franco B on June 08, 2011, 11:45:40 am

Depends if you want the bolt heads showing on the other side or not....

I often use acrylic with counterbored holes to make mounts:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/Gun%20Bezel/Gun_Bezel013.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/Gun%20Bezel/Gun_Bezel022.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/Mushipanel2002.jpg)

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: robertsig on June 08, 2011, 01:21:30 pm

I found a way that I think will work.  It's just a mini-itx board, so it should be secure enough.

I'll glue some of these flat plastic standoffs.
http://www.bizsyscon.com/product/OTHER__BSC-STANDOFF__5144.html (http://www.bizsyscon.com/product/OTHER__BSC-STANDOFF__5144.html)

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: bkenobi on June 08, 2011, 01:43:11 pm

I've found that clips like those are a pain in the arse.  The ones I've used would bend rather then pushing through the hole.  I would personally use a screwed in solution, but I don't see why those standoffs wouldn't work.

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: eds1275 on June 09, 2011, 12:40:37 am

I generally get a little piece of pex pipe from the plumbing area of home depot. Just a toilet supply tube or something for a dollar, gives me about 50 standoffs.

Title: Re: Standoffs for acrylic?
Post by: DillonFoulds on June 09, 2011, 01:59:22 am

(http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/008236/008236682403lg.jpg)

If you're looking for something clear, BIC Crystal pen and a fast spinning, slow moving cutting blade (or mitre/chop saw, SLOW MOVING, fine toothed blade). Or you could maybe try a stationary belt sander?