Quick Question: Epoxy metal to Plexiglass/Plastic??

HotDog-Cart · Post by **HotDog-Cart** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:27 pm

Can I use epoxy and cement/epoxy something metal (like a hinge) to plexiglass/plastic?

If not, what can I use to connect something metal to plexiglass/plastic?
(I cant use screws, and such. It has to be some time of bonding agent.)

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:45 pm

Yes, you can use epoxy. I'd recommend that two-part epoxy that sets in about 5 min. Can you set the hinges so the epoxy all ends up inside the case? It'll look cleaner on the outside.

HotDog-Cart · Post by **HotDog-Cart** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:50 pm

Dunno. I may try JB Weld. Its like expoy but like 29382939239823923% more powerful.

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:52 pm

That should work just as well. Apparently, you can repair engine blocks with that stuff. Just remember, it will squeeze out around the edges of the hinges. That's why I recommended trying to get all that inside the case.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:45 pm

Yes, JB Weld is amazing. There are types that set in a few minutes or in a few hours.

HotDog-Cart · Post by **HotDog-Cart** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:33 pm

Alright. Thanks guys. Tomorrow I gotta get a hot glue gun, jb weld, and 2-4 hinges. Then construct my case and BAM. Finished.

I just have to figure out one thing. I have to make some type of brace for the hinges. As the only hinges I can find, go a full 360 rather than stop at a certain degree like laptop hinges. I'm thinking of making a picture frame type idea, where a peice of material comes out the back of the frame and holds the frame up.

ShockSlayer · Post by **ShockSlayer** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:29 pm

or maybe a small chain in the front that keeps it from going back

thats what I did.

SS

HotDog-Cart · Post by **HotDog-Cart** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:45 pm

:D:D My dad suggested that. Yea, I could do that. That'd work perfectly.

One thing though, my LCD monitor is quite heavy. I would need to do possibly 2-4 of the chain things to make sure the chains dont snap. (Depending on the gage of the chain.)

Also, I MAY have to counter balance the bottom of the laptop, as the screen will be heavier than the dreamcast portion. I don't want it falling over.

Post by **bicostp** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:35 am

Or instead of adding weight you could mount the screen hinge a few inches forward, like the Wii laptop. That way it has something else to keep it from falling over, rather than relying on sheer bulk.

HotDog-Cart · Post by **HotDog-Cart** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:09 am

Cant do that. As my case is already cut to the exact measurements of my screen. (So when the screen folds down it closes exactly on the edges of the case.)

EDIT: You know what? I just tested something. The monitor I have, came with a stand. Sure the stand is bulky somewhat, but guess what? If I keep that stand on, I can tilt the monitor back using the hinges and not have the whole thing topple over. (This seems to be my only method, as the monitor is HEAVY. Even if I used the chain idea, the chains would either snap or the whole laptop will flip over.)

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:13 am

All the chain has to do is hold the screen in one place, as long as you don't swing it around by it I bet even 1 piece of kite string could hold it.

How about something like this? Or the ones that briefcases have in them (similar to the one in the link but the long piece has a hinge in the middle so it takes less space).

HotDog-Cart · Post by **HotDog-Cart** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:30 am

As I have said, the monitor is so heavy that it would actually pull on the bottom half of the case and make it fall over. Trust me, this things heavy.

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:46 pm

Since you're planning on something less portable anyway, is there any room in the bottom half to add something to act as a counterweight? Nothing extreme, just enough to off-set what the monitor's weight is doing.

HotDog-Cart · Post by **HotDog-Cart** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:59 pm

Hell yea. A lot of space. Yet, if I counter balance it, it will weigh a ton. Like... it will be twice the weight now.

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:04 pm

Can you move the DC guts closer to the front edge of the case? A counterweight doesn't have to weigh as much as the initial weight. It just has to move the center of gravity to a safe spot.

Anyway, it's been my experience that the more stable laptops have their battery closest to you, as it offsets the weight of the screen. Again, it doesn't weigh as much as the screen, but it moves the overall center of gravity.