Acrylic Tank Design Question
- Thread starter Phixer
- Start date
Sorry for the pm nonsense phixer....here is what i was trying to send 
this is how i would join two sheets. Old school method but i trust it more than butting the pieces on a flat surface and using that much glue like your other example.
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this is how i would join two sheets. Old school method but i trust it more than butting the pieces on a flat surface and using that much glue like your other example.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
OK, Now Im picking up what your putting down..., it's like a notched lap joint. Looks pretty stout. So the cement is poured (or injected) into the open configuration then the two sheets are set together and left to dry? Does this sound right? Do you then clamp top to bottom on each ends to keep each sheet on the same plane to make it look like one continuous sheet? How about bubbles with this method?
In comparision..., this joint looks superior for vertical panels.
Sorry for all the questions but there are very few around who actually know how to fabricate with this stuff to produce professional results.
In comparision..., this joint looks superior for vertical panels.
Sorry for all the questions but there are very few around who actually know how to fabricate with this stuff to produce professional results.
Ya i'd just pour weld on #40 every where i could on both pieces then push them together and put some clamps on both ends of the seam. Dont clamp down too hard or dry spots can occur. Messy job but its necessary to buff after anyway for clarity so it all works out. Might sound stupid but i like to use cheap restaurent style red and yellow ketchup/mustard squeeze bottles for applying the glue. The tips are similiar to a chaulk gun and the opening is already large enough for the thick glue or can be cut at an angle. If you use #42 then you already have an applicator. I would personally use this joint for my own work and put full trust in it...theres a rounded end 500 gal at a lfs built with these joints and its an easy 20 years old.
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Also glue and clamp over an open area (middle of 2 level tables) so you can wipe the excess glue off from both sides and so it doesnt stick to whatever table it is on. Will save u alot of time when its ready to sand.
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One more lol to answer all ur ?'s...bubbles should not be an issue as long as you vibrate the glue and pour it thick/fast and generohsly. I normally use standard mixing/measuring cups for large amounts of glue and they make less bubbles than applicators. If using an applicator like the bottles i suggested just be careful not to squeeze to hard forcing air into whatever your pouring.
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OK, I see. And much thanks to everyone else who has chimed in. After days of searching I found a Swiss made Mixpac #42 applicator gun for a decent price and ordered it. Have in front of me now so it looks like #42 is what I'll be using.
Dont know if I mentioned this to you eariler, but I do a lot of scouring for acrylic. Kind of like gearheads collecting hot rod parts I suppose. Would you feel comfortable using the same design for a 48" tall joint? Asking because I have my eye one some 2" thick material and Im seeing this project, (although still in the design phase) morph into something larger. Looking to flip the switch and move this into the next phase soon, just need to look at all angles first. No pun intended. 
Dont know if I mentioned this to you eariler, but I do a lot of scouring for acrylic. Kind of like gearheads collecting hot rod parts I suppose.
Would you feel comfortable using the same design for a 48" tall joint? Asking because I have my eye one some 2" thick material and Im seeing this project, (although still in the design phase) morph into something larger. Looking to flip the switch and move this into the next phase soon, just need to look at all angles first. No pun intended.
I'd use the joint i showed on any height needed so yeah 48" would b no problem especially with 2" acrylic. Gives you the most possible adhesion and still gives you clarity. Personally i would not attempt any other joint myself even if i couldnt hide it with buffing very well. I'll have to go to a local fish store that has the 500 rounded end tank i mentioned for some pics of this joint in action for over 20 years. I've been trying to buy it for my pair of sharks for some time now....They keep raising the price on me, but recently had a small electrical fire in the store soooo i may get lucky soon here lol....Acrylic is hard to come by and i search just like you do lol....I scored a nice pile 2 years ago for $420 it included 4 1" 4'x4' pieces 1" scraps and a 3x8' of 1/2" all new in the paper. Banks and gas stations usually throw it away when they close! They also use 2-4" lexan for robbers hah
