Cutting acrilic

[Mattl22]

Haveing a tough time makeing a top for my 34 gal solana out of acrlic makeing a straight break but I wanna cut out a specific pattern any one got any advice I've already ruined 2 sheets of this stuff at 12$ a sheet

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[chuck116]

How think is the acrylic ? I have made peices of alot of different shapes by cutting it with a hand acrylic knife . Its a pain in the butt , but it works I have also been able to cut it with a jigg saw , but its recommended that you tape both sides then make it and cut it. Make sure you clamp it down or have a good hold on it before you cut it. BE CAREFUL TO KEEP ALL BODY PARTS CLEAR OF THE SAW !

Good Luck, Chuck

 

[albano]

Haveing a tough time makeing a top for my 34 gal solana out of acrlic makeing a straight break but I wanna cut out a specific pattern any one got any advice I've already ruined 2 sheets of this stuff at 12$ a sheet

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How thick is acrylic ?, how long are the pieces going to be? are you scribing it, or cutting it?



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[dj ze]

what are you using to cut i use a circular saw with a fine teeth blade if you use a course blade the plastic will break you could also use a rotozip but its not that straight of a cut you need to use something with really fast rpms

 

[dj ze]

also try putting tape as your cut guide the tape will prevent chipping

 

[DrHarryLopez]

Nothing beats the easy and smoothness of a bandsaw for odd shapes.

 

[KathyC]

You can cut acrylic into odd shapes with a variable speed jigsaw also. You need to keep it moving and use it at a fairly low speed and a new blade. You also need to keep the sheet from vibrating, or it will crack.


I do have a question - are you doing this as a 'cover' for the tank to keep the fish in? If so, you are going to have awful heat issues and poor oxygen exchange. There are other ways to keep fish from jumping than a solid top (if that is your aim).

 

[E.intheC]

I had Home Depot cut it for me when I neede a few baffles... not 100% perfect but it worked fine..

 

[skene]

Tape up the area where you are cutting... or you can drill holes and use a router and a jig to cut the design

 

[Mattl22]

Hi the acrilic was 1/4 in thick I was using the scoring tool that home depot sells next to the acrilic sheets it worked only for a strait line
Kathy I am using this to try and keep a blue spot jaw fish in the tank and out of the over flow I had a mesh cover about 1/4 inch squares of black thread but jaw fish got through no problem. Any other ideas

 

[albano]

I had a mesh cover about 1/4 inch squares of black thread but jaw fish got through no problem. Any other ideas

Put another layer of mesh diagonally across first layer



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[naples]

Make a template and send it to hamlet products in mount Vernon they run 5 laser cutter tables it comes out perfect every time

 

[Mattl22]

That sound like a good idea how
Much they charge

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[naples]

For a tank that size maybe 30 or 40. It's 20 x 20 right

 

[naples]

call Hamlet Products ask for marlo she will take care of you tell her Eric sent you. 914-665-2301