Hi Everyone,
Later this summer I was thinking about starting to build a custom plexiglass case, but with no specific system in mind. If anyone out there has ever worked with plexiglass, can you throw me some pointers?
Thanks in advance

hmm, how about a real glass case... Cut templates out of card, then ask a local glass dealer to cut to shape, then use silicon sealant (like fish tanks) to seal it all up...

That would look proper ace..

agreed, but why, just buy aluminim, it conducts heat much better

I think the OP wants it for the aesthetic appeal of a clear case.

Real glass is too fragile for a computer case.

Im sure there are manufactured cases you can buy that will be much higher quality then anything you could make without any experiance of working with plexiglass.

thanx.
djcoolmasterx is right, i want it for looks, and glass is to fragile

I also want the experience of making one myself. That way, I can also make one exactly as I want.

There is very little (practically none) heat conducted through the case. It gets carried by the cooling fluid (air, water, freon, extra virgin olive oil).

There are acrylic PC cases out there already, you might want to consider purchasing one.

There are two main types of acrylic, extruded (cheaper and looks it), and cell cast (somewhat more expensive, but very flat), I recommend the cell cast.

The major acrylic manufacturers have published many guides about cutting, drilling, gluing and forming the material. Also try cruising some aquarium fora, there's lots of discussion of homemade acrylic tanks.

Here's one:
Acrylic aquarium guide

thankx brer_squid
The design that I have come up with so far features half a dozen of 120 mm fans, so I believe cooling will be no problem, even with a QX6700 (wish i had a deep enough pocket for one of those), as the case design i have come up with so far includes a built in water cooler (with a large radiator from swiftTech)

Glad I could be helpful, but it appears I was unclear; there is practically no heat conducted through ANY case, regardless of material. Your heat concerns would be the same if you case was acrylic, aluminum, corrugated cardboard, or gold.

Nonetheless, good luck (and wear safety goggles).

i considered a plexiglass case once but i've changed my mind
it has the looks it has the whoaa factor but ...all these can turn in an disavantage!
imagine your pretty shiny transparent plexiglass case full of DUST !
then your buddy calls you :hey let's go to the LAN party we're late!
well a bit exagerated scenario but is very plausible so to me no plexiglass case!

Thankx everyone. I now have more information than I did this morning, which is always good, and I will probably get more.
ComputerCustomizer

Thanx everyone. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
ComputerCustomizer

cast a case out of gold...lol

sell your house, cast a case out of gold, and prepare for pictures

it sounds like a great idea, and a great experience, but my only concern is fabricating like the 5.25 bays and the hdd cage and the mobo holder... i mean making the box would be the EASY part, but getting everything to fit and mesh well is where it would get sticky.

idk.

... but i think you should go for the gold idea

I had planned to put the mobo on a seperate tray that would attach at the top and bottom, so that way I wouldn't have to worry about the holes. I have a hdd cage from an old gateway, and the design is pretty straightforward, and I will essentially copy it except make it have room for 6 drives instead of 3...

well if you can do it and show me the pretty pics, then i will be totally amazed. i haven't worked with (plexi)glass much, and i don't think that i could make it happen myself. are you gonna go through with it? if so, keep us updated