Acrylic fabrication questions? I can help!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12785174#post12785174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Acrylics
I'd use 1/2" with the eurbrace, a 3" eurobrace will be sufficient and insure the structural integrity of the tank for a long time if you do your job right :)
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Thanks James, very helpful!

If I bring the height down to 16" and run baffles front to back close to the middle can I safely do away with eurobracing? What is the "rule of thumb" for thickness vs height vs width?
 
Ok, I tried to read this entire thread, but frankly.. its LONG. :-)

I have a sump I am making, it is 12 x 15 x 15 ( L x W x H ). I am using 1/4" Extruded (just found out this is apparently bad to use??). It has the blue film on it.

Anyways.. I read in a few about pinning or using wires when you are gluing. I watched a few videos on how to glue acrylic and thought it looked fairly simple. Now I am not so sure I get it.

Can anyone help explain how I glue this sucker together? I was planning on using Weldon #4 only. No top brace either, as it does have a lot of chambers, baffles..

HELP! :-) I feel I may have made a expensive mistake with the extruded.

thanks in advance!
 
I am thinking of making a nano type column tank using 12" cast acrylic tube. What thickness would be needed for a tank that is 30" tall? I have found it in wall thickness from 1/4 to 3/8. Any tips?
 
That's what I thought. That smaller would be fine, considering it is a single molded section, it should have very high strength. Bowing is not a problem either ;) Thanks for the replies.
 
ACRSCH0375QM appears to be the 3/8" Acrylite GP or maybe the Plexiglas G. I do not like how they write this up though, as if you'll get one or the other - ask them to be certain which you'll be getting and do not allow any other substitutions, only these two brands on this list. Also check to see if it's actually 9.5mm/.375", I sincerely doubt it even if the salesman says so. It's most likely going to be 9mm/.354" if it matters to you as both companies went metric for light duty materials many years ago. (hope this makes sense)

HTH,
James
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12827740#post12827740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Acrylics
ACRSCH0375QM appears to be the 3/8" Acrylite GP or maybe the Plexiglas G. I do not like how they write this up though, as if you'll get one or the other - ask them to be certain which you'll be getting and do not allow any other substitutions, only these two brands on this list. Also check to see if it's actually 9.5mm/.375", I sincerely doubt it even if the salesman says so. It's most likely going to be 9mm/.354" if it matters to you as both companies went metric for light duty materials many years ago. (hope this makes sense)
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Yes, that makes sense. It wouldn't matter to me if it was only 9mm instead of 9.5mm.

So after talking to the sales rep, I have a choice of Cyro or Arcoma. (isn't Arcoma Plexiglas?) Cyro is only $35 more a sheet for 1/2" but they don't stock any at the Cincinnati location. I'd have to pay the flat freight fee of $110 to have it shipped from Pittsburg. If I spread that cost over 4-6 sheets, it isn't bad but I wasn't looking at buying that much right now. Is Arcoma a reputable brand or do I have to worry about the quality of that product? (like you mentioned in a previous post) I am going to call some other distributors to see if they have Cyro in stock but I thought I'd get your feedback on Arcoma.

TIA!

--Ed
 
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Hi Ed,

If they mean "Arkema" rather than Arcoma, then yes - it's pretty good (Arkema owns Altuglas - the makers of Plexiglas.)
Arcoma is a Saudi company that may or may not be into acrylic now but they are not the owners of Plexiglas (as far as I know anyway).

Personally, I'd be fine with the Plexiglas G (Arkema material)

Also ask around to see if anyone has Polycast - my personal material of choice.

BTW, if they say anything differing from the above, please please let me know. I try to stay on top of my industry :)

HTH,
James
 
hey acrylics when it comes down to 1/8 of inch plexi glass(arcylic) smal sheet im using for temp cover for tank 24" by 18" and i wanna cut it make notches and take of 2 inches etc i tried aviation snips u know the same snips they use to cut metal drywall studs it just cracks n chips i wanna do straight cuts i use a skill saw?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12834456#post12834456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Acrylics
Hi Ed,

If they mean "Arkema" rather than Arcoma, then yes - it's pretty good (Arkema owns Altuglas - the makers of Plexiglas.)
Arcoma is a Saudi company that may or may not be into acrylic now but they are not the owners of Plexiglas (as far as I know anyway).

Personally, I'd be fine with the Plexiglas G (Arkema material)

Also ask around to see if anyone has Polycast - my personal material of choice.

BTW, if they say anything differing from the above, please please let me know. I try to stay on top of my industry :)

HTH,
James
Click to expand...
James,
Yes, they were saying "Arkema" - I just can't spell! :) I did ask if they could get Polycast and they can, but it's 30% more than Arkema. Since you are fine with Plexiglas G, that's what I am going to go with since I am new to this and want to balance cost with the fact that it's my first time. I am going to go with 1/2" since it's only $30 more for a sheet.

Thanks again for all your help.

--Ed
 
por2stylz,

Skilsaws are useable, just not the ideal way. Get a high tooth count blade, one used for Formica or countertops like Corian would be best.


Ed,

Anytime, good luck with your project :)

James
 
Do you drill for a bulkhead before you put everything together or do you do it after? Does it make any difference? I am working with 1/4" extruded.

Thanks!
 
I have never worked with acrylic, but am trying to figure out how to get a 96 x60x26tall tank into my basement and someone suggested that I get the mfg to ship the pre cut pieces and I just glue it together myself....I am a little concerned that this is beyond DIY considering how much water we are talking about. Would you agree or am I just overly cautious
 
I would want to know if used acrylic extruded or the strained ( pressed sheets ). I clearly do not have the system that used for to glue, someone explains to me?

Thanks!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12890723#post12890723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by huskerreef
I have never worked with acrylic, but am trying to figure out how to get a 96 x60x26tall tank into my basement and someone suggested that I get the mfg to ship the pre cut pieces and I just glue it together myself....I am a little concerned that this is beyond DIY considering how much water we are talking about. Would you agree or am I just overly cautious
Click to expand...
Jim I agree with you 100% This is not a project for someone that has not worked with acrylic before. I am guessing from the dimensions you listed this is probably 3/4" or preferably 1" thick acrylic with a full top. That is a lot of acrylic glueing for someone that has not built that many tanks. thats also a lot of water for an acrylic box to be holding, The box is only a good as the seams holding it together. I take it you can not set the tank on its front or back (the 26" dimension) and get it down the stairs!! Just my .02. HTH. Regards.
 
man.... 96x60x26.... thats freakin huge!

I've made several smaller acrylic tanks (none larger than 50g) and I can tell you that the thought of making a 96x60x26 tank definitely intimidates the hell out of me, so I don't blame you!!

I cant even imagine carrying that tank on its side, but maybe its possible :lol:


Any walls that you could temporarily cut a giant hole in???? Or maybe a nice new superwide window :)
 
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