Easy glass cases

[sgtryan13]

First, all credit is due to Keith Bender, this technique is all him, I don't know what he used for tools, but I assume it is similar or the same to what I will describe here:

Go to a local glass supplier, and ask them for 1/4" glass, cut to your desired sizes. Tell them what you are doing with it and they are more than knowledgable. for smaller cases you can get away with 1/8", but my place urged me to use the thicker do to the size of the case. Make sure to tell tehm that you will not be using any type of wooden edge pieces or supports, so that they will sand the sharp edges smooth.

Go to some type of hardware store, I greatly prefer Harbor Freigt for the rest of my tools. Get some 90 degree clamps, 4 of the large plastic ones (grey with black turn knobs), and 4 of the small cheap looking red ones with metal turn screws, and 1 frame clamp ratchet strap. Not sure if that is it's name, but it looks like your basic ratchet strap, but comes wiht 4 90 degree plastic braces to fit along the edges of your case. abiout $40-50 total

go to auto zone or similar auto parts store And get RTV glue, it is a windshield adhesive.

Those are all the materials you need

Once home with all the stuff, install all 4 of your side pieces into the large grey plastic clamps (not tightened yet, just tight enough to hold it steady) and install the red top clamps the same way and, then run a small bead of the RTV glue along the inner gluing edge of each corner, the glue sets slowly, so you have plenty of time to work. tighten the clamps down to hold the whole thing tight now, but obviously not so tight it cracks the glass. Then take the ratchet strap thing and install it halfway up the height of your sides.

Let the whole thing sit for 24 hours, then remove the top clamps only, and run a bead of RTV glue along the top edge and lay your top over it. I like to have my tops with about a 1/4" lip overhang over all 4 sides, this gives you a lip to grab onto, and allows some room for error as well, with fitting. let the top sit for 24 hours with the bottom and side clamps still installed, and you are done. take a razor blade and trim off any excess RTV that seeped out the edges.

A note on the RTV, 1, it is very toxic in it's fumes, it can take your breath away. 2- a little goes a long way, so you don;t need a huge thick bead of the stuff, but make sure the whole edge has glue on it.

That's really about it. once the glue is set, you can pick up the whole damn case by the top 1/4" lip with no worries. I did this for the bush, as well as a 5' long case for my yamato with no problems at all.

These large cases can be heavy, but have advantages over plexi class, in that they don't scratch easily, and won't get that yellowy tone over time that plexi can get.

[boomstick68]

Can you post an pic of the clamps you use. I think I have a Harbor Freight close enough.

[sgtryan13]

If I can get around to digging them back out then sure. I just started some remodeling work, so they are burried in the back of my storage room at the moment...