Acrylic case or PVC (Sintra) case?

woox · Post by **woox** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:45 pm

What is the best material for a durable and nice looking case? Acrylic case or PVC (Sintra) case?

I am making a PS3 laptop, do you guys know what material ben used for it?

APHawkes · Post by **APHawkes** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:09 am

Have you ever held Sintra? It's not what I would consider "tough." You can make impressions in it with your fingernail. I believe that Ben uses Sintra for forming the shape, and then wraps it in something more durable (engraving plastic?) to stand up to wear-and-tear.

Acrylic is pretty, but can be scratched. Some people like it, some don't.

woox · Post by **woox** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:29 am

Well I am looking at his xbox 360 laptop tutorial and he used Sintra apparently:

But he re inforced the bottom with aluminum.

He also added a top of acrylic plasitc:

For this example I've cut the lip out of 0.125-inch thick acrylic and super glued and JB Welded it to the top of the lower half walls. It contains screw holes which we'll use to attach the inner plates later on. For this example these pieces have been painted green with Krylon "spray paint for plastic". Costs a bit more but allegedly it's better.

But looking further Ben seems to have reinforced the plastic outside with something I dont know:

So again I am left clueless :/

What I am thinking is do this, make the base with Sintra, reinfoce it with some plastic (please give me a reocmmenadation for a cheap but strong plastic), and then vaccum fold a nice outside shielding.

Sound good?

APHawkes · Post by **APHawkes** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:35 am

As I said, I think he puts engraving plastic on the outside.

Acrylic is a good choice, really. It does scratch, but not too easily and can be buffed out. It's what I'm using for my portable (whenever I get around to working on it).

woox · Post by **woox** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:04 am

Is it possible to use acrylcic or engraving plastic to create a vaccum fold mold?

And is ALL acrlyic clear? Is tehre no solid black or white sheet?

and last, what is best place to get engraving plastic? THe murphy website ben links to in sticky is dead :/

APHawkes · Post by **APHawkes** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:20 am

I can't say what works for vacuum molds as I've never made one.

Acrylic is available in various colors and tints including black and white. Without these pigments it is naturally clear, so this is the way you normally find it in hardware stores. If you can't find a color you like you can paint the back side of the clear acrylic whatever color you want. I mentioned a couple online plastic suppliers in a previous thread of yours - they have it. I get mine from a local supplier, as this is more cost-effective for me.

I'm having trouble linking to the Main Trophy Supply website as well. You can get that locally too. Maybe from a ....trophy shop? Or somewhere where they....engrave plastic?

woox · Post by **woox** » Thu May 29, 2008 8:58 pm

can you perform a vac form on ABS plastic?