Acrylic Fabrication Q & A

[TherealplexiG]

I don't see what is special about this flashlight...I can see the exact same thing with a high power LED flashlight that I got at my local Ace hardware...?

Maybe! I am not too sure with it after your comment and watching its youtube review.

 

[imustbenuts]

Wanted to say thank you to @Floyd R Turbo and @Lowell Lemon for there input on my build. Thanks to them and this thread I was able to complete my first acrylic project.

 

[TaylorPilot]

Wow, looks awesome!

 

[TherealplexiG]

Nusty's stand is more awesome.

Wow, looks awesome!

 

[TherealplexiG]

I just bought grit 600, 800,1000,1200,1500&2000, 25 sheets each for under 30 USD.

EDIT: Wet/Dry sheet size: 11" x 9"

 

[TherealplexiG]

Any specific micro fiber cloth required to wipe on the acrylic?

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

Not really, I got a 10 pack of orange 8x8 microfiber cloths from Target like 5 years ago, as long as they are well rinsed before you wipe, it'll do. What you don't want to do is use a cloth that has any acrylic shavings stuck to it. So in that respect, it's actually better to use white cotton t-shirt material.

When I "wipe" the sanding residue away, it's more like squeezing a sopping wet cloth on it to rinse the stuff away. When I'm done sanding a tank, the floor is usually several puddles of standing water.

 

[TherealplexiG]

Not really, I got a 10 pack of orange 8x8 microfiber cloths from Target like 5 years ago,

So could we wash it or dry it and use it again?
also got the sanding clip on block you had mentioned. This is going crazy but gonna turn out sweet. Will look for chemicals and acrylic will be delivered next week. I have dichloromethylene and glacial acetic acid, will look for the other one. Forgot the name though! have jotted down in my notebook.
Glacial acetic acid is what to be used right? Got a few dead brain cells here doing all the crazy stuff..
Also will get a polisher and those buffing pads, and yeah! compounds too..
Have ordered acrylic for a sump build. Thanks for everything..

 

[imustbenuts]

I just bought grit 600, 800,1000,1200,1500&2000, 25 sheets each for under 30 USD.

EDIT: Wet/Dry sheet size: 11" x 9"

Yikes, you are serious about this. Haha! Yeah, I didn't do all that. I used 400, 1000,2000, plastic polish compound with buffing wheel on drill and cut up old t-shirts for rags. Turned out good enough for me and that's saying a lot since I tend to be a perfectionist when doing projects.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

Glacial acetic acid is what to be used right?

Correct! 5%, maybe 7%

 

[cromag27]

Worked great, no more masking tape! I'll take some photos on my next build.

@cromag08
Did you try that fancy tool for edge sanding?
How is it working for ya?

 

[TherealplexiG]

What about crosslinked sheets, can those be solvent welded?

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Wanted to say thank you to @Floyd R Turbo and @Lowell Lemon for there input on my build. Thanks to them and this thread I was able to complete my first acrylic project.

Well done! Well done indeed! My first effort was not that nice.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

What about crosslinked sheets, can those be solvent welded?

Crosslinked sheets are a no go with the solvent method. You will have voids and a week bond. Weldon #35 is the only off the shelf product that I have used to bond Crosslinked to itself and other acrylics. I am sure there are other methods but I did use Weldon #35 for years in acrylic stands made out of Crosslinked bonded to regular cell cast tops and bottom sheets. Still have a stand in my house is over 20 years old so it must work! Lol.

 

[TherealplexiG]

@Lowell Lemon
Thanks for chiming in, you saved me alot of $, i had placed an order for crosslinked sheets which i will def cancel..

 

[TherealplexiG]

@Lowell Lemon
What is your firm's name?

 

[Lowell Lemon]

@Lowell Lemon
What is your firm's name?

Tricon Technology Inc. Not currently marketing to the Pet Industry.

 

[TherealplexiG]

@Lowell Lemon
Sir,
What about use of diacetone alcohol and mma resin added in the mix recommended by James and Turbo.

 

[West1]

Is Lucite reef safe?
I emailed a local plastic company and asked for Arkema or Altuglas. They said they do not carry this brand but have Lucite.
I know acrylic is like wood and has different types for different use. What key words/ingredients am I looking for when purchasing acrylic for reef build?
Also is weld-on#40 good for a 16"x16"x16" sump build@ 1/4 thick sheets?

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

Any acrylic is generally "reef safe" meaning it's not going to leech anything bad into the tank/water. Now whether it is decent enough for building a pressure vessel out of, that is the real question. But if you're not using it for that, game on.

WO16 is only good for a handful of purposes and should never be used when building anything that needs to hold water.