Working with Acrylic

gamma · 06-19-2004, 08:18 PM

Anyone know of a good source on working with acrylic? I'm looking to design a sump and wanted to read up on working with acrylic?

fletch · 06-20-2004, 03:46 PM

Try This Web site GaMmA

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_acrylic.php

.......................................... John

Jason McKenzie · 06-20-2004, 05:10 PM

I just built a new sump out of Acrylic. I made it larger than it was possible to put in the stand after it was complete so I built the whole think under the stand if you have any questions is fresh in my mind.

I used 3/8 acrylic
ordered it pre cut so I didn't have to worry about it
Was very specific about my cuts (sent a blue print)
used Weldon 40 to glue pieces together
used silicone to fix the baffles

Jason

gamma · 06-20-2004, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the link.

Jason - did you order your acrylic online or from a local source and if I may ask how much did you pay?

I have a bunch of questions:

Have you done any bending of the acrylic?

I know you had your acrylic pre-cut, but did you have to do any other cutting or drilling and if so, what did you use?

Jason McKenzie · 06-21-2004, 03:26 AM

I didn't have to do any cutting of my own. I have since built and overflow box that I cut and drilled. I used a local shops acrylic blade on a table saw and a regular hole bit on a hand drill.
As for bending no I have never even tried.

I ordered the Acrylic from a local plastics shop. I have to by a 4X8 sheet but only really needed half of it. So I found a buddy that wanted the other half. the full sheet of 3/8 acrylic cost me $280.00 CAN.

J

Matt Rogers · 06-21-2004, 05:39 AM

I've seen sheets of acrylic at home depot for pretty cheap. But what they had left wasn't very thick. Not sure if they carry thick stuff, but may be worth a look.

dx7fd2 · 06-21-2004, 05:42 AM

Here's a pretty good site for working with acrylics!

http://www.melevsreef.com/

I just finished my sump/refugium using a 20gal aquarium. All I had to do was the baffles which I used 1/8inch "GE acrylite" from Home Depot. I used a hole saw and hand tools. The acrylite can be scored and popped along the score line for a very clean break. It is not thick enough for the whole sump obviously, I would suggest 1/4".

If you have some local plastics places check there first because they might have pieces that you can get that will forgo the expense of buying full sheets.

dx7fd2 · 06-21-2004, 05:52 AM

As far as cutting and drilling, Plasdrills are great (USPlastics). You can get blades for table saws that are specially designed for plastic sheeting.

I have yet to bend any plastic, yet but I will be starting an overflow box this weekend that will need to be bent and I will let you know. Apparently, you can use a very good heat gun, or what I am going to attempt, using a torch. My best suggestion for doing everything with plastic is go very slow and patiently. So far I have succeeded without breaking anything.

Read everything here at 3reef under DIY. There are a few threads just about plumbing refugiums that have diagrams and questions along these same lines.