Replies

1. 
   mudman | May 05, 2006 06:09pm | #1

   I've spaned 36" with 3/8" glass with no issues. The glass was hand made fused art glass, so it was not tempered but very well annealled. For your apllication tempered glass will likely be better, though more costly. Call your local glass companies and ask if they do structual glass showers and the like. If they are famuliar with that kind of work they will be able to advise you on what you need.

   Mike

1. 
   SenorDorado | May 05, 2006 07:53pm | #2

   I've been in contact with local glass companies and haven't gotten satisfactory results. One guy is an alcholic and can't be trusted and others put me on hold or take my number and wont call back. It's beyond me how they expect to run a business.

   Thanks

   Senor Dorado

1. 
   mudman | May 06, 2006 07:26pm | #5

   Like I said look in the yellow pages for a company that does structural (frameless) glass showers. These guys will be used to working with your type of situation.

   Mike

1. 
   larrywoods | May 07, 2006 01:55am | #6

   I installed 39 X 12  3/8 thick glass shelf in a bath room about a year ago.   No problems yet.   Also built a medicine cabinet with glass shelfs .. allbeit they are small ... 4 X36, 1/4 inch.   Also had built for me a glass kitchen table top about 36X48, 3/8 inch thick.  The family eats on this daily and the kids beat on it as kids do while leaning on it with all their weight.  It is supported at four points only (about 1/2 inch dia bearing surface).  No problems after several years of service.

   Have worked with three glass companies on these projects.  ALL of them advised me shelfs and table tops should be annealed glass ... NOT tempered.   The problem with tempered is a hard knock on the edge may shatter the entire piece of glass.   If annealed, a hard knock on the edge will only chip the piece and they tell me annealed is tougher  ( it yields a bit).    My experience is they are correct.   Just a couple of opions... it is your decision.

   Larrywoods

    

1. 
   mudman | May 07, 2006 05:43am | #7

   I think that you intended your reply for the origional poster. However I do find your statements interesting. What you say about tempered vs. anealed glass (really all glass is anealed) makes a lot of sense. Chips are a lot better the a million little pieces of glass. My wife is a glass artist and her focus is on fusing. She can get a little more strength out of table tops and shelves by using longer (more conservative) aneal times.

   Thanks,

   Mike

2. 
   JohnWW | May 05, 2006 11:00pm | #3

   !/4 inch thick is definitely too thin, and 3/8 inch may or may not be adequate, depending on the load being carried, this is for tempered glass which is stiffer and safer if it fails.  If I can track down a source for designing glass shelves I'll post it.

   The weight difference between glass and wood shelves shouldn't be so great that you need an especially strengthened lower cabinet.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

1. 
   SenorDorado | May 05, 2006 11:32pm | #4

   Thanks John, I'll keep my eye on the message board.

     Senor Dorado

3. 
   eddiefromAustralia | May 07, 2006 08:20am | #8

   Mr Gold,

   Try these links - should give you some guidance, but I'd go with the shop's recommendation:

   http://www.aaamsa.co.za/Documents/PDF/Selection%20Guide%20for%20Glass%20in%20Furniture%20New.pdf

   http://www.aaamsa.co.za/Documents/PDF/Breaking%20Glass%20-%20Avoid%20Litigation.pdf

   http://www.store.novadisplay.com/Products/Shelves_PROD/SPECS/Glass_Loads.PDF

   http://www.pilkington.com/resources/glassandsafety.pdf (about p26 or so)

   Cheers,

   eddie

4. 
   Cork in Chicago | May 07, 2006 07:05pm | #9

   Hey SenorDorado,

   I do design work for a company doing high end interior fixtures for stores and offices and also commercial woodwork.

   Lately some of our customers have been switching from glass to Plexiglass-specifically Plex-95. A Google would give you specs for it. The material can be worked well, including radius on the corners, and drilled for "finish" attachment devices. It comes out looking real nice.

   Anyway-that's just another idea that may work, and here is a .pdf file showing a design we are presently doing a mockup on for a costumer who has a chain of "maternity" stores and spa's. It's a hostess stand or podium at the entrance of the spa. A phone and appointment book go on the podium and the whole podium mounts to the existing cabinets we had previously made for all their stores. 

   Gotta go-have a good one,

   Cork in Chicago