DIY Acrylic Display Cases

Acrylic display cases are used for storing collectibles or displaying sale items. They are crystal clear cases that are held together by a crystal clear acrylic epoxy. Acrylic is clearer than glass and stronger than glass. An acrylic display case is very unlikely to break if it is dropped or hit. Working with acrylic is similar to working with wood. It can be manipulated just as easily using power tools like table saws and drills. Building your own display case out of acrylic will be much cheaper than buying one.

Safety glasses
Tape measure
2 acrylic sheets, 1-by-4-by-15-inches
2 acrylic sheets, 1-by-3 1/2-by-12-inches
Acrylic sheet, 1/8-by-14-by-15-inches
Acrylic sheet, 1/8-by-13-by-15-inches
Table saw, w/fence
2 clamps, 18-inches
Acrylic epoxy

Instructions

- 1
  Set the fence on the table saw so it is 3/8 inch away from the blade. Position the blade so it is 1 inch above the table. Run both 1-by-4-by-15-inch pieces of acrylic across the blade so you have an 1/8-inch groove that is 3/8 inches away from the 15-inch edge. You need only one groove on each piece.
- 2
  Position the pieces from the last step on edge, parallel, 12 inches apart, with the grooves 3 ½ inches above the ground and facing each other. Set the 12-inch pieces perpendicularly between them so they are also on edge and 13 inches apart. The corners should be flush. Glue the pieces together in this position using the epoxy. Apply it to the ends of the 12-inch pieces and use your clamps to hold them together in this position. Let the epoxy dry according to instructions.
- 3
  Turn the frame over so the grooves are close to the ground. Glue your 14-by-15-inch sheet of acrylic to the edges of the acrylic so all of the edges are flush. Let it dry according to instructions.
- 4
  Slide the 13-by-15-inch acrylic into the grooves provided by the sheets cut in the first step.

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