how do i know if its cast acrylic or not?

[khoivo1]

i want to buy some acrylic to build sump but on the sheet of acrylic paper it said
Plexiglass Acrylic Sheet Clear ,,how do i know if its cast acrylic or not?? if not can i still buy it and build the sump?? any help would be great thanks

 

[areze]

should have a manufacturer somewhere that you could look up.

where did you buy it? I can tell you if it was lowes or home depot its extruded.

 

[khoivo1]

its Plexiglass Acrylic G
is that ok to build tank?

 

[areze]

looks like it might be cast, so should be alright... cant be positive. but top google results show it as cast.

 

[Lam Ly]

Cast

Cast

Cast acrylic is very clear through and when you cut it does not melt.
also it is easier to use.
building a sump you don't have to use cast acrylic, because cast acrylic cost alot more than regular plexiglass.

For a sump regular plexiglass is OK.

Hope that help.

 

[shivvy]

Plexiglas G = Cast

Plexiglas MC = Extruded


Looks like you are good to go!

 

[khoivo1]

thanks guy,,,,just picked up some 4x8 sheet today will working on it when i have time but i don't know should i stand up the sheet or laying flat in storage for now,??

 

[shivvy]

Lay flat if you can. Whenever any customer calls with an issue of bowing it is due to them standing the sheet up in their racks.

 

[khoivo1]

thanks

 

[laverda]

I have some sheets of acrylic I got free, but they are bowed 3-4 inches. will laying them flat straighten them out over time. If not any ideas how to get them some what flatter?

 

[shivvy]

Yeah, lay them out in the sun for a half day or so. Lay them down the opposite way of the bow and put something heavy in the middle. They should go back.

It may take a while so don't get scared.

What thickness is it?

 

[khoivo1]

just cutted a pc,,,but the blade got so hot that melted acrylic,,,what do you spay in the blade so it will not hot when cutting? water??? oils?? d40?? greasse??? thanks

 

[shivvy]

are you using an acrylic cutting blade? table saw?

 

[khoivo1]

yes 80t and table saw

 

[Lam Ly]

cutting acrylic with table saw

cutting acrylic with table saw

Hey Khoivo1,

If the acrylic that you cut melt, that mean
1-the blade is not acrylic blade.
2-the acrylic is not cast.
that is the only two reason it melts I can think of as far as I know.
Maybe some other reefer maybe have more experience here.
I had been using the acrylic blade it it cutted nice and smoothwith cast acrylic, and with extruded acrylic it may seem to melt a bit.
you should not use any water, or any solution on the saw at all.

Hope it help.

Lam

 

[WinM70]

Sounds like the wrong blade, Lowe's sells a blade for cutting vinyl / plastics etc and it has more like 150t.

 

[Acrylics]

Several things can dull blades; if you have cut PVC, ABS, or many other plastics, particle board or MDF, then these may have caused the blades to go dull. Cast acrylic will also melt if your feed rate is too slow.
FWIW, all my 10" table saw blades are 80 tooth, they also just go dull over time from cutting lotsa stuff.
For the most part, if your blades are not for acrylic/laminates, they will chip the acrylic rather than melt it. Sounds more like a dull blade to me.

If it is in fact Plex G, then it is definitely cell cast. I do agree with others, no water or other cutting solution should be used on a table saw w/ acrylic.

HTH,
James

 

[khoivo1]

thanks very much for all help guy i will buy a new place and try it again thanks