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Using smoked plexiglas - Hey RandyT!
RandyT:
--- Quote from: patrickl on August 27, 2004, 07:03:08 am ---Randy "works" in every business that comes up here. Just go to a shop and compare them yourself. Glass looks better but costs more. Plexi works ok too, but looks less nice (for tinted plexi it's less difference than for clear plexi, but still) and will deteriorate quicker over time.
So both work, but it depends on your importance on the looks issue if it's worth it. I don't think anyone else can decide that for you.
--- End quote ---
Patrick,
Are you naturally a jerk or did the bullies at your high school turn you into one after years of systematic pummeling?
I've been in the precision optics business for the last 13 years and now design and build "glasses-free" 3D optical systems, many of which are currently being built into interactive kiosks. My name is on 3 patents related to such. We also have a company that wants these systems built into arcade machines. So yes, much of what gets discussed here are things I deal with every day in a professional capacity. What does your resume look like?
To answer the other poster's question, the cost difference would be based on the rarity of the material, as well as any tempering that might need to be done for safety reasons. You can't cut tempered glass (at least not in the conventional way), so tempering must be done after it is cut to size. And, the very dark tint (in glass) has little demand, therefore the production batches are smaller and the prices are higher.
The plexi transmits roughly 18% of the light from the monitor. Check the transmission of the glass you are considering, or ask for the specifications, they are usually available. Over 25% transmission, and you will start to see the outline of the monitor, which will spoil the effect when a vertical game is displayed on a horizontal monitor.
33$ isn't a bad price, but you should check on the transmission specs and, especially if you have kids, the tempering.
RandyT
BTW, whoever resurrected this one, thanks. I actually have tested the transmission since this one was last active and forgot to update it with my findings. The real numbers are in this post. Oh, and the plexi appears to be formulated in such a way that the transmission doesn't vary much whether it is 1/8 or 1/4 in. thick. They are both pretty much the same.
patrickl:
--- Quote from: RandyT on August 27, 2004, 08:13:42 am ---
--- Quote from: patrickl on August 27, 2004, 07:03:08 am ---Randy "works" in every business that comes up here. Just go to a shop and compare them yourself. Glass looks better but costs more. Plexi works ok too, but looks less nice (for tinted plexi it's less difference than for clear plexi, but still) and will deteriorate quicker over time.
So both work, but it depends on your importance on the looks issue if it's worth it. I don't think anyone else can decide that for you.
--- End quote ---
Patrick,
Are you naturally a jerk or did the bullies at your high school turn you into one after years of systematic pummeling?
--- End quote ---
He,he, no, but are you that insecure that you need to claim "I have been in this business for x years" on just about every subject. If I add them all up you should probably be 100 years old now, but more importantly "precision optics" is quite a bit away from the "glass industry" or comparing smoked plexi vs glass.
My resume is simply that I compared the two side by side and I saw that smoked glass looks much better (apart from the advice to buy glass from people who actually ARE in the glass/plexi industry). Indeed it was more expensive and it had to be made by order, but that does not negate that it looks better. Also I always notice a substantial amount of scratches on plexi.
There is a difference, but it's up to people to decide for themselves if it's worth the extra cost.
I'm really surprised so many people choose smoked plexi over smoked tempered glass (on upright cabs). I think the only one outspoken about using glass would be paigeoliver. But then, he can get it pretty cheap.
darktemp:
Thanks RandyT, that's exactly what I was looking for. I should have mentioned that the $33 was for "tinted and tempered glass", maybe I should have asked for smoked but I would think it's the same thing. I'll ask for the light rating today, Thanks again. :)
RandyT:
--- Quote from: patrickl on August 27, 2004, 09:49:15 am ---He,he, no, but are you that insecure that you need to claim "I have been in this business for x years" on just about every subject. If I add them all up you should probably be 100 years old now, but more importantly "precision optics" is quite a bit away from the "glass industry" or comparing smoked plexi vs glass.
--- End quote ---
One can't create and or design precision optics without knowing about the materials one would use to do so. That would be like a carpenter not having any knowledge of the woods he uses.
I made that statement because, in public forums like this one, there are often individuals (like yourself) who make comments about things they have little to no experience with, in attempt to make themselves appear to be more intelligent than they actually are, often resulting in disservice to people looking for help by leading them down incorrect paths. In your specific instance, this happens as a side effect of what appears to be a personal feud with me or anything with my name on it.
Here's the deal. I own and am proficient with virtually every piece of hardware used in the creation of an arcade machine. I personally own (2) 36" printers, a 40" vinyl cutter, a 4'x8' CNC router table, a complete electronics assembly station, etc. , etc..... I write software, design electronics, cabinetry and kiosks. All of these things I seem to do well enough that people keep paying me (well) to do them. Should I apologize for trying to help people through my considerable experience in this field? It doesn't mean that my opinions are more valid than any one elses, but I can certainly identify BS when I see it.
--- Quote ---My resume is simply that I compared the two side by side and I saw that smoked glass looks much better (apart from the advice to buy glass from people who actually ARE in the glass/plexi industry). Indeed it was more expensive and it had to be made by order, but that does not negate that it looks better. Also I always notice a substantial amount of scratches on plexi.
--- End quote ---
So in other words, just more of the same subjective commentary this board has come to expect from your posts. I was hoping you actually had a frame of reference on this one and not just "the guy at the glass shop told me so, and the context of the discussion isn't important."
After years of abuse in a commercial environment, glass will look better. In your living room, it just won't matter.
This thread pertained to a specific effect that could be achieved using a specific material with certain specifications. You won't find glass like this "off the shelf", if you can find it at all. The closest inexpensive glass material like this is "architectural glass" for environmental management. This glass has a coating that reflects more light on both sides of the material than uncoated stock, which is undesireable in an arcade machine unless you like looking at an image of yourself superimposed over the game you are playing (then again, you'd probably enjoy that).
But as usual, you've convoluted a thread full of good, simple advice by adding uncertainty and criticism about something you appear not to fully understand.
Well done.
RandyT
Darktemp: PM me if you have any questions. I think this thread is starting to go downhill fast :) .
Bill Mote:
--- Quote from: Warborg on February 05, 2003, 04:56:27 pm ---Hmm, I might have to give this a shot myself... Replace the glass in my Showcase with some smoked plexi, see how it works for an S-Video TV instead of an arcade monitor... :)
One question is will it interfere with the IR signal of the remote? Only time will tell...
--- End quote ---
Holy crap! I hadn't thought of that. I'm just about to start my cabinet and am planning on using a ~25" TV w/S-Video input. I really hadn't thought about how I was going to turn that thing on. Now've I've got some planning to do. I don't want to have to keep track of a remote. SHAZBOT!
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