Glass or Plexi larger than 96"?

Create a Post
cjmst3k

cjmst3k

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 25, 2006
Posts
4,414
I have a customer inquiring about a shadowbox for a fabric item, which needs to be 108" x 60". Apparently no glass is made in this size, and no plexiglass in this size (except for Optium which has a retail of about $3000 per sheet).

Is this correct? No regular plexi or glass from any supplier?

I told the customer I would get back to them this afternoon... but I don't think the materials exist to begin with.
 
Small Corp Greenfeild Mass

Plexi does come in big sizes. But Small Corp does custom boxes and custom size plexi (OK acrylic, just to lazy to type all the letters )
 
You can get Plexi in that size from AIN Plastics ( [FONT=&quot]877 246 7700).

Shipping might be expensive and you may want to go with thicker (1/4 inch maybe) if bowing is a consideration with something that large. It will be heavy too.

I framed something that size 3 years ago and my cost with delivery was a bit over $500.
[/FONT]
 
Partly why I suggested Small Corp. You'll get a good price, and since you will have to pay a premium you might as well get it cut to size ;)
 
You can also work with Gemini Moulding's Showcase Acrylics.

Just talked to them on another project and they said 108" should not be a problem in uncoated acrylic.

Phone: 1.800.323.3575
 
cjmst3k said:
(except for Optium which has a retail of about $3000 per sheet).
Click to expand...

You might want to check your figures again. That would probably be for the 3mm 48"x 96" Optium. The 6mm in the size you are talking runs in the neighborhood of $200/sf retail, putting the cost closer to $9000.00.

Go to Cyro's web site and look up the stock sizes available, and then do a search for a distributor that has what you need. The 6mm (1/4") would be preferable for this size project so you will have to engineer your frame for the added weight.
 
Consider working with a local glass company. They get deliveries by truck from suppliers and have the vehicles to drop large pieces off at your location. Mine doesn't even charge for drop offs - we've been working together for a while.
 
What Pat said, there must be local plastic or glass supplier to work with.
 
I am currently working on an American flag that requires the frame to be 63"x100.5". I bought the plexi-glass from a local company. approximately $500 cut to size and delivered (6mm). I don't have a table to accomodate orders this size so I have to completely reorganize my back room to do it. I probably wouldn't do them but being as the economy is so poor I'm taking everything I can get.
 
wpfay said:
You might want to check your figures again. That would probably be for the 3mm 48"x 96" Optium. The 6mm in the size you are talking runs in the neighborhood of $200/sf retail, putting the cost closer to $9000.00.
Click to expand...

You're right! I got a return call from Turner explaining they had priced it from the under 96" sheet per-foot cost, not the over 96" sheet per-foot cost. Yeah, the quote I gave them after that was insane... hahaha..

However I did find a vendor so I'm all set! :D Even found a vendor with the frame with the exact specs, and just over 9'. Thanks for all the tips! :)
 
Don said:
I am currently working on an American flag that requires the frame to be 63"x100.5". I bought the plexi-glass from a local company. approximately $500 cut to size and delivered (6mm). I don't have a table to accomodate orders this size so I have to completely reorganize my back room to do it. I probably wouldn't do them but being as the economy is so poor I'm taking everything I can get.
Click to expand...



A couple of folding tables would work, if you work in your retail space for a couple of days... no?
 
Remember that plex expands and contracts quite a bit with temperature. A 9 foot wide piece can expand between 1/8 and 1/4 inch going from 60F to 80F. Theoretically it could expand as much as 1/2 inch inside a hot truck trailer in the summer.

Be sure to leave plenty of expansion room in whatever captures the plex in place, and the bottom edge of the plex should be able to slide on whatever is supporting it. Best to support the piece in a way that allows slight movement all around. Yes smaller frames and boxes can be simply glued, but the big pieces need to float.
 
Consider laminated safety glass, available through your local glass merchant.

Sure, it is heavier than plex, but it is :

Cheap (compared to acrylics with similar properties)
Blocks 99% UV
Safety (for humans and art) as it holds together if broken
Can clean it without dulling / scratching the surface
Can clean it without charging it up with static

You need a suitable heavy style frame, a good depth rebate, a safe thing is a full back board screwed to the frame to brace, and a bullet proof hanging system (ali z bar across top and bottom stiles, and wall z bar secured very well to studs or wall plugged to brick etc).

We have often supplied this glass here in Australia to framers for very large, UV light sensitive items.
Usually in 5.38mm thickness, approx 3/16", weighs 13.45kg per square metre, which in your lingo is about 2.74lbs per square foot (if I converted it right !).

Cheers,
Les
 
more_so said:
Remember that plex expands and contracts quite a bit with temperature. A 9 foot wide piece can expand between 1/8 and 1/4 inch going from 60F to 80F. Theoretically it could expand as much as 1/2 inch inside a hot truck trailer in the summer.

Be sure to leave plenty of expansion room in whatever captures the plex in place, and the bottom edge of the plex should be able to slide on whatever is supporting it. Best to support the piece in a way that allows slight movement all around. Yes smaller frames and boxes can be simply glued, but the big pieces need to float.
Click to expand...


I've not heard of such a significant potential for expanding! This is going into a shadowbox frame and the frame is going to be cut about 1/8" larger than the plexi, as any smaller plexi could easily fall off the rabbet. I'm wondering how concerned to be now about potential expansion... and even what temperature the supplier should cut the plexi for me, since that will vary from my shop's temperature, etc.
 
Slight expansion but never anything like that. Anyone can call Plaskolite in Ohio and they can clear it up since they are one of the largest manufacturers of acrylic in the world.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top