[sdiy] Plexiglass Panels

[René Schmitz]

Hello Stefano,

-- Stefano -- wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I'm planning (and budgeting) to build a modular synth (designs by Ray 
> Wilson). I'm trying to cut the costs of buying metal panel (MOTM). I 
> think that dark PLEXIGLASS panels may be used instead of the expensive 
> dark metal panels. The enclosre could be wood+metal rails to host the 
> modules. I know that metal panel are more good-looking...

Not exactly, but I've used 4mm "polystyrene glass" for the frontpanel of 
the 19 inch case of my tube synth. Which is not to be rackmount, btw.

Some images are here: http://hamburg096.server4you.de/~rene/tubesynth/

The big trouble is to avoid scratches during drilling/handling and 
cracks around the holes. Turning in a screw too tight, and it starts to 
crack. I should have used larger washers to distribute the forces.
Also it flexes quite a bit. For a modular panel it might be ok, if you 
have some means to fortify the edges. I thought about running an L 
profile along the whole length to avoid that. Or if you make a wooden 
frame along the edges (at your enclosure), and have 6 or 8 screws 
instead of 4 just at the top and bottom.

Cheers,
  René

-- 
uzs159 at uni-bonn.de
http://www.uni-bonn.de/~uzs159