Plexi Glass Nintendo Wii Stand
Votes: 264So I started with a problem: The supplied Nintendo Wii stand would not fit under my TV. However I then realized I had another problem: My games and controllers are a mess. Now understand I'm lazy, so I knew the only way I would keep it oganized was if I built something myself. So below is my messy Nintendo Wii space.
The Drawing
Yes this was an after thought for this Article, and not on topic at all, but I hope it helps. I measured all from the same side, when plexi gets hot, it stretches, so I figured it would all work out, YMMV.
Tools and Supplies Required
- Sheet of .25" Plexi - usually a 2'x4' works well enough, then you can make other fun stuff later
- Dremel - For "melt-cutting" the spots for the Wii-Motes
- Plexi Cutter - it's so cheap and very handy.
- Gas Torche,(no flashlights you Red Coats) - I used a $10 job from Ace Hardware, a butane pen style one, a small targeted flame is important.
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Marker - for drawing a fun face on your own face.
- Some sort of object to check for "squareness", and not your little brother. I found an old PSU case worked well.
- A vice helps as well, although not requred, however softjaws are required in the event you feel a vice is required. How's that for red tape.
- Metal / Wood File
Step 1 - Get some Plexi and Measure
Now measure again, I have a habbit of cutting twice and measing more, this project was no different. I measured my cubby hole to be 8" tall or so, the Wii was something like 2" tall, so I went for a target height of 5.5" on the stand. 5.5" + 2" < 8" so far so good. Now for any noobs to Plexi, I recommend .25" stuff (yes I'm boycotting fractions) I find it's more forgiving. I also left that .5" of tolerence for any mistakes in measuring as the Plexi is .25". So measure out the lines of the proposed bends, I made mine something like 7" deep if I remember, enough to fit the Wii on.
Step 2 - Make a cut
No ladies are watching and you win 0 points for screwing this up, go slow, with light pressure to make the inital groove, use a stright edge as well. Progressivly use more and more pressure, I keep pulling material off until I can't anymore, within reason. Now the moment of truth "Will it break?" Well yes it will break, but break nicely? I use the edge of a table to help, then push down on one side, with the side you cut facing up. With any luck you'll hear a loud bang and have 2 peices of plexi. Cut the blue junk from the other side, and be done with the other peice for now. Now also mark ever so slightly on your horizontal lines, with the Plexi cutter, the blue stuff will need to come off as you bend it. and you need to see your marks.
Step 3 - Make some bends
Ok first off, PRACTICE FIRST!!!! too much heat too fast will cause bubles, who likes bubbly Plexi? Certianly not your mother, girlfriend or wife. I have a bunch of scap, but cut a peice off of the scraps or whatever.. practice heating it and making bends.
Heating slowly is key, it allows the innards of the plexi to become soft, not jsut the surface. I spend about 5-10 minutes heating a bend, using back and forth motions following the line.
Tip: if you get little bubles, try gowing back over the area very fast and from a greater distance, sometimes it will close back up, YMMV. You made big bubbles, sorry, SOL there.
Here is my practice peice, I also use it for practice for the Wii holes.
Leave the blue stuff on as long as possible. As you heat the line, watch the angle of the plexi, as it heats it will expand and make it start to bend for you! Give it a try every now and again, once it moves with 5-10 lb's of pressure go for it, it won't shatter at this point. Make the bend, and hold it in place until it cools enough to hold the shape. Rinse and repeat.
Step 4 - Make a final cut
I save my last cut until the end, so I can level it then, hey this isn't a science.
Step 5 - Make some Wii-mote holes
I made little cardboard cutouts of the wii-mote base, and then just cut that shape out, using my Dremel with a cut-off wheel, it basicly melts the stuff. Now don't worry as it will junk up that arear, focus on making good clean lines, the melted plastic chips away leaving no marks.
Step 6 - Finish it up
Now with you skills with a torch, "glaze" the ends to make it look finished, and make your Mom, girlfriend or wife really happy. Have fun with this, if you get problem areas, use osme fine sandpaper on it and try again.
Step 7 - Clean it up
Now show this sucker off, isn't it a thing of beauty. Makes a great Valentine gift for the true woman in your life who has everthing.
The Pay off
WOW! With little more than $30 / 2 hours time, my wife had the house to herself, I got to play with my tools (no jokes), and we both got a sweet Wii Plexi Stand that would make anyone want to put away the Wii - Accessories
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