UMS "Agram" : Making a plexiglass protection box < Articles < Hobby

Making a plexiglass protection box

Marko Paunović, 9th August 2020

Since the article about the Tabletop World terrain table done for Frostgrave was published, I received several questions on how we protect such a gaming bord from dust and dirt when not in use, so I decided to make an article where I describe the process of making a plexiglass protection box for an entire board (in this case the Frostgrave bord) so it could be left on display in the shared spaces of my gaming club UMS „Agram“.

Planning

The table was 90 x 90 cm with a small wooden protection frame around it made primarily to be able to fit the protection box. The height of the tallest building (TTW Town Gate) was around 45cm. All this meant my protection box would need to be 90 x 90 x 50 cm in size. A quick sketch proved that I needed the following:
- 1 piece 90 x 90 cm of 5mm thick plexiglass
- 4 pieces 50 x 90 cm of 5mm thick plexiglass
- 6 pieces of 2 x 2 x 100 cm wooden slat (linden) for 4 x 90 cm for the upper frame and 4 x 50 cm for the legs
- 4 larger metal brackets
- 4 smaller metal brackets
- 4 pieces M5x60 mm screws (for the upper frame)
- roughly 100 M3x16 mm screws (for the legs and the plexiglass)
- screwdriver (or bits for the electric drill)
- electric drill (small and large)
- circular saw
- sanding paper
- meter
- permanent marker
- masking tape

Building

The building process began with carefully marking each slat where I needed to cut it. Using a large table mounted circular saw I cut the pieces to size. Fortunately, the saw I used had a laser pointer which made cutting the slats to exact size much easier. When the cutting was done, I sanded the cut areas with some sanding paper.

Next up I assembled the four 90cm long slats into a square wooden frame. Once done, I used my Proxxon electric drill to drill the holes for the M5x60 screws. I used a 3mm drill bit. After drilling, I fixed the frame with the screws. The frame still wasn't perfectly aligned. To align it, I decided I wouldn't use any extra bits. I would simply use the plexiglass (which was cut to exact specs professionally in the store). Using a 1,5mm drill bit on my Proxxon, I drilled the holes in the plexiglass and the wooden frame. Once I was done drilling the holes on each plank of the frame, I immediately fixed it with five M3x16 screws a side. Note: the plexiglass comes with a protective foil. Do not remove it until all the work is done to prevent accidental damage during the build.

The upper part of the box was done. Next up were the legs. Using the M3x16mm screws I fixed one smaller and one larger bracket to each leg. Once all the legs were done, I fixed them to the upper part of the box. Once the frame was fully assembled, you can notice that due to the relatively small size of (even the larger) brackets, the legs are not perpendicular to the upper part of the box. In fact they were quite wobbly at this point. This isn't a worry as I would again use the plexiglass sides to fix the legs in place. However I decided to proceed with the assembly with the box installed on the Frostgrave board. This way I could place the legs perfectly in the corners of the board and then using the M3x16 screws fix the legs in place with plexiglass. This way, I would use the wooden planks for the structural strength of the entire box while the plexiglass sides would provide the shape and stability.

Finished product

Once the box was built, I carefully removed the protective foil from the plexiglass. In fact, as this was done just before a modelling show, I removed the foil at the show to prevent any possible damage to the case before it arrived at the show.

Latest articles

AGRAM LEGO SECTION - Fourth Lecture and Final Part of the Build

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "382"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(2) "35"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(63) "AGRAM LEGO SECTION - Fourth Lecture and Final Part of the Build"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(57) "AGRAM LEGO SEKCIJA - Četvrto predavanje i kraj izgradnje"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(63) "agram_lego_section_-_fourth_lecture_and_final_part_of_the_build"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(56) "agram_lego_sekcija_-_cetvrto_predavanje_i_kraj_izgradnje"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(1505) "
	

	

	

	

	

	

	
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(3228) "
	U srijedu 24.4. u sklopu naše Agram Lego Sekcije i službeno smo završili sa serijom predavanja  paralelno sa izradom LEGO makete dvorca Hogwarts!

