i have decided to go 15" for my first build, i am considering the Acer AL1516AB i have not purchased it yet so i do not know the he measurements of it once stripped, i would consider other LCDs aswell, i just kinda need a list of measurements of some good 15" LCD monitors once stripped so i can start detailed drawings and plans for my projector(i plan to build it with an aluminum frame and cover it with plastic to cut down on weight)

please let me know what LCD monitor you would recommend and their striped down measurements

thank you in advance, i plan to be ordering everything next week so i really need to get my plans finished soon(or if nothing else i could make the frame slighty oversized and just make it work, at least that way i could use different lcds later down the line)

Average size of 15" 4:3 ratio is around 10x13 more or less
But I think you answered your own question with building it oversized
I would build it 12.5x 15 internal demensions gives more room for ballast and power supplies for LCD and fans.

I have got a magnavox HDTV ready monitor that I am planning on using for a outdoor PJ with a bessler18" triplet. I have not stripped it yet but plan on doing it this coming winter. Good luck on your project

Pretty sure that lcd monitors have 5:4 aspect. Or at least thats what I always thought.

Actually, I think the only common resolution in LCDs that is 5:4 is for 1280x1024.
Aspect ratio depends upon the resolution. Some examples:
640x480=4:3
768x576=4:3
800x600=4:3
854x480=16:9
1024x768=4:3
1280x720=16:9
1280x768=16:9.6
1280x800=16:10
1280x960=4:3
1280x1024=5:4
1920x1080=16:9
1920x1200=16:10