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Red Neck Magician Regular user Down Yonder 190 Posts |
I am wanting to use a piece of lexan as a table top for a side table. What would be the best way to secure it to a metal flange? I have never worked with the material before. Any help would be great. Thanks RNM
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Screws! Generally, another piece of Plexiglas material is glued to the tabletop, so there is some depth for the screws will hold.
So if you have a 1/2" thick tabletop, you cut a piece about 4"x4" and glue it to the Plexiglas using the correct solvent. Then drill your pilot holes for your screws. So you would use a screw 3/4" or 5/8" long. Do not over tighten or use rubber washers to absorb the pressure. |
Dr_J_Ayala Inner circle In search of Vlad Dracul and his 2169 Posts |
Good advice William! I would only add that you should be sure to use flush-mounting screws, but that should go without saying. If you need a completely smooth top, I believe there are plastic fillers available to cover/seal the screws so that no metal is exposed.
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Dr. Solar Special user Citrus Heights, Ca. 526 Posts |
Wood screws will crack the material. Best to use machine screws after tapping the right thread size.
"look for me in all things forgotten"
www.drsolar.com |
Chance Wolf Inner circle 2425 Posts |
Dr Solar is correct however the following is IMPORTANT!!
Due to heat, the plex or lexan will expand and contract so you must drill the pilot holes oversized so the plex or lexan floats within the mounting screws. If not, it will surely crack during the first extreme weather exposure. This is a trick I learned in my old Sign Shop days. Hope this helps.
Creator of Wacky Wolf Productions & Fine Collectibles
A DECADE of building Magic and we're just getting started! http://www.wolfsmagic.com |
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Um... I think there may be a bit of confusion between "Lexan" and "Plexiglas". They are not the same thing at all - one being polycarbonate and the other being acrylic - and they react very differently to various machining processes.
You will all undoubtedly find this video interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsls5ZPCUnE&feature=related TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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Darkwing Inner circle Nashville Tn 1850 Posts |
TW,
That was very interesting. I also find it interesting that in the process of manufacturing of Lexan they use phosgene which is a nerve gas. Wow. David |
Dr_J_Ayala Inner circle In search of Vlad Dracul and his 2169 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-12 12:03, Thomas Wayne wrote: Quite right Thomas. In fact, most restaurants use lexan containers to store foods and ingredients. Plexiglass is often substituted for in many different ways when a stronger material than glass (or at least more resistant to certain pressures) is needed/desired. |
Red Neck Magician Regular user Down Yonder 190 Posts |
Thanks for all of the help.
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Anverdi-museum Inner circle 1193 Posts |
There is special clear adhesive for these types of materials should you decide to glue anything. This is applied through a syringe.
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