I don't think you would want to do that on anything other than a tiny piece. I like to see the solvent squish evenly out both sides of the piece of acrylic. I would asume if you angled it in the solvent would not be thick enough on one side... besides you would need at least another person if not 2 to do it that way. Pins, you can do a pretty large tank alone.
DIY- "Pins" method of gluing acrylic.
- Thread starter Zephrant
- Start date
NorthernCF
Premium Member
I learned a lot at an acrylic class today.
Its probably been covered and I missed it, but making sure the pins are about halfway in is key to getting the glue go around the pin. Another thing he did was stay behind the glue as it wicks in. For some reason I thought you should stay ahead of the glue and let the wicking catch up with you.
HTH
Its probably been covered and I missed it, but making sure the pins are about halfway in is key to getting the glue go around the pin. Another thing he did was stay behind the glue as it wicks in. For some reason I thought you should stay ahead of the glue and let the wicking catch up with you.
HTH
NorthernCF
Premium Member
Local acrilic dude. I know he is on RC, but don't know his handle. Don't you hate it when people use different handles and switch around names ;p hehe
NorthernCF
Premium Member
LOL
RC - NorthernCF formerly Adrinal (old MMORG handle)
HFG on TRT
But, JNS just calls me, "just another coral junkie".
RC - NorthernCF formerly Adrinal (old MMORG handle)
HFG on TRT
But, JNS just calls me, "just another coral junkie".
NorthernCF
Premium Member
:strooper:
Thanks for great info and the tips. I am planning to build prop tank 48ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ÂL 30ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ÂW 14ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ÂH out of Ã"šÃ‚¼Ã¢â"šÂ¬Ã‚ acrylic. I am not sure will Ã"šÃ‚¼Ã¢â"šÂ¬Ã‚ be sufficient so any help would be great.
I have built few skimmers and kalk reactors so I am familiar with pin method. Gluing sides of the tank would be quite easy to do but bottom and top is something I see problem doing. Recommendation here is to let solvent soak for 30 seconds or so before puling pins out but applying solvent on 156ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ long joint might take longer than that. I am quite interested in how you manage similar task?
I have built few skimmers and kalk reactors so I am familiar with pin method. Gluing sides of the tank would be quite easy to do but bottom and top is something I see problem doing. Recommendation here is to let solvent soak for 30 seconds or so before puling pins out but applying solvent on 156ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ long joint might take longer than that. I am quite interested in how you manage similar task?
NorthernCF
Premium Member
30 seconds would be sufficiant. I would use 1/2" for this project.
gbr
Premium Member
I built my grow-out tanks out of 1/4" Plexi and they are solid at 48" X 24" X 12". I don't think the 2" extra height will cause any significant extra stress. They are top braced with about 2 1/2" "euro-brace" strips on the top and there is little to no bowing on the 4' sides. 1/4" will be more than enough for a prop tank.
melev
Well-known member
I honestly think 3/8" would be sufficient. 1/4" will bow somewhat, and 1/2" seems like it would be overkill (but gorgeous!). If you make it out of 1/4", the bowing becomes apparent at the center of the panels, more and more as you increase the tank's vertical height.
I do recommend a flange on the top, especially if you don't use internal baffles to hold it all together (and you are not, because this is a frag tank. http://melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/diy/flange.html
I do recommend a flange on the top, especially if you don't use internal baffles to hold it all together (and you are not, because this is a frag tank. http://melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/diy/flange.html
GoldStripe
New member
I know this thread was dead but hopefully someone will see it.
To the acrylic pros out there melev, Zephrant, Acrylics;
As you continue to build sumps and tanks have you decided which wires or pins work the best? Still happy with the .007 stainless wire? Or the accupuncture needles? I started my sump this weekend, made all my cuts. Now I have to true up all the edges to make sure they are all even. I'm mostly likely going to get the .007 wire hopefully locally, but I wanted to see if there were any updates.
Melev, as always your website has proved invaluable. I think I've read every acrylic page 10 times and I haven't even open the can of #4 yet!! Thanks for all the info to all of you!
To the acrylic pros out there melev, Zephrant, Acrylics;
As you continue to build sumps and tanks have you decided which wires or pins work the best? Still happy with the .007 stainless wire? Or the accupuncture needles? I started my sump this weekend, made all my cuts. Now I have to true up all the edges to make sure they are all even. I'm mostly likely going to get the .007 wire hopefully locally, but I wanted to see if there were any updates.
Melev, as always your website has proved invaluable. I think I've read every acrylic page 10 times and I haven't even open the can of #4 yet!! Thanks for all the info to all of you!
GoldStripe
New member
Awsome, that's what I needed to know. Now I just have to find the stuff. A hunch says I won't be able to, but then again I really don't know where to look.
For wire? Go to www.smallparts.com
They have malleable stainless wire in various gauges, not all that expensive either, which is nice
For the econimical (ok..cheap) way to make the thicker wires, strip the paper off of Hefty bag twist-ties.
HTH,
James
They have malleable stainless wire in various gauges, not all that expensive either, which is nice
For the econimical (ok..cheap) way to make the thicker wires, strip the paper off of Hefty bag twist-ties.
HTH,
James
GoldStripe
New member
I thought that twisties were a little to thick? My material is 3/8". I'm going to practice first of course.
melev
Well-known member
Hey James! So good to see your posts from time to time.
I'm using accupuncture needles, and reuse them until I lose them. NorthernCF has the source. In the last shipment he ordered, I got some of those and they had small plastic handles. He orders various thicknesses, and I prefer the .020 ones the most. I've used .016 as well with good results.
Glad the site is helping you. That is the whole reason it is there, so that others like you can DIY these projects with some confidence.
Practice with some scrap acrylic to get an idea of what you are dealing with, so your sump will come out nice. And if you have questions, just ask.
I'm using accupuncture needles, and reuse them until I lose them. NorthernCF has the source. In the last shipment he ordered, I got some of those and they had small plastic handles. He orders various thicknesses, and I prefer the .020 ones the most. I've used .016 as well with good results.
Glad the site is helping you. That is the whole reason it is there, so that others like you can DIY these projects with some confidence.
Practice with some scrap acrylic to get an idea of what you are dealing with, so your sump will come out nice. And if you have questions, just ask.
