Attaching Hinges to Plexi

[Alias47]

Does anyone have any tips for attaching hinges/knobs to plexi?
What about preventing future cracking from the stress points where they are attached?

Please help...I am customizing some 40gal tanks and am debating on how I want to do it.

Plexi is probably the best solution, but want to be sure it's feasible.

[Quigs]

Two part epoxy, usually these are fine for most surfaces but check and make sure plexi or acrylic in listed on the packaging before you buy.

I'm sure there are other ways, let think about it more as I wake up some...lol

Quigs

[Alias47]

I considered epoxy...I have seen others that were drilled...but I figured that would cause undue stress and cracking over time.

Maybe epoxying is the way to go.
Would make my life easier...then I can use ALL plexi to replace the front glass on the 40's...instead of a wood piece as a substrate dam and anchor site for the hinges.

[Detroit Boas]

Go with Acrylic as oppossed to Plexiglass.It may be a lil more expensive.But it is stronger and does not scratch or swell as bad as plexi in time.As far as driling the plexi do it at a very slow speed.From what i have seen with people that have costom enclosers over time the cracking was minimal and it took a long time.You said hinges so i am guessing this is a door.You could also build a frame for around the plexi to give it more strength=less flimsy..Then you would also have some where to screw the hinges to.

[Alias47]

I am using acrylic...and it IS costly.

I have a 40g glass tank that I inadvertantly broke the front glass out of...or I would use a wooden frame.
I actually am in the process of building a display shelf with timed lights and wired electric...nothing fancy, just out of lumber...maybe when i have time to paint it it will be better!!
I designed the shelves to hold 2 40's in the middle, 3 20L's on top, and 2 20L's on the bottom with a cabinet in the middle to keep extra crap in.
I think, if I can work out putting dropdown acrylic doors on the front of the broken tank...and permanently attaching screen to the top...I am actually going to cut the glass out of the front of my good 40 and do the same with it. I have a big enough sheet of acrylic. I am also dividing both 40's into two halves in the center so I will have 2 doors on the front of each.

I may try the epoxy first...it's only 1/4 inch acrylic...I would hate to have it break...