Friday, April 3, 2015

Citadel Tower Windows

I decided not to make the windows for the tower glass block.  I thought it would be too difficult to stack pieces of plexiglass to make windows and too expensive to buy miniature glass blocks, so I thought I would try bending some plexiglass in a curve to fit the tower.


I started by cutting out two tall windows in the tower piece.


 Then I cut a piece if 1/4 inch plexiglass the height of the window space.  I tried both 1/4" and 3/32" thick.  The 3/32 was much easier to bend but I thought trimming out the 1/4" would be much easier to trim once the windows are in place since the walls of the tower are also 1/4" thick.  I placed the plexi on a baking sheet raised with a couple of wood blocks.  I raised it because as the plexi gets soft it can get marred if it touches the baking sheet.



I heated the plexi at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.  You know if the plexiglass is getting soft when it starts to droop in the center. Yes, I know my oven is filthy. ;-)

Then I used my husband's fishing rod case to shape the heated plexiglass.  I used this because it's the same diameter as the inside of the tower walls. 

I trimmed the width so they would fit and painted the inside of the window cut outs silver. The top window is a bit too short, but I think I can cover that with trim.  After several tries to get the curve correct I really don't want to remake it.  I think I like the large windows better than the glass block idea.


I also nearly have the Shapeways contest entry finished.  Thank goodness for a couple of nice days and some spray paint!

6 comments:

  1. Those curved windows are so cool! Thanks for showing how to make them!

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  2. That is some pretty inventive window making! I love how all you needed was your kitchen oven! The large windows look very nice and I like how you can clearly see inside. I'm sure getting that curve right took some trial and error :)

    Your Shapeways scene...oh my goodness how fabulous! The colour of the light green chairs is so gorgeous! The yellow looks almost pastel in the photos too. like the way the laser cut piece you switched in fits the whole scene as well... it's looking like something straight out of a design magazine. Can't wait to see it all done! :D

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  3. Yes!! I agree this came out beautifully. And I like the look of the long window vs the glass. What can I say...just wow! And the deck is looking good too...

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  4. You've done a great job curving the acrylic. I know how hard it is to get it right but you've done it. It's a fab addition to the front of the building =0)

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  5. At first I thought 'You're putting a kitchen in your tower?!' and then it gradually dawned on me that you're working in your real (and super-clean) kitchen...

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  6. I love curved windows! Would never have thought to try that in miniature, great to see how you did it too, now I want a curved window too :D The deck looks fantastic too.

    P.s. My oven looked not unlike that last week. Ugh to real housework :D

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