building with acrylic

Clownfishie · 12-08-02, 11:41 AM

I've been thinking of building my GTP enclosure with acrylic -- several people on the ChondroForum have done it, and according to them it didn't take much longer than putting together a rubbermaid setup like the one suggested on Greg Maxwell's page for GTP babies, and wasn't very expensive either...

My only problem is, I have no idea where to get the stuff

Everyone on that forum (well, mostly everyone I guess) lives in the states... they get theirs from US Plastics, but I'm hoping there's some kind of supplier up here that I can order from, and hopefully avoid duty etc...

Anyone know of somewhere? Preferably on the west coast, but anywhere in Canada will do

Thanks

Jen

morph · 12-08-02, 11:54 AM

hey clownfishie i believe you're in victoria so try ind. plastics on qaudra or I know there is a place on keating cross road as well also most home improvement places like home depot, home hardware.

scott

beth wallbank · 12-08-02, 02:21 PM

hey Jen
If you go to either Revy or Home Depot, they both have a large selection and colour patterns of acrylic counter top sheets. They come in an array of sizes, but the mosr economical way is to purchase a 8' x 4' sheet and cut it to size. This stuff is the same stuff that counter tops are made with, and are very durable. Sealed with a good water proof silicone, these cages could last you a long time and look esthetically pleasing at the same time.
Beth

nuno · 12-08-02, 03:42 PM

I think Home Depot has some and their 4 x 8 sheets but they won't cut it and you need a special blade to cut it, What are you going to use to put it together? (glue) I forgot how much it is.

Clownfishie · 12-08-02, 08:41 PM

Thanks guys

Beth -- I was hoping to find a place that would cut it to size for me as well, as I don't really have the tools at home to do it -- do you think that they would do that? (I don't mind paying a bit extra for it)... You don't happen to remember how much a 4 x 8 sheet is, do you? Would aquarium sealant work ok for attaching the pieces together?

Thanks!
Jen

beth wallbank · 12-09-02, 12:16 PM

hey Jen
No you would have to glue the acrylic to plywood or related materials, then glue and screw each side together for sturdiness. They are useless at the hardware stores, but if you could find someone local that may be able to help with the cutting then it would be so easy to finish your enclosure. Jeff Favelle lives close does he not? He is a handy guy, and if bribed enough (lol) he may just have the tools that you need.

fade2black · 12-09-02, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nuno
I think Home Depot has some and their 4 x 8 sheets but they won't cut it and you need a special blade to cut it, What are you going to use to put it together? (glue) I forgot how much it is.

You just need a blade with about 140 teeth on it. I just bought two 24x48x0.25 sheets at HD at ~$30 each. I bought a 150T blade for my circular saw and it cut it great. The key to cutting acrylic is to not cut it too fast (chipping) or too slow (melting).

Fade

nuno · 12-09-02, 01:22 PM

If you have to glue the acrylic to plywood how do you make an
all-acrylic enclosure?

Edwin · 12-09-02, 03:15 PM

Jen,

I am not an expert on this, but I think you can buy plastic/metal fasteners to connect the pieces together, kinda like lego. You just slide the pieces in to connect them.

I saw someone with a small acrylic medicine cabinet in his bathroom using acrylic pieces and those fasteners.

Hope this helps.

escm · 12-09-02, 04:25 PM

Interesting edwin,

is this what you were talking about:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...Channel+Joiner

It seems like with little more than placing an order and an hours worth of setup/construction one could lhave themselves quite a nice cage....ahh the brainstom begins....

fade2black · 12-09-02, 04:43 PM

If you want it to be more waterproof, use Weld-on. The #16 is thick like super glue gel and the #40 is a liquid and is used for very tight fitting joints. If the cuts are not perfect or the pieces don't fit together perfectly, use the #16. The stuff bonds the acrylic together. It isn't hard to use, you just have to be careful because it sets kind of fast. If you make a mistake there is no taking it back apart!

Fade

Edwin · 12-09-02, 05:36 PM

escm,

Yes, that is what I meant!

morph · 12-09-02, 07:49 PM

you're best alternative is too get a special glue from a platics dealer that actually fuses the two pieces together for extra strength and the best look.

scott

fade2black · 12-09-02, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by morph
you're best alternative is too get a special glue from a platics dealer that actually fuses the two pieces together for extra strength and the best look.

scott

This is what I was talking about. Weld-on is the name.

Fade

Clownfishie · 12-10-02, 12:34 AM

Thanks guys

I'll check into those fasteners, they sound good -- if for nothing else than reinforcing my "glue" job

Beth -- I was thinking more along the lines of an all acrylic enclosure... like the one pictured here:
http://pub28.ezboard.com/fchondrofor...cID=3336.topic... I didn't think that I'd have to glue the acrylic to wood? That wasn't quite what I was thinking of I don't think...