Acrylic cutting tolerances

I'm thinking about building a custom sump for my new 180 build, and was wondering what kind of tolerances I'd need on my cuts.

I have a decent full sized Delta 10" table saw, but it's not brand new, and the fence is prone to a little bit of slipping. I also have a small router table, and can rig a jig for long straight/square cuts, but it's much more difficult to set up.

Since acrylic is flexible I am hoping it will have a little give. I know when I make acrylic artwork I get good seams and all, but they're hanging art, not water containers.

Alternately, are there any plastics suppliers anyone here has used they can recommend for quality cuts and tight tolerances for not too much money?

Thanks for all the help so far guys!

-Doug

 

You know how to work with acrylic ? as for tolerances ? its just like making a wood box you start off square and keep it square and then it comes out square . Just measure 3 times and cut once sand the edges with a really fine 180 grit paper then wipe it all down with denatured alcohol and weld it up maybe need to make some thinner stiff to wick up into a lose seam ? Just acrylic weld and acetone and a syringe needle oh and you need about 4 cabinet top clamps

 

Just make your cuts with your jig and keep the jig rock solid you should have no problems. Good luck and keep us to date please. You know the pic thing.:;D

 

Tangster, I've made quite a bit of acrylic sculptures, just never done anything that needs to hold water or pressure. You suggested denatured alcohol, but I was taught that alcohol weakens acrylic (makes it brittle) so always washed with slightly soapy water and Novus 1, a special cleaner made for acrylic.

As for the comparing it to wood, that's why I posted. With wood I can get away with 1/64" off square on a long cut, can the same be said of acrylic where the seams are connected by a solvent instead of a mechanical connection (screws)?

Probably the best I can cut would be 1/128" off, that enough?

 

1/128 is fine enough 316 weld is thick and there are thicker welds as well as thinner I just make my 316 thinner and for the alcohol , Its denatured and will have no effect on the acrylic . I've used it for yrs and yr soap tends to leave a scum layer/flim and its hard to toally remove it . But what ever works for you I'd stick with . Just sand the edges as flat and square as you can and if you have both sids touching and its a solid snug fit then its fine Just clamp every joint and keep warm well room temps anyways .