Replace Case Sides with Plexiglass

Heres my idea. I have the Antec sx1030b, and I love it. But I really dont like the idea of cutting the sides up for windows. But I really do want it see through, and theres a contest coming up here for modded rigs, so I was thinking about replacing the sides, top, and back with nice plexiglass, leaving only the front bezel w/ door. Id want the handle on the pop off side to be put in the new plexiglass side, which would be easy, its just the other sides, and getting it cut right to fit that Im wondering about.

Any ideas? I dont even know where to start.

http://www.modthebox.com/articles/singed/singed10.jpg

thats the case without the sides and top. I guess you can't remove the back without actually redoing the metal joints...so thats not an option. But id love to cover the sides and top with plexiglass..

Keep in mind that to keep the rigidity of the case you will need to use thicker plexiglass and it can make your case EXTREMELY heavy. I tried it before and had to scrap the idea because I didn't like hefting it around to all of the lan parties I was attending at the time.

JM2¢

True. I didn't think about that. But exactly, how heavy would it be? This case's panels aren't exactly the thickest steel around, and almost bend. Its a good 30-35 lbs now. Id be okay with 45lbs...maybe..I dont know.

I used 1/4" and my case couldn't have weighed less than 40-50 lbs! I think my next case will be completely homemade with some help from ny dad. He has a giant machine shop and can do pretty much anything.

did use your antec? (i can't remember if you have the black gradient antec or not) I dont even know how you would make a panel to fit.
it has grooves and stuff.

One thing you have to remember when replacing structural parts, and this is coming from a Materials Engineering graduate, is that just because one material is less dense than the other, its mechanical properties do not necessarily proportionally alter with that difference: Mild Steel sheet is approximately 12 times stiffer than Plexiglas, but only four times denser. After the working/pressing/blanking to shape of side panels there is an inherent level of work hardening which will increase the strength of the sheet by a factor of at least two, making it also approximately twenty times stronger than that same sheet of Plexiglass.

In other words, replacing the case with panels as stiff and strong as those 'heavy' Steel ones you took off will increase its relative mass by a factor of about 10. Or you'll have to accept that the case's strength will be altered. Now, this isn't a big thing, unless you carry it about a lot, or you tend to belt it accidentally with stuff. Like hammers or power tools.

But that's not your major problem. You major problem is making these damned panels without splintering pieces of Plexiglass - its fairly brittle and unforgiving to work with. My hat comes off to the manufacturer of the all-clear case... Patience is definately a virtue.

How do you want to fix the new case panels on? Are the old ones a 'top on first, slide in sides' affair? You could conceivably taper or machine down the edges of the panels to allow that, but they'll become prone to fracture at sharp changes in radius and thinkness.

In a perfect world, we'd have access to cheap, clear Poly(Ethene) sheet, or even better: Transparent 'Aluminum'. Now, where's Scotty when you need him?

You can see my current case <a href="http://home.sc.rr.com/gameguru" target="_blank">here</a>.

The case I actually tried it on had side slide paneles like an old Micron or Dell case. I polished all the edges on the metal frame before I put the plexi on. I rivited the rightside on in pre drilled holes and I put the left side on with small machine screws in tapped holes. I routed all the edges with a 1/4 round bit with my router and then polished them with 2000 grit sandpaper to make them "clear" instead of "frosted". The rigidity of the case wasn't a factor as I had left the steel frame and the front/top/back alone and I used about 6 rivets per edge on the right side to hold the plexi on. Those two pieces were enough to make my case less than fun to transport.

hmm. yeah that would make since. I think its too much trouble to even attempt. Id have to have lots of access to different tools to make a plexiglass door pop on and off without a hitch like the steel one.

and yeah..transparent aluminum like in st4 would be awesome! :D

[quote]Originally posted by Gameguru:
<strong>You can see my current case <a href="http://home.sc.rr.com/gameguru" target="_blank">here</a>...</strong><hr></blockquote>

I recall seeing that case elsewhere... Maybe on a mod site? Or a modding contest?

It's awesome!

What type of paint did you use for the faceplate elements (CD-ROM, etc.)?

[quote]Originally posted by adept:
<strong>

I recall seeing that case elsewhere... Maybe on a mod site? Or a modding contest?

It's awesome!

What type of paint did you use for the faceplate elements (CD-ROM, etc.)?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I remember that he posted it here. maybe that is were you saw it.