Working with Acrylic

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by gamma, Jun 19, 2004.

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  1. gamma

    gamma Spaghetti Worm

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    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?
     
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  3. fletch

    fletch Kole Tang

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  4. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    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
     
  5. gamma

    gamma Spaghetti Worm

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    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?
     
  6. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    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
     
  7. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    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.
     
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  9. dx7fd2

    dx7fd2 Sea Dragon

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    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. 8)
     
  10. dx7fd2

    dx7fd2 Sea Dragon

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    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.