1/8 acrylic

[blaze15301]

i was wondering if 1/8 acrylic something like this

http://www.mnpctech.com/acrylic_colo..._windows1.html

would be strong enough to hold up a harddrive up with out bowing or cracking. the acrylic will slide into the mdf board. i was going to use 1/4 acrylic for this but colored acrylic that think is very expensive.

[NightrainSrt4]

If you don't crack it when drilling you should be alright. Back in the day, lol, I used 1/16 plexi for one half of my drive bays and I don't recall having any cracks. So 1/8 should be fine. Add some rubber/fiber washers if it is a big concern.

[mDust]

It flexes only a minute amount with one drive and a little bit with two. It's nowhere near its breaking point.

Since its load capacity depends on the length between supports, it really depends on how you mount it. The distance between the boxes in the pics is just over 10 inches.

[NightrainSrt4]

Are you only going to mount on one side? In that case you would probably have issues. If the gap is a shorter length you would have less bending issues as well. If there are two sides of acrylic with the hdd's in the middle then they would become part of the structure when screwed in.

Really depends on how you are going to mount them. I wouldn't dare trust mounting my hard drives with only one edge side screwed into 1/8" acrylic.

Edit: I know the pictures aren't from the OP. But the questions still are pertinent as I couldn't figure out if the acrylic was only going to be on one side, or two.

[blueonblack]

It will depend on if it's cast acrylic or extruded also. The link you posted was for cast acrylic, which is denser and stronger than extruded. The cast acrylic I worked with on my last build was very strong and wouldn't have any problem at all with a hard drive. As mentioned though, length is definitely a factor.

mDust, is that acrylic in the pics cast or extruded?

[x88x]

blaze, I'm assuming this is for your bench build? In that case, judging from mDust's photos, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

[blaze15301]

It flexes only a minute amount with one drive and a little bit with two. It's nowhere near its breaking point.

Since its load capacity depends on the length between supports, it really depends on how you mount it. The distance between the boxes in the pics is just over 10 inches.

mdust did you take those just for me

thank you everyone for you quick response but yes this is for my bench build here is the link if any one wants to check it out.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ad.php?t=23731

i think the sketchup is pretty self explanatory. but im always open to suggestions.

[blaze15301]

oh yeah i would just like to say it is user like mdust and x88x and so many other who are very helpful like this. that is why i keep coming back to this forum. you guys are awesome if i could id personally thank each and everyone of you.

[mDust]

mDust, is that acrylic in the pics cast or extruded?

Cast.

mdust did you take those just for me

Yep. I'm in the process of moving and I had acrylic scraps and other materials in one box and computer components, my camera, and other related stuff in the box next to it. I figured my current situation was a sign I was meant to answer your question...

oh yeah i would just like to say it is user like mdust and x88x and so many other who are very helpful like this. that is why i keep coming back to this forum. you guys are awesome if i could id personally thank each and everyone of you.

I'm glad we were able to help you out.