3/8in thick acrylic - would this make a good chassis?

jarthel · 22nd May 2006, 06:13 AM

thinking of building the aikido and acrylic seems like a very beatiful idea.

any tips that I should know if I decided to use acrylic?

thanks for the replies.

arnoldc · 22nd May 2006, 06:37 AM

have you seen tubelab's site? he likes acrylic

for protection too!

seriously, i would just be worried about the heat generated by 4 tubes if they're enclosed with ventilation of course. but i guess not... my friend tore apart his audio note top cover and changed it to acrylic... let me look for it...

here-

jarthel · 22nd May 2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by arnoldc
have you seen tubelab's site? he likes acrylic for protection too!

seriously, i would just be worried about the heat generated by 4 tubes if they're enclosed with ventilation of course. but i guess not... my friend tore apart his audio note top cover and changed it to acrylic... let me look for it...

here-

how about long term effects? would they become brittle?

arnoldc · 22nd May 2006, 06:50 AM

i have no idea. the last time i saw him was last november. he isn't talking audio as he used to.

jarthel · 22nd May 2006, 06:53 AM

thanks.

i guess it's back to the ebony idea I talked to you about in email.

plus it's free for me

as my dad will have to pay for it.

ps. is it heavy?

arnoldc · 22nd May 2006, 07:00 AM

a bit but don't know how heavy. i don't think this will work for you... you can *not* bring wood into australia, especially philippine wood. check the law first before you have one made. philippine ebony is also protected under local law, but you can get it from legit sources like i did.

jarthel · 22nd May 2006, 07:28 AM

hmmm I think that somehow you are right about wood products and bringing it to Australia

that's a bummer

tubelab.com · 22nd May 2006, 01:18 PM

Sorry for the lack of postings, I have been working 12 hour days trying to get ready for a project prototype demonstration on May 30. We have to justify our jobs. Things should return to normal after that, provided our project gets approved.

The Lexan amplifier that is pictured on my web site is still sitting on my desk, and gets used at least three times a week. I have seen no indication that the plastic is degrading. It is almost 2 years old. The room is lit with flourescent lighting and there is no yellowing of the plastic. I experiment on this amp regularly and the plastic does get scratched.

Do not use Plexiglass. It will sag over time from the weight of the transformers and the heat from the tubes. I used Lexan that I got on Ebay. There are a few other trade names for this Polycarbonate plastic. Hyzod comes to mind, but there is another that I can't remember. Do an Ebay search for polycarbonate or Lexan.

AndrewT · 22nd May 2006, 01:34 PM

Hi,
acrylic polishes well, although needs patience.

It is very brittle, take care when drilling and bolting.

Scratches easily and is thermo plastic.

Acrid fumes (toxic) when burnt.

22nd May 2006, 06:13 AM	#1
jarthel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere in Australia	3/8in thick acrylic - would this make a good chassis? thinking of building the aikido and acrylic seems like a very beatiful idea. any tips that I should know if I decided to use acrylic? thanks for the replies.

22nd May 2006, 01:18 PM	#8
tubelab.com diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida	Sorry for the lack of postings, I have been working 12 hour days trying to get ready for a project prototype demonstration on May 30. We have to justify our jobs. Things should return to normal after that, provided our project gets approved. The Lexan amplifier that is pictured on my web site is still sitting on my desk, and gets used at least three times a week. I have seen no indication that the plastic is degrading. It is almost 2 years old. The room is lit with flourescent lighting and there is no yellowing of the plastic. I experiment on this amp regularly and the plastic does get scratched. Do not use Plexiglass. It will sag over time from the weight of the transformers and the heat from the tubes. I used Lexan that I got on Ebay. There are a few other trade names for this Polycarbonate plastic. Hyzod comes to mind, but there is another that I can't remember. Do an Ebay search for polycarbonate or Lexan. __________________ Too much power is almost enough! Turn it up till it explodes - then back up just a little.

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22nd May 2006, 06:37 AM	#2
arnoldc diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Makati	have you seen tubelab's site? he likes acrylic for protection too! seriously, i would just be worried about the heat generated by 4 tubes if they're enclosed with ventilation of course. but i guess not... my friend tore apart his audio note top cover and changed it to acrylic... let me look for it... here-

22nd May 2006, 06:50 AM	#4
arnoldc diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Makati	i have no idea. the last time i saw him was last november. he isn't talking audio as he used to.

22nd May 2006, 06:53 AM	#5
jarthel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere in Australia	thanks. i guess it's back to the ebony idea I talked to you about in email. plus it's free for me as my dad will have to pay for it. ps. is it heavy?

22nd May 2006, 07:00 AM	#6
arnoldc diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Makati	a bit but don't know how heavy. i don't think this will work for you... you can not bring wood into australia, especially philippine wood. check the law first before you have one made. philippine ebony is also protected under local law, but you can get it from legit sources like i did.

22nd May 2006, 07:28 AM	#7
jarthel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere in Australia	hmmm I think that somehow you are right about wood products and bringing it to Australia that's a bummer

22nd May 2006, 01:34 PM	#9
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, acrylic polishes well, although needs patience. It is very brittle, take care when drilling and bolting. Scratches easily and is thermo plastic. Acrid fumes (toxic) when burnt.