Windowed side panel, how thick?

[acidydragon]

Hello all!
So I love my case (HAF Stacker 935), however, I'm not a fan of the included window. It's a smoked window, making it hard to see inside.

It's held on by screws, so its easy enough to remove. My question then becomes, how thick of Plexi glass do I need to replace it?

 

Thank you for all answers

 

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Just measure the thickness of the original window and find something similar.

[acidydragon]

Just measure the thickness of the original window and find something similar.

I'm not really trying to replicate the exact window (It's made out of a very cheap plastic), so I want something that will hold up, and the sizes that appear to be available are 0.08 inches (2mm) and 0.22 inches (5.5mm)

[tryphaa]

I'm not really trying to replicate the exact window (It's made out of a very cheap plastic), so I want something that will hold up, and the sizes that appear to be available are 0.08 inches (2mm) and 0.22 inches (5.5mm)

If it's made out of plastic, plexi should hold up a lot better. I would try the exact measurements first.

[acidydragon]

If it's made out of plastic, plexi should hold up a lot better. I would try the exact measurements first.

I don't have any real way of measuring it. O: I would guess it's probably closer to the 0.22 thickness though, so I guess I'll try that tomorrow

I'll post pictures of it as I work if I can

[Excon]

3mm or 1/8" is the standard thickness.

[CartertheCOCguy]

hmm post when ur done i want to see

[acidydragon]

3mm or 1/8" is the standard thickness.

The closest I can get is .08 (0.11 is 1/8), I think I might go for the 0.22 just for added support, does this sound like a good idea, or would it be too heavy?

I plan to attach this using high strength double sided tape (Like, the real heavy duty stuff, not scotch tape.)

 

Any idea what this plexi would weigh? Roughly 1.5ft x 1.5ft

[Excon]

The closest I can get is .08 (0.11 is 1/8), I think I might go for the 0.22 just for added support, does this sound like a good idea, or would it be too heavy?

I plan to attach this using high strength double sided tape (Like, the real heavy duty stuff, not scotch tape.)

 

Any idea what this plexi would weigh? Roughly 1.5ft x 1.5ft

16x14 of 3mm is 1lb 2 oz I would probably go with the thinner stuff, it would be clearer.

[acidydragon]

16x14 of 3mm is 1lb 2 oz I would probably go with the thinner stuff, it would be clearer.

I'll take that into consideration. The tape for this stuff isn't very expensive (if that weight is right), if it's under 2 lb, it ends up being like 5-10 bucks. Wewt.

[Excon]

I'll take that into consideration. The tape for this stuff isn't very expensive (if that weight is right), if it's under 2 lb, it ends up being like 5-10 bucks. Wewt.

It is the right weight since I just went and weighed that piece of acrylic.

[acidydragon]

It is the right weight since I just went and weighed that piece of acrylic.

Well then, perfect

I'll see what they actually have in the store tomorrow, and decide from there. The current window is about 1ft 3 inches x 1ft 6 inches

So, not a huge piece of plexi required.

[TastyRabbit]

I would use acrylic instead of plexiglass. You can order large sheets of it off eBay very cheaply. I'd personally go for a size of around 2mm (dry I use metric). If you ask they can normally cut the sheet to a size you require. I often get the acrylic flame polished as well.

Just keep in mind that working with plastics can be trickier than you expect because they melt, and have a habit of cracking.

Also make sure you buy some of this polish if you decide to do it yourself:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=novus+acrylic+polish&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=36288347379&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2015260670224234044&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_7gz6fumadk_b

I really recommend novus polish for plastics.

Good luck

[acidydragon]

-snip-

What are the benefits of Acrylic over Plexi?

[TastyRabbit]

Plexiglass is just a brand of acrylic. Its normally cheaper to just buy acrylic sheet (polyacrylate).

[acidydragon]

Headed to the hardware store to see what they have.

I'll update when I come back.

[tryphaa]

Headed to the hardware store to see what they have.

I'll update when I come back.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand?

[acidydragon]

So, I went to the hardware store, and got 0.09 inch Acrylic (about 2.5mm), but they wouldn't cut it.

So, I came home, and used a Hacksaw to try to cut it (I tried scoring it, but couldn't get it deep enough)

I cut it AWESOME (mild jaggy-ness).

But I measured wrong >.>

 

So, I went back to a hardware store (different one), and they cut it for me

However, they cut it too long, in one of the dimensions, so I had to wedge it into place.

Now it's in place, with Double Sided Tape (Rated for 5lb of force), and looks fabulous!

 

When my internet stops being stupid, I'll put up some pics.

 

@TastyRabbit @ @CartertheCOCguy

[CartertheCOCguy]

So, I went to the hardware store, and got 0.09 inch Acrylic (about 2.5mm), but they wouldn't cut it.

So, I came home, and used a Hacksaw to try to cut it (I tried scoring it, but couldn't get it deep enough)

I cut it AWESOME (mild jaggy-ness).

But I measured wrong >.>

 

So, I went back to a hardware store (different one), and they cut it for me

However, they cut it too long, in one of the dimensions, so I had to wedge it into place.

Now it's in place, with Double Sided Tape (Rated for 5lb of force), and looks fabulous!

 

When my internet stops being stupid, I'll put up some pics.

 

@TastyRabbit @ @CartertheCOCguy

CANT WAIT To see it

[TastyRabbit]

Did you buy any polish, it really is great being able to keep it shiny. If you are feeling brave you can polish the sides you cut with a lighter, but I wouldn't bother if no-one can see it.

They always cut the wrong size... I even ordered some cut by CNC and it was out by a few mm...

[acidydragon]

Pictures!

Removed the window

 

 

 

The old window was held on with screws by these pop up things, they'll have to be removed.

 

 

 

Supplies (also putting on a clear coat for what I painted, a while ago)

 

 

 

Measured, and marked to cut!

 

 

 

 

Not the cleanest cut, but not the worst. I cut it with a hacksaw...

 

 

 

Knocked all of the studs off. Just used a hammer, and knocked them sideways.

 

 

Beautiful finished project  Ended up having to get another piece of Acrylic (I measured wrong >.< ), and they cut it in store.

As you can see... O wait, it's clear, you can't...

 

 

@TastyRabbit @ExconHD @CartertheCOCguy

[acidydragon]

Sorry that the pictures are a tad cruddy, taken with my HTC One. I need a new battery charger for my T3i

[TastyRabbit]

Wow pretty nice. next you can build an aquarium! The haf is so beasty.

[acidydragon]

Wow pretty nice. next you can build an aquarium! The haf is so beasty.

I love it. Water cooling and getting the last section soon

[asusfan]

dont you have a jig saw? fasten (clamp) a peice of wood to the plastic window so the blade will run straight down the line where you want it cut.

 

also if you want strong and light look into Lexan but it will cost you. as its what is used for race car windshields, like in nascar.