	Posljednje predavanje u ovoj seriji je počelo u 18:00 i trajalo je otprilike sat vremena u kojem je naš Marko prenio sva iskustva sa putovanja u Billund i posjete Legolandu i Lego House-u.

	

	

	Ulaz na predavanja je besplatan i otvoren za sve te prijave nisu potrebne.

	

	

	Izrada makete je rezervirana za članove Agram Lego Sekcije. Ukoliko se želite uključiti u sljedeće projekte, javite se za više informacija na ums.agram@gmail.com .

	

	Za kraj, ekipa je provela struju, odn. rasvjetu kroz cijelu maketu. 

	

	A rezultat je bio magičan!

	
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-24 20:13:19"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-24 20:13:19"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "35"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "1"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(5) "Marko"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(9) "Paunović"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(5) "marko"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(8) "paunovic"
    ["username"]=>
    string(5) "marko"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "3bd37b326d19d1880d3b93a4b32e8fb3a90fa122"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2033-03-07 20:35:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2009-06-02 20:37:03"
  }
}

Marko Paunović, 24th April 2024

AGRAM LEGO SECTION - Third Lecture and Part Three of the Build

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "381"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(3) "100"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(62) "AGRAM LEGO SECTION - Third Lecture and Part Three of the Build"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(59) "AGRAM LEGO SEKCIJA - Treće predavanje i nastavak izgradnje"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(62) "agram_lego_section_-_third_lecture_and_part_three_of_the_build"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(58) "agram_lego_sekcija_-_trece_predavanje_i_nastavak_izgradnje"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(3101) "
	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(4750) "
	U srijedu 17.4. u sklopu naše Agram Lego Sekcije nastavili smo sa serijom predavanja o arhitekturi paralelno sa izradom LEGO makete dvorca Hogwarts!

	Predavanje je počelo u 18:00 i trajalo je otprilike sat vremena uz živu diskusiju o dvorcu Hogwarts, odnosno o stvarnim lokacijama na kojima su filmovi snimani te koji su poslužili kao reference i inspiracija J.K.Rowling prilikom pisanja knjiga o Harryu Potteru.

	

	

	Ulaz na predavanja je besplatan i otvoren za sve te prijave nisu potrebne.

	

	

	

	

	Izrada makete je rezervirana za članove Agram Lego Sekcije. Ukoliko se želite uključiti u izgradnju, javite se za više informacija na ums.agram@gmail.com .

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-18 05:39:50"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-18 20:27:39"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "100"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "2"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(5) "Mario"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(7) "Grgurev"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(5) "mario"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(7) "grgurev"
    ["username"]=>
    string(9) "lepimario"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "11e0b1ecc2c467637dfa513774d2426f3b925264"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2003-01-21 09:02:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2022-01-21 09:02:32"
  }
}

Mario Grgurev, 18th April 2024

AGRAM LEGO SECTION - Second Lecture and Part Two of the Build

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "380"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(3) "100"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(61) "AGRAM LEGO SECTION - Second Lecture and Part Two of the Build"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(58) "AGRAM LEGO SEKCIJA - Drugo predavanje i nastavak izgradnje"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(61) "agram_lego_section_-_second_lecture_and_part_two_of_the_build"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(58) "agram_lego_sekcija_-_drugo_predavanje_i_nastavak_izgradnje"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(2189) "
	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(3697) "
	U srijedu 10.4. u sklopu naše Agram Lego Sekcije nastavili smo sa serijom predavanja o arhitekturi paralelno sa izradom LEGO makete dvorca Hogwarts!

	Predavanje je počelo u 18:00 i trajalo je otprilike sat vremena uz živu diskusiju o sakralnoj arhitekturi srednjeg vijeka.

	

	Ulaz na predavanja je besplatan i otvoren za sve te prijave nisu potrebne.

