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I need to build a large showcase to display jewelry-type items, approx 6' L x 4' H x 2' D. My wife and I are opening a small store in a farmer's market, and we can't afford a nice pre-built glass case ($400-$1000!) so I want to try to build one out of plexiglass or acrylic sheets and a 2x4 skeleton, nothing fancy at all. Has anyone else built anything similar? I'm no carpenter, and I'm having a bit of trouble finding sheets of plastic to build with. The home centers (lowes, home depot) don't carry them as far as I know. Should I look at hobby shops? Craft stores? Any advice is greatly appreciated...
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plexiglass can be ordered in 4 x 8 foot sheets at any glass and mirror supply company, however plexiglass is very expensive. Typically a 4 x8 sheet will run in the order of $100. -
Acrylic is nice, but scratches and cracks easily. Fairly brittle. What I'd recommend is a clear polycarbonate such as Lexan. It's the stuff that's used at bank teller windows. Hard to get through. Might be just the ticket to protect the items you're putting on display. What you'd need is the 1/4" thick stuff. Most likely you'll be going with a see-through top and a smaller front panel. You can ask the supplier that you find in the Yellow Pages to cut them to size. They usually charge only for what you purchase (by the sq.ft.). The rest of the cabinet can be a stick frame clad with 1/2" ply. Set the side and back panel a 1/2" higher than the stick frame. Set your Lexan in place and cover with a 1/4" molding all around and predrill for screws or you could just lay a nice fillet of clear silicone all around to seal it and keep it in place. That silicone can also be used at the mating corner of the top and front sheets. Be sure to set down some masking tape about a 1/4" from the edges before you caulk. Let the caulk set up and then pull that tape for a nice neat edge. Check out some aquariums. They do the same thing and it holds very well! It will look good for you. The cabinet back can have your access door panels for retreiving your items.Comment
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thanx for all of the info. wish me luck...Comment
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Good luck. Send in a pic when it's done.Comment
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