Use Plexiglass to protect your television screens.
Plexiglass is a clear acrylic plastic, known for its strength and durability. You can buy Plexiglass in panels of almost any dimension or thickness and use it for constructing a variety of projects around your home. Working with Plexiglass requires a few special tools, but these can be found through most plastic or home-remodeling suppliers.
Storage Bins
For this project you need five sheets of Plexiglass. One sheet acts as the bottom and the other four lie on top of it, forming the sides. Use an acrylic cement to bond the Plexiglass pieces. Acrylic cement is a water-like solvent that welds acrylic together, forming strong joints. Allow the cement to cure for 24 hours before using the bin. You can cut the pieces of Plexiglass to the proper dimensions yourself using a circular or saber saw. An important thing to remember when you are cutting Plexiglass for gluing is to adjust the measurements of your pieces to allow for the gauge of the panels. For instance, if you want to make the dimensions of your bin 12 by 12, cut your bottom piece to these exact measurements. If you use quarter-inch thick panels, allow for this thickness when you measure your side pieces. So, subtract a quarter-inch from the height of the other four pieces that lie on top of the bottom piece.
Drawer Organizer
Making a drawer organizer from Plexiglass requires much the same process as building the bin, in that you will bond all sides with acrylic cement. Measure your drawer and determine how many compartments you want. If you wanted a rectangular organizer with three equal-sized compartments, you would need a total of six pieces of Plexiglass. Again, make sure to allow for the panels' gauges when you figure the dimensions for your cuts.
Picture Frames
Making a Plexiglass picture frame requires heat bending. This is done with a long thin heating mechanism called a line bender. Apply heat to the areas of the panel you want to bend, softening the Plexiglass until it becomes malleable. You will need to bend the panel twice for a picture frame. After cutting the panel to your desired dimensions, make an "L" bend at the bottom, which acts as a stand for the frame. Then, bend a section of the top into a "U" bend, creating the sleeve for the picture.
Protective Screens
Make a protective screen for TVs and computers using a heat bender. Measure the width, height and depth of your screen and cut the panel to those dimensions. Make sure to leave the panel wide enough to allow for a backward "L" bend over the top of your screen. For example, if your TV is five inches deep and thirty-six inches wide, cut your panel forty-one inches wide. Then, mark off five inches from the end of your panel. This spot is where you will apply heat to form your "L" bend, which will slide over the top of the TV. Use a Velcro or adhesive strip along the edge of the bend for added support.