	

	

	

	

	

	Izrada makete je rezervirana za članove Agram Lego Sekcije. Ukoliko se želite uključiti u izgradnju, javite se za više informacija na ums.agram@gmail.com .

	

	

	

	
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-11 05:46:20"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-11 05:46:20"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "100"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "2"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(5) "Mario"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(7) "Grgurev"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(5) "mario"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(7) "grgurev"
    ["username"]=>
    string(9) "lepimario"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "11e0b1ecc2c467637dfa513774d2426f3b925264"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2003-01-21 09:02:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2022-01-21 09:02:32"
  }
}

Mario Grgurev, 11th April 2024

Streaking Grime Test

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "379"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(3) "102"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(20) "Streaking Grime Test"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(58) "Testiranje efekta prljavštine koja curi (Streaking Grime)"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(20) "streaking_grime_test"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(55) "testiranje_efekta_prljavstine_koja_curi_streaking_grime"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(3337) "
	I’m planning two larger projects at the moment - firstly a diorama involving a slightly converted Mortisan Boneshaper from the Ossiarch Bonereapers Age of Sigmar faction raising a bunch of skeletons from their graves, and secondly my own converted warband for the game Forbidden Psalm. Both projects have in common that I want to do them in a sort of Grimdark aesthetic, and so I decided to play around with Streaking Grime. To make sure I don’t ruin the big projects though, a test is necessary.

	I’ve had this 3D-printed General Grievous (courtesy of Kiki - thanks Kiki) lying around for a while, and it’s a good test model. The fact that it’s 3D-printed is a positive, as the details are less crisp than with Legion or Shatterpoint models. This will put Streaking Grime’s capabilities to the test, and I’ll see if it flows into the somewhat superficial recesses as well as oils or other washes. First I gave the model a few quick base coats, as well as a coat of matte varnish.

	  

	Then I used a cheap synthetic brush to cover the whole model in the Streaking Grime. I left this for 15 minutes.

	  

	Recently I found some nice makeup remover brushes at DM, that doesn’t leave any cotton hair on my model as Q-tips tend to do. So I covered one side of this makeup remover with Enamel Odourless Thinner, and left the other side dry. I started with the dry side, removing the surface layer of Streaking Grime from the top parts of the model. Then I used the side with the thinner to remove more Streaking Grime. Eventually I used the same cheap, synthetic brush dipped in the Odourless thinner, to remove even more Grime from the hard to reach places. After just a few minutes of removing the enamel, I had this:

	  

	I like how the Streaking Grime washes and weathers my model in one coat, and the tint it gives to colours, especially beiges tones, appeal to me. After a few quick, simple edge highlights, I had this result:

	  

	Except for basing and the lightsabers, it’s pretty much finished. All in all this model took me under two hours of painting, and I’ve decided I like the result. I’m going to be using this technique again in my two upcoming projects. Another article with updates on the progress on my Skeleton diorama will follow soon.
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(3324) "
	Trenutačno planiram dva veća projekta - prvo dioramu koja uključuje malo preuređenog Mortisan Boneshaper iz frakcije Ossiarch Bonereapers Age of Sigmar koji podiže hrpu kosture iz njihovih grobova, a kao drugo moj vlastiti preuređen crew za igru Forbidden Psalm. Oba projekta imaju zajedničko to što ih želim raditi u nekoj vrsti Grimdark estetike pa sam odlučio poigrati se sa Streaking Grimeom. Kako bih bio siguran da neću uništiti velike projekte, test je bio neophodan.

	Ovaj 3D isprintani general Grievous (hvala Kiki) ležao je neko vrijeme, stoga je postao dobar testni model. Činjenica da je ispisan 3D je pozitivna, jer su detalji manje oštri nego s modelima Legion ili Shatterpoint. To će dobro testirati metodu sa Streaking Grimea i vidjet ću hoće li se slijevati u udubine kao i ulja ili druga sredstva za pranje. Prvo sam modelu nanio nekoliko brzih temeljnih slojeva, kao i sloj mat laka.

