Acrylic Fabbers

[monsinour]

For those of you who make your own acrylic tanks, can you please post a pic of your acrylic edges before you put the stuff together. I want to compare the edges that are on the acrylic splash guards to what you guys get with your router cuts and sanding. When I get home, I will snap a pic of the edges made by the laser. I can say that there are no burrs to remove anywhere, obviously no saw marks or anything, and the edges look fairly good.
ALSO
I might have to drill the acrylic to mount some hinges to it when I get home. I know a piece of wood under it for drilling, but what kind of bit do I use? What if I need to make a rectangular hole in it?
edit: while the laser can cut just about anything, it cant light a cigarette. We tried and it just cut the thing, LOL.

 

[al&burke]

Hey Monsi - as far as the hindges go you can purchase acrylic ones that are glued to the panels or dors might make a nice jod of it. I will post a picture of the edges for glueing.

 

[2quills]

I bet, those edges probably look like they've already been flame polished once they're cut. What brand of machine was it? Will it cut 4x8' rectangular sheets? Agree with, Al. The acrylic hinges would look alot cleaner. They do make make drill bits for plastics that have a sharper point and less pitch to them.

 

[acrylic51]

Agree would need to see a pic of the edges....My laptop is down so, don't have access to my pics, but if you go into Flowers thread I'm sure you'll find pics of my edges prepped....
I also agree with the acrylic hinges....work super nice and look super sweet IMHO.....
As far as drill bits the above info is correct they do make special bits for plastic/acrylic, but you can take regular drill bits and take them to the grinder or a file will work and round over the edge on the bit. You don't want the bit to actually bite or grab the acrylic......I usually just round regular bits over I buy from HarborFreight.

 

[mylady]

Here is a video of the laser at the shop at work making washers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G01sLXkRM10

 

[monsinour]

Its a Trumph laser. This acrylic is for a splash guard on a bathing tub. While acrylic hinges would work, we have the metal ones and I just need to put this together. It appears I will have time to do this tomorrow...

 

[monsinour]

Hey all, sorry it took so long to get to this. But I finally have some down time and the batteries were charged in the camera. So here come the photos:
This is a top down view of a corner

This is a side view of the same corner

And this is a close up, as close as I can get with my POS camera, of the side

The acrylic is 1/8" thick. It was cut with a laser using Nitrogen instead of Oxygen. Nothing else was done to the piece of acrylic after the laser was done cutting it. I have not rubbed the edge with anything nor have I tried to polish it up. I have to tell you, I could only stand there for about 15 seconds when it was getting cut. The smell was absolutely horrid. We had to leave the machine sit for about 20 minutes after it was cut just to let it "air out." We cut the 4 pieces out of the full sheet of acrylic in about a minute and a half total. So, how well did the laser do cutting the acrylic?
My friend still has 2 full sheets of this smoked stuff that is not spoken for. I dont think it is thick enough to make a tank out of, but you could make a nice frag stand with it right? Use the holes that are cut out of it for stands. Let me know if someone wants something like this done and I will call him to see what he can do. Shipping it from atlanta might be an issue, but I can work out the details.

 

[al&burke]

That looks cool Monsi cuts look good enough to glue - what are you going to attach the hinges with bolts or self tapping screws.

 

[monsinour]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/384170/acrylic-fabbers#post_3367503
That looks cool Monsi cuts look good enough to glue - what are you going to attach the hinges with bolts or self tapping screws.
After cracking the first piece of acrylic making holes for the eye bolts, and there havent been complaints by the ladies about doing it, I am not sure if I will be hinging it. If I do, I will use a piece of wood and drill holes. Then use nuts and bolts to attach the hinges.