highquality
New member
I see how the radius at corners will distribute the load, and help tie the tank together tho. well, im not there yet.
DIY- "Pins" method of gluing acrylic.
- Thread starter Zephrant
- Start date
Not that cast is more difficult to use but that more care has to be taken in edge prep IMO. Cast doesn't dissolve as easily as extruded so a sawcut edge will look like a sawcut edge when glued. However, a well prepped edge is strong & will look great 
Given the size of the tank you are making, I think you'll be fine with just the strips.
HTH,
James
Given the size of the tank you are making, I think you'll be fine with just the strips.
HTH,
James
highquality
New member
Im not sure. they will know tho.
Someone asked where to get scrap acrylic. I used to have good luck at sign companies, before I started buying it sheets at a time. They have a lot of scrap after cutting out letters.
Side note, I used some WO#3 for some little donation boxes, and that stuff is a pain to work with. To me it was MUCH thinner than WO4. Even with the tiny applicator needle and drawing in a vacuum on the bottle (Sorry I cant describe this better, but acrylic guys will know what I am talking about), it still would dribble out.
It sets up RIGHT NOW, and I can see how it would make very weak joints for a tank. Awesome for POP display production, though, I'm sure. Ok, rant over
Side note, I used some WO#3 for some little donation boxes, and that stuff is a pain to work with. To me it was MUCH thinner than WO4. Even with the tiny applicator needle and drawing in a vacuum on the bottle (Sorry I cant describe this better, but acrylic guys will know what I am talking about), it still would dribble out.
It sets up RIGHT NOW, and I can see how it would make very weak joints for a tank. Awesome for POP display production, though, I'm sure. Ok, rant over
highquality
New member
Ive noticed some people use a syringe with a tip. ( vet syringe type) . does this help speed up the glue applying process, when your doin say all four sides onto the bottom piece. That would be a lot of joints to fill with weldon before it start to dry on you, right? I( got the bottle needle aplicator from tap plastis. It is the smallest needle tip they had. now i wonder if it is to small for weldon 4.
melev
Well-known member
I use the same bottle all the time. I buy them like 6 at a time.
If they clog, hold a flame (match, lighter, candle, propane torch) under the needle to unclog it. It will make a tiny *pop* noise, and you can do this about 6 or 8 times before the needle is ruined.
I've used #3 and #4 with these and never had a problem. I almost only use #4 at this point. Doing all four sides of a sump at once isn't a big deal. I do the long side first, then each end. I pull out the pins on the long side, then a couple from the ends. Finally I glue the other long side, and then pull out all the rest of the pins on that side as well as the ends.
Same system for the top flange.
And James has it right: AcryLite FF. I prefer the blue film over paper, as it is easier to get off.
If they clog, hold a flame (match, lighter, candle, propane torch) under the needle to unclog it. It will make a tiny *pop* noise, and you can do this about 6 or 8 times before the needle is ruined.
I've used #3 and #4 with these and never had a problem. I almost only use #4 at this point. Doing all four sides of a sump at once isn't a big deal. I do the long side first, then each end. I pull out the pins on the long side, then a couple from the ends. Finally I glue the other long side, and then pull out all the rest of the pins on that side as well as the ends.
Same system for the top flange.
And James has it right: AcryLite FF. I prefer the blue film over paper, as it is easier to get off.
highquality
I cant use the syringes, they're not "smooth" enough for me. When the solvent gets on the rubber plunger tip, it kind of "drags". I'm using good syringes,too. I just dont like the feel. I like the control of the bottle, as you can squeeze for more volume or release pressure to slow the flow.
I almost always use the yellow based needle applicator, I think 20 gauge. IIRC, the blue tip is 24g ??? You can really get around with the yellow needle. the blue is simply too slow for me on larger sumps, etc. But I must not be as strong as crazy Marc to squeeze the blue needled bottle so hard:lol:
Marc, what do you think of WO3? This was my first time with using it.
I cant use the syringes, they're not "smooth" enough for me. When the solvent gets on the rubber plunger tip, it kind of "drags". I'm using good syringes,too. I just dont like the feel. I like the control of the bottle, as you can squeeze for more volume or release pressure to slow the flow.
I almost always use the yellow based needle applicator, I think 20 gauge. IIRC, the blue tip is 24g ??? You can really get around with the yellow needle. the blue is simply too slow for me on larger sumps, etc. But I must not be as strong as crazy Marc to squeeze the blue needled bottle so hard:lol:
Marc, what do you think of WO3? This was my first time with using it.
highquality
New member
I have the blue needle applicatoras well. thanks for the tip on glueing the bottom on. WO3 was a little messy for me also. I have WO4 now .
highquality
New member
do you ever have acrylic that is concave in a area or that you need to straighten out before glueing? straight edge and a clamp ?
highquality
New member
I got these pins that say 12/ ( some other number) and some that are 17/ ( some other number) Im wondering what is too small? does the needle applicator tip actuallt slide inbetween the joint or does it slide at edge of joint and glue is pulled in to joint by suction or cpilarry or whatever you call it?
No, if the applicator needle will fit in between the two pieces then the "pins" are far too big.
Yep, they call it capillary action, I call it surface tension, same thing
I don't know about the pin question since I don't use them, mayhaps others will know better.
HTH,
James
highquality
New member
Maybe this will clarify things for me. Are the acupuncture needles tips thinner than the size of the blue needle aplicators thickness?
highquality
New member
Im going to start in the garage. it might get cold tonight. somewhat anyway. How will the temperature affect the weldon process? The door will be closed. thanks
melev
Well-known member
Yes, much thinner.
You want to run the bottle at a 45 degree angle against the seam. The solvent will 'wick' into the joint, and should look completely wet without air bubbles or pockets. When you pull the pins, the upright piece will drop ever so slightly into the solvent and force out some glue and any air bubbles. If you use shims, don't shim too hard, but rather just apply enough pressure to evenly press the two pieces together from below.
You want to run the bottle at a 45 degree angle against the seam. The solvent will 'wick' into the joint, and should look completely wet without air bubbles or pockets. When you pull the pins, the upright piece will drop ever so slightly into the solvent and force out some glue and any air bubbles. If you use shims, don't shim too hard, but rather just apply enough pressure to evenly press the two pieces together from below.
highquality
New member
anything wrong with copper wire. i have some thin wire strands. perfect size
