I've been asked to make a floor-standing display case, maybe 30" tall.   I'm guessing it needs to have tempered glass???    I've only ever used single-strength window glass for picture frames and small wall mounted cabinets.  

Edited December 5, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
tags added

Lexan?

29 minutes ago, kmealy said:

I'm guessing it needs to have tempered glass??? 

 

yes...

go to a glass shop and order the size you need...

18 minutes ago, DAB said:

Lexan?

 

not for a display case...

1st somebody cleans it w/ Windex degradation and clouding up begins w/ begets more cleaning because it looks - well - not clean...

scratches too...

I made a large humidor and used double strength plate glass for the top. It was almost .25" thick.

 

that is some serious nice Lew...

1 minute ago, Stick486 said:

that is some serious nice Lew...

Thanks Stick! That was a project from He**. After it was completed, the owner never added a humidification. I built the thing with wood that was a little higher in moisture content so it would not shrink when the internal humidity was kept high. A lot of work- wasted effort.

Keith, please use tempered. Or increase the limits of you liability coverage.

Beautiful, Lew. We're not responsible for how our customers abuse our creations. Though, it may piss us off. 

 

WOW @lew...too nice to even use let alone abuse. Way outta' my league...

when the check clears, you can do what you want with what i built for you.

17 minutes ago, DAB said:

when the check clears, you can do what you want with what i built for you.

Except this guy wanted me to "adjust" the alignments due to the shrinkage.

"you didn't follow the directions I provided, sorry."

 

just like not filling the gas tank and complaining that your car won't go anymore.  you have to follow directions.

Definitely, use tempered glass.  

Kmely,

Have a conversation with the glass shop you intend to buy your glass from. 

 

I believe you can use laminated glass (like what they use in windshields in car) if you want.  The 18 years I worked at the Anchorage District I and others built quite a variety of display case of all sizes, book shelves with sliding glass doors and glass shelves. A bunches of trophy cases too. All that glass around kid of all ages.  Every bit of that glass was laminated not one piece of it was tempered. I can't believe we did it wrong for all those years.

 

I believe you could use either tempered or laminated glass. Each has there pluses and minuses.

 

Edit to ad

https://www.aisglass.com/laminated-vs-tempered-glass-pros-cons

Edited September 12, 20178 yr by Warped & Twisted

@Warped & Twisted

Good morning Richard...

Good morning Stick

4 hours ago, Stick486 said:

@Warped & Twisted

Good morning Richard...

 

4 hours ago, Warped & Twisted said:

Good morning Stick

Good morning to you both.

Three questions Richard, what's the weight difference between tempered and laminated and, is there a thickness difference? Finally, is there a cost difference?

 

OK, the other question is, is all tempered glass custom cut, then tempered, or can you get it in standard sizes?

 

Should I get the glass to fit the case or make the case to it the glass?

2 hours ago, kmealy said:

OK, the other question is, is all tempered glass custom cut, then tempered, or can you get it in standard sizes?

 

Should I get the glass to fit the case or make the case to it the glass?

You definitely want to get the glass first. Then you will be able to make adjustments to make a good fit but not too tight. You can get clips to make it possible to remove the glass and they make assembly easier.

4 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

 

Good morning to you both.

Three questions Richard, what's the weight difference between tempered and laminated and, is there a thickness difference? Finally, is there a cost difference?

 

When I was building aquariums many moons ago, I was told that glass was tempered AFTER cutting to size. But don't quote me.

John