Plastic L Channel?

[mattsoft]

Hi All - I'm building a couple of bartops and have seen people use plastic L channel to retain marquees/marquee plexi, and to beed the outside corners. A lot of kit vendors include custom-cut L channel for their kits. Does anyone know where you can buy plastic L channel? The local Home Despot does not have it, and the few places I've found online want orders with 25 pieces (at 8 feet lengths) or more. Any ideas? Thanks!

[brihyn]

surprising that your local HD store doesn't carry it.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Trimaco-1-1-8-in-x-1-1-8-in-x-4-ft-Plastic-Corner-Guard-Commercial-01184G/100118843

[mattsoft]

surprising that your local HD store doesn't carry it.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Trimaco-1-1-8-in-x-1-1-8-in-x-4-ft-Plastic-Corner-Guard-Commercial-01184G/100118843

Yeah, they carry those larger sizes that work on a full size upright arcade, but for a bartop, you need 1/2" width and they don't have it that slim.

[vwalbridge]

I used drywall corner bead for my mini Donkey Kong. It's metal and you have to tear the paper off it and paint it black but I eventually got it to work. I too wanted it 1/2 inch.

Walk down the drywall supply isle in Home Depot, you will find it.

[mattsoft]

http://displayproductsonline.com/extrusions/l-channel.html

Perfect! But too pricey. I may settle on Home Despot corner guard/bead.

[Peabo]

I use 1/2" x 3/4" aluminum angle.  The 3/4" gives more room for the screws and allows them to be counter sunk.  Home Depot near carries it

[mgb]

I think the aluminum angle may be a better choice than plastic and it's available at Home Depot & Lowes

[JudgeRob]

Try Googling aluminum supply near you.  A decent aluminum dealer will have all sizes of angles for dirt cheap.  Might have to go to the industrial side of town though... 

[RxBrad]

I thought about using aluminum on my cab's marquee before settling on the plastic L channel mentioned near the top of this thread.

How would one go about about cutting the aluminum?  (Not knowing is why I shied away from aluminum.)  Would the same blade I used on my circular saw to cut the MDF work?  A hacksaw?  Some other special blade?

[mgb]

You can cut it with a hacksaw blade or you can put a diamond blade on the circular saw or a metal cutting blade on a jig saw

Worst case you can have someone cut it to size.

[Peabo]

Hacksaw would work, I use a cutoff wheel in an angle grinder then use a stone in the dremel to clean up the cut edge.  Drilling, you can use the same bits you do for wood, including countersinking.  Aluminum is a soft metal and no special tools needed.

[MartyKong]

Also, I think EMDB had a post about using plastic poster L channel for his marquee. I've looked in the local stores but haven't come acrossed any.

[mattsoft]

Yeah, I'd love to use the plastic stuff, but kind find it for a reasonable cost. I guess if there was a sign supply store -- maybe art supplies? I'll have to broaden my search...

[JudgeRob]

If you cut aluminum,  get a blade with higher teeth per inch.  That will give you a clean edge.   I put a Diablo blade in my miter saw and it makes great corners.  If you have access to a band saw, they work great too.