Place to do some small cuts of 1/2" acrylic...?

[Brooklyn8]

Hey, can anyone recommend a place to get some small pieces of 1/2" acrylic cut correctly? I would also need to buy some acyrlic bonding adhesive. I don't remember what its called, but it has very low viscosity and bonds the acrylic by flowing in the cracks between the to pieces to be glued.

Thanks!

 

[jcavanaugh18]

what do you mean correctly? I have some weld-on 3 but I think it's a little too fluidy.

 

[Brooklyn8]

I need the dimensions to be precise and the edges to be smooth. I was thinking of doing it myself, but I would have to buy a special circular saw blade, and risk melting the acrylic if I cut it incorrectly. I would rather have an acrylic company do it, and hopefully for a reasonable cost.

 

[hansnfrans]

If you are making your own tank, then you definately shouldn't do it yourself. If this is the case, then the cuts have to be accurate to 1/16" . I use weld-on 16 and I love it. It fills in any gaps that I left due to my lack of "acrylic skills".

You can get weld-on from Streamwood Plastics, and I believe that they'll cut the acrylic for you as well.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

There is a special chemical for the application. Any acrylic guy will have it. There is a place in Spring grove Il that does acrylic the y made a sump for me. I'll look up the name for you later today.

 

[hansnfrans]

I think Swamp Donkey is talkin' 'bout Methyene Chloride. It's a chlorinated solvent that has been linked to cancer, so be careful about getting it on your skin. Now if Swamp Donkey isn't talking 'bout Methylene Chloride then disregard this .

 

[rickyb]

we have a machinist in here somewhere..... I haven't seen him post lately, but I'm sure he is reading.

 

[criccio]

You might try an engraving/platics co that has laser capabilities. Precise cuts already polished smooth. Hopefully you're not bonding those edges though.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8784434#post8784434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hansnfrans
I think Swamp Donkey is talkin' 'bout Methyene Chloride. It's a chlorinated solvent that has been linked to cancer, so be careful about getting it on your skin. Now if Swamp Donkey isn't talking 'bout Methylene Chloride then disregard this .

I knew it was a big word of some sort. I didn't realise it caused cancer. I know it is a 'harmless' chemical when not touching anything (harmless meaning is won't burn your skin or stick to anything).

Innovative Acrylic Design
10617 Commercial St
Richmond, IL 60071
(815) 678-4844

 

[mhurley]

methelyne chloride is Weld-on 3.

My approach to acrylic bonding (when I made my refugiums) was to use #3 for the bond because to does seep into the entire gap. Then I went back after that bonded and put a bead of #16 along all the seams. Rock solid and invisible.

Cutting correctly is not just the right blade, but the cut end should be put through a joiner afterwards to smooth and square it.
Or some tool like this:

http://www.sdplastics.com/cutters.html

 

[criccio]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8785764#post8785764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Swamp Donkey
I knew it was a big word of some sort. I didn't realise it caused cancer. I know it is a 'harmless' chemical when not touching anything (harmless meaning is won't burn your skin or stick to anything).


I wouldn't use the word harmless around Methylene Chloride in anyway, it has been proven to cause cancer in mice. It will also burn/ulcerate the he#@ out of your eyes if it splashes into them (meaning flushing for 15 minutes + and a trip to the ophthalmologist), WEAR eye protection. Also, you should have good ventilation, and wear some kind of gloves if possible, you don't want it soaking into your skin, or getting into a cut. I've worked with the stuff for 12+ years, be careful.

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/m4420.htm

 

[hansnfrans]

Swamp Donkey - Pretty much any chlorinated solvent is bad news to humans. It's too bad because chlorine makes everything work sooooo much better. Like that stuff, "Goof Off", the old formula had chlorine in it and worked awesome. Now the new formula is chlorine free and the stuff is useless.

I do agree that methylene chloride is the best to use though. Only problem is it is so hard to get your hands on the stuff nowadays. I was lookin' for it last year and couldn't find it anywhere.

 

[criccio]

I have bottles of the Craftics brand of MC if anyone is interested... http://craftics.com/products.cfm?Category=80