Can anyone help me cut some acrylic later this week?

[84chris]

I have a 40breeder i am turning into my new sump, and i am going to buy some scrap acrylic to cut for my baffles. The blade is really expensive to buy and i was wondering if anyone could help me out?

 

[plantankerously]

Why not use glass? Lowes will cut to size, although their glass is pretty thin. I went to a True Value and they had double thick glass and then I used a dremel with a diamond bit to cut my baffles. I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[itZme]

you don't really need a special blade. you also won't like acrylic baffles on your glass tank. easier solution would be to order some glass cut to size.

 

[84chris]

I have acrylic baffles in my glass sump right now. Just siliconed them in about a year ago and theyve been fine. Im just figuring glass is going to be way more expensive. Can i just use a regular saw blade on my tablesaw to cut it? It doesnt have to look good, just be straight.

 

[deepbluesc]

The trick to cutting materials that tend to splinter, chip, or the like is to adjust the blade so that it just gets through the material. Maybe 1/64" or 1/32" deeper than the thickness of the material. You do not need a special blade, but I do recommend a known good sharp or new blade.

Second, keep the material moving through the blade (or vice versa) at a steady pace allowing the blade to do the work, but not stopping in the middle of the cut. Another trick is to put duct tape over the areas you're cutting. It can make a big difference.

Also, if there is a face and a back to the material (like coated paneling, etc) cut so that the blade comes up through the face and down through the back.

 

[markviiisvt4]

I cut mine with a plain old circular hand saw and a straight edge. I dont' rember how many teeth but it for sure wasnt the finest blade you could get.