	  

	Zatim sam jeftinim sintetičkim kistom pokrio cijeli model u Streaking Grime. ostavio sam da se suši 15 minuta.

	  

	Nedavno sam u DM-u našao lijepe kistove za skidanje šminke, koji ne ostavljaju dlake od pamuka. a što metoda sa štapićima za uši ima tendenciju učiniti. Stoga sam jednu stranu ovog sredstva za skidanje šminke prekrio Enamel Odourless Thinnerom, a drugu stranu ostavio suhom. Počeo sam sa suhom stranom, uklanjajući površinski sloj Streaking Grime s gornjih dijelova modela. Zatim sam upotrijebio stranu s razrjeđivačem uklanjajući višak Streaking Grime. Na kraju sam upotrijebio isti jeftini, sintetički kist umočen u Odourless Thinner, a uklanjanje još više prljavštine s teško dostupnih mjesta. Nakon samo nekoliko minuta skidanja ovo je bio rezultat:

	  

	Sviđa mi se kako Streaking Grime pere i njeguje moj model u jednom sloju i nijansu koju daje, posebno bež tonovi. Nakon nekoliko brzih, jednostavnih isticanja rubova, dobio sam ovo:

	  

	Osim baze i svjetlosnih mačeva, prilično je gotovo. Sve u svemu ovaj model me oduševio dva sata bojanja i odlučio sam da mi se sviđa rezultat. Ponovno ću koristiti ovu tehniku u moja dva nadolazeća projekta. Još jedan članak s novostima o napretku moje diorame s kosturom slijedi uskoro.
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-06 18:08:45"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-07 17:22:06"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "102"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "2"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(9) "Sebastian"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(8) "Søgård"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(9) "sebastian"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(4) "sgrd"
    ["username"]=>
    string(5) "norge"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "4dea770e7045a97695c7dc529698e85f5dadbded"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2003-01-21 09:03:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2022-01-21 09:03:12"
  }
}

Sebastian Søgård, 6th April 2024

AGRAM LEGO SECTION - First Lecture and Start of the Build

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "378"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(3) "101"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(57) "AGRAM LEGO SECTION - First Lecture and Start of the Build"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(57) "AGRAM LEGO SEKCIJA - Prvo predavanje i početak izgradnje"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(57) "agram_lego_section_-_first_lecture_and_start_of_the_build"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(56) "agram_lego_sekcija_-_prvo_predavanje_i_pocetak_izgradnje"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(2873) "
	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(3853) "
	U srijedu 3.4. u sklopu naše Agram Lego Sekcije započela je serija predavanja o arhitekturi paralelno sa izradom LEGO makete dvorca Hogwarts!

	Predavanja je počelo u 18:00, a iako je bilo predviđeno da traje 45 minuta, u živoj diskusiji se edukacijski dio programa prodljio na 90 minuta.

	

	Ulaz na predavanja je besplatan i otvoren za sve te prijave nisu potrebne.

	

	

	

	

	

	Izrada makete je rezervirana za članove Agram Lego Sekcije. Ukoliko se želite uključiti u izgradnju, javite se za više informacija na ums.agram@gmail.com .

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	Predviđeno trajanje svakog predavanja je 45 minuta.

	03.04. - Arhitektura utvrda srednjeg vijeka, Uroš Brkić, mag.ing.arch.

	10.04. - Sakralna arhitektura srednjeg vijeka, Mario Grgurev, mag.ing.arch.

	17.04. - Hogwarts - dvorac u stvarnosti, Mario Grgurev, mag.ing.arch.

	24.04. - LEGOLAND putopisno predavanje, Marko Paunović, dipl.ing.stroj.
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-04 08:24:10"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2024-04-04 08:24:10"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "101"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "2"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(5) "Uroš"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(6) "Brkić"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(4) "uros"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(5) "brkic"
    ["username"]=>
    string(4) "uros"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "8db6d96d852418a837c55cc4f4adf40eb6a3e19c"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2003-01-21 09:02:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2022-01-21 09:02:51"
  }
}