Lucite VS. Acrylic

So what is the difference between Lucite and acrylic?

It's simple: Lucite is a brand of acrylic, that's it. Just like Plexiglas, Perspex, Policril, Gavrieli, Vitroflex, Limacryl, R-Cast, Per-Clax, Plazcryl, Acrylex, Acrylite, Acrylplast, Altuglas, Polycast, Oroglass, Optix - they are all brands of acrylic.

Bulletproof glass however is something different, it's polycarbonate.

Anyways, the real reason I love seeing things made of acrylic (even polycarbonate, like at banks) is, in general, they are being held with fasteners and I like that you can see right through the material to see exactly how the fasteners are assembled.

Cracking Nuts

People are putting those Lucite/Acrylic fasteners to good use! We found a Lucite/acrylic nut cracker that utilizes a large screw which goes up and down to put pressure on that tough nut that needs cracking...I feel like a proud parent watching their kid play ball that says, "That's my boy." because when I look at it I feel like saying, "That's my product."

Buy it on ETSY for $20.

Acrylic Fasteners

Did you know you can buy acrylic fasteners? YOU CAN!

The ones in the photo come from a place in Singapore.

You can buy this online.

Does anyone know the difference between lucite, acrylic & plexiglass? 

I do but I'm going to wait to tell you next time!

Vintage Lucite Paperweights

I'm not really sure why but Lucite or acrylic paperweights filled with fasteners became very popular in the 60's & 70's...I wish I could have found some historical context but I didn't. Despite that acrylic or Lucite is clear many of them have turned yellow from age - have a look.

Here are a few we found online and then of course, last but not least, our very own at the bottom.

For Sale at Ebay.com

For Sale at Mecox.com

Another one for Sale at Ebay.com

For Sale at BigAshtry.com

Even toilets seats! 

For sale at the Unfinished Man

And this one is ours!

Ours has been moved around and fondled over the years so there are a lot of scratch marks and scuffs on it BUT WE LOVE IT.