Cutting plexiglass
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10146
Printed Date: July 29 2026 at 5:11pm
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Topic: Cutting plexiglass
Posted By: Rhine Lenhart
Subject: Cutting plexiglass
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 8:20pm
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Hi all, I am going to make a Refugium and was wondering if anyone has had certain experiences in cuttin plexxiglass? it will be 1/8 thick so it wont be bad, but i will need some clean edges... for obvious reasons... Give me your thoughts, thanks, Rhine ------------- 55 Gal Reef. 30 Gal Fuge. 957-9197 2007 presidency |
Replies:
Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 8:22pm
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The best method is to use a table saw, its very hard to cut it strait any other way. You could also try to snap it, but I don't have any experience with that method. ------------- Rocky Phillips Hill AFB, Utah Currently Tankless :( |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 8:46pm
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1/8 inch sounds pretty thin. -------------  |
Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 8:47pm
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It all depends on the size he is building, but I have to agree anything over 20 gallon capacity would probably be to thin. ------------- Rocky Phillips Hill AFB, Utah Currently Tankless :( |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 9:57pm
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I've used a table saw with a plywood blade. Feed it as fast as the blade will take it. It tends to melt if you don't get the right speed. With a table saw, you can get very nice cuts that can be easily deburred with a sharp blade.
Good luck. |
Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 10:09pm
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1/4 inch should be used for that size ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: Adam Haycock
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 10:14pm
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Would it be possible to use an old glass aquarium or other container? Ive made a sump, refugium, and 90 gallon tank out of acrylic and its a lot of work to do it right. I wouldn't use anything under 1/4". It may be hard to get strong seams with 1/8" How big of a tank do you want to build? Use a table saw and then use a router or planer to get the edges smooth. Without smooth edges the joints will be weaker and may fail when filled with water. ------------- 
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Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 11:09pm
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If you have a nice carbide blade on your table saw, you can get edges just as clean as with a router, ime. I just glue right from the table saw and for the most part can get crystal clear joints. 1/8" is a too thin, 1/4 minium for a sump if I was building. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 11:58pm
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I would use weld on 3 to build it then reseem with weldon 16 just IMO ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: dogpoor
Date Posted: January 26 2006 at 11:16am
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I have found a sheet metal shear to be the best, but have used table saws, score and break, and a router. all will work ------------- Land locked sailer |
Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: January 26 2006 at 11:24am
That is what I have done on my latest projects, works great no leaks! Fax ------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
FIRE SHRIMP wrote:Posted By: Rhine Lenhart
Date Posted: January 26 2006 at 7:49pm
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ok the size i need to make is 36long 11wide 13high what is weldon? Better yet does anyone know were i can get 1/4 or more Plexiglass at a reasonable price? I would use a 20 long but my cabinet doors will not fit on there with that in there. HELLLLPPPPPP!!!!!! ------------- 55 Gal Reef. 30 Gal Fuge. 957-9197 2007 presidency |
Posted By: bruiseandy
Date Posted: January 29 2006 at 11:08pm
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13 high you can definitely get away with 1/4" buy it in SLC here http://www.delviesplastics.com/ACRYLIC%20SHEET.htm - http://www.delviesplastics.com/ACRYLIC%20SHEET.htm ------------- Ogden UT |
Posted By: Rhine Lenhart
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 12:31am
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i paid $5 for 5 sheets of 36x24 1/8..what if i doubled up? would this work? ------------- 55 Gal Reef. 30 Gal Fuge. 957-9197 2007 presidency |
Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 12:49am
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I wouldnt do it ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 7:09am
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It would be nearly impossible to get the acrylic to bond without some small bubles which obviously you don't want. ------------- Rocky Phillips Hill AFB, Utah Currently Tankless :( |
Posted By: Rhine Lenhart
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 7:19am
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Ok anybody have a 20 long for sale?
------------- 55 Gal Reef. 30 Gal Fuge. 957-9197 2007 presidency |
Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 12:07pm
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Good call, buy the 20 long, and use the 1/8" acrylic for baffles to divide it up. Fax ------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 1:11pm
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I agree with fax, I think you will be alot more happy with something that has less risk of failing. ------------- Rocky Phillips Hill AFB, Utah Currently Tankless :( |
Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 4:02pm
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Rocky how is the New Tank? ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 4:15pm
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Well got it home sitting right in the middle of the living room so that my girl friend can get mad every time she sees it. No actually she likes fish too and is just as excited as I am to get it up and running. I appreciate the great deal and will, with permision of course, head down there this weekend to pick up a thing or two. Rocky ------------- Rocky Phillips Hill AFB, Utah Currently Tankless :( |