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 Posted - November 15 2011 : 12:31:40 AM
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I've been kicking around the idea of building some sort of display case for my N scale layout. It would basically just be a wooden box/frame with clear panels on each side to view the layout through. The question though is what to use as "windows". I just need something clear to keep the dust off...any ideas?
I looked into plexi-glass, but it's a little more expensive/heavy-duty than what I need 
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 Posted - November 15 2011 : 09:39:36 AM
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Honestly, I would avoid plexiglass anyway. It won't hold up to the cleaning and is easily scratched.
I would use picture frame glass. It is pretty cheap and if you are handy with a cutter, you can cut your own.
Just make sure the cutter is new or in very good shape and the wheel is well oiled and you do it on a flat surface. Lay a cardboard flat out on a table and cut the glass on it. Just scribe a straight line (firmly). Pull the glass to the edge of the table so that your line is right at the edge and give it one sudden but gentle push downward and it will break cleanly across your line. It is quite easy and will last forever. Or until someone breaks it.
Sean
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!" - Mario Andretti!
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Posted - November 15 2011 : 09:40:24 AM
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quote:some sort of display case for my N scale layout.... The question though is what to use as "windows". ...any ideas?
Originally posted by DaCheez - November 15 2011 : 12:31:40 AM
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Well, you could use the material used for PCB artwork , Clear acetate OHP transparencies, or Polyester drafting film. You can get them in large sheets, like 2 x 3 foot, or metric sizes A3 420x297MM CLEAR OHP ACETATE TRANSPARENCIES ( Amazon.com ). $7 for 10 sheets. Some are fairly thick sheeting, could be tacked to a wooden framework, and reasonably cheap compared to Plexi. They will crease and dent if poked, prodded or folded too much, but would make a rather thrifty dust covering. I have smaller sheets of the stuff, with printing on some, I could cut you off some samples of the clear areas and mail them to you, you could see if that's what you might want to use, and put up with the non-rigid nature of the sheets.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SHEETS-420x297MM-CLEAR-ACETATE-TRANSPARENCIES/dp/B005HWD800
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - November 15 2011 : 10:55:02 AM
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I had someone give me a display cabinet  It had glass on it but I couldn't open them so I broke the glass off & to me without doors looks better
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Posted - November 15 2011 : 12:21:30 PM
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First of all, thanks for the replies!
AMC, that plastic sheeting was kinda what I was thinking of, I just had no idea what it was called I don't suppose you know where to get the larger sheets? The smaller sheets would be perfect for an engine case or something, but my N scale layout needs either 2ft or 4 ft long sheets
MnT, the picture frame glass also sounds tempting! Where do you buy it from?
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