A Question About Tubs...

I was thinking about purchasing an appropriate sized tub from walmart and cutting the front section out sort of like a rectangular hole in the tub then using a soldering iron to attach a section of lexan or plexiglass so the front would be transparent and the rest of the tub could be a fairly dark color. Has anyone tried anything like this? It sounds like it would work lol.

Give it a try!

I have played around with that idea a few times. I bought the dark blue colored tubs, cut out a sopt, and used rivits to attach the lexan to the tub.

But make sure you rivit from the inside, not the outside. So the sharp edges from the end of the rivit are out, and not inide, and doesn't harm the snake.

awesome! did you try melting the two plastics together? My b/f works with autobody molding so he said he would try but didnt know how well they would adhere to each other.

It might be easier to get a transparent tub and paint all but the "window" black.

How were you planning on attaching the plexiglas with a soldering iron? I think you'd have better luck drilling holes in both, and attaching it with either zip-ties or maybe weaving heavy test fishing line through it.

I dont know! lol my boyfriend is the mastermind lol, he said the material we have would melt easily but he didnt know if it would melt into the plastic of the tub.

Although the rivets or zipties sound very smart as well to try.

I honestly think you'd destroy the tub before the plexiglas started to melt.

How about you make a small window with a wood frame, and attach that? You'd have a much easier time attaching it, and it would look pretty sharp.

that would indeed! see this is why i love brainstorming:)

I tried melting the two together, didn't work...

The tub deformed too much with the heat, and the tub melted down before the lexan was sticky enough to bond.

You might be able to try chemical welding. It's a special glue, sort of like super glue, but more wattery, ALOT more adhesive value, and with a super strong smell.

Not sure where your going to get the stuff though.

But the rivits were the best way I tried without head ache.

Given the constant heat & humidity present in the tub, I would be hesitant to trust any adhesive.

yah I would think any adhesive would be smart to avoid, i like the rivets:)

I have a friend that uses car window tint. It holds up with the heat well.

that could also work well. Thanx for all the tips everyone!

caulking would work, also a silicon adhesive would work....we use both where I work and they adhere plastic to plastic very well.

The tint idea sounds the best and most clean looking IMO. Just pick up some 3% tint from a local shop.

Or...you could just get a clear tub and offer appropriately sized hides for security. :)