cutting acrylic

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
What ? Nobody has a co2 laser? come on guys, it's the 21 century. :drool:

And before anyone asks, No you can't make one with a 2ltr bottle, some yeast and a flashlight... McGyver went to SG1 and just likes to blow things up now. :screwy:
 
Dr Joe said:
What ? Nobody has a co2 laser? come on guys, it's the 21 century. :drool:

And before anyone asks, No you can't make one with a 2ltr bottle, some yeast and a flashlight... McGyver went to SG1 and just likes to blow things up now. :screwy:
Click to expand...

Joe, you slay me :ROFL:


The problem with cutting any plastic is this: Heat build up. It didn't take a rocket scientist to come up with that one. The solutions are wide and varied, but the core idea is to cut and eject the material before anything can gather enough heat to melt.

A jig saw with small teeth does not remove material fast enough to move the blade out of the cut zone before the material melts. A jig saw will need a large tooth blade and cooling time at the first sign of melting. You can also plug it into a GFCI outlet and turn it into a wet saw. You could use Dr. Joes plasma torch for cooling and illumination.

The table saw idea is my first choice, but can still melt the material if you go too slow. Of course I am known for running dull blades. It will also cause fine cracking if you go to fast or if you use a dull blade.

The mention of a router for the edges is also excellent advise. Routers run at 10,000 and 20,000 rpm and can easily cause melting when in my hands. Up to that heat build up, they are excellent. I do not have the touch for working with plastic, so when I hit that point I have to put it down and take a break.
 
I've never cut, but I have drilled it a lot. I could smell it melting, but never had a problem with cracks or warping. It looked perfectly find after I was done.
 
I've never cut, but I have drilled it a lot. I could smell it melting, but never had a problem with cracks or warping. It looked perfectly find after I was done.
 
Danh said:
I've never cut, but I have drilled it a lot. I could smell it melting, but never had a problem with cracks or warping. It looked perfectly find after I was done.
Click to expand...
Hey, is there an echo in here? (double post)

I know that smell all too well. The cracks I got were not visible until I painted one side gloss black. They are tiny mirrored hairline cracks.
 
An echo? I was telling you that the smell and NO CRACKING didn't cause my tank any problems. That wouldn't be a double post.
 
Danh said:
An echo? I was telling you that the smell and NO CRACKING didn't cause my tank any problems. That wouldn't be a double post.
Click to expand...

post 14 & 15 look very similar Danh
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom