Essential tools for acrylic work

[G-money]

I'm going to start playing with acrylic.
I've been doing a fair amount of reading and think I'm ready to think about trying a few small projects.

I wanted to get a general consensus as to what the "acrylic hobbyists" view as essential tools for the job. I figure table saw and router are a given. Clamps, some jigs and of course your range of adhesives.

Mind you, I'm not looking to get into any type of commercial production. I'd just like to get good enough to make my own equipment. Anything else that fellow acrylic hobbyists think is essential to get the job done well?

Thanks!

 

[cal91666]

A good clean work bench with smooth surface.

 

[G-money]

Thanks. Flat, too I suppose.

While we're at it, is there any reading material worth getting?
I've seen a few acrylic fabrication books out there...

 

[cal91666]

Best reading material I've found is what I've read posted here and on other sites.

 

[inlandreef]

8 lb sledge hammer.

 

[mattboy]

1/4" spiral upcut flushtrim bit, router table with a fence that can be set 24" away from the bit. (you can make this) If you're going to cut tube, it's nice to have a jig that will allow you to rotate the tube against the table saw blade while keeping it from moving side to side. A roll of double sided tape is real handy too, for attaching templates. If you get really into it, you can book a little shop time at a place that has a CNC router to make templates for flanges with nice keyhole slots; then you can use those to make your pieces. Unless, of course, you get REALLY into it and are suffering from an excess of money, in which case you can buy your own CNC router and make other people's templates!

 

[stugray]

I assemble my projects on a large table with an old mirror on it. Its flat, smooth, impervious to the solvents, and wont adhere to the acrylic. It also lets you see into your joints in a way that you couldnt normally.

Also, If you have any machinist friends ( or a large recycle bin in the machine shop at work like I do ), you can get heavy blocks of metal that are flat & square. These can help during gluing the joints to hold everything square.

Stu

 

[GROSSR]

Band aids, tweezers, and extra acrylic.

rich