[sdiy] Plexiglass Panels

[Andre Majorel]

On 2006-11-14 10:43 +1100, Paul Perry wrote:

> I can't believe that plexiglass is cheaper than metal.
> It certainly isn't in Australia!!!
> Added to which, metal is vastly easier to work with & far
> more robust.
> But if you want CHEAP, then pressed fiberboard or ply 
> (with a few reinforcing hardwood strips behind it) is the go.
> Personally, I'd spring the extra for the plywood.
> 
> Seriously, the cost of the panels doesn't come from the METAL!

No, but I wouldn't call aluminium "cheap". There is about 1.3
EUR's worth of metal in a 1U MOTM-size panel (3 mm thick 2017 A).

Shipping adds about 60% to the cost for aluminium. For steel, the
ratio goes up because the material is much cheaper. Steel probably
costs more to ship than to buy.

What makes metal panels expensive is that you have to have them
made. You can't easily cut sheet metal at home. So plexiglass
might actually be cheaper overall.

-- 
André Majorel <URL:http://www.teaser.fr/~amajorel/>
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