Anyone do Acyrlic work here?

washowi · 02-09-2006, 07:19 PM

I have tried 2 local sources. One refuses to answer emails. Guess who.
The other was a bit pricey and offered no solutions to reduce the costs and bring it in at a more reasonable cost by making suggestions to design.

So I will see if there is any hidden talents that lay out there. I am looking to build roughly a 350 gallon sump. I have plans.

Anyone do this as a hobby and feel comfortable doing so?

Thanks
Todd

JT · 02-09-2006, 07:34 PM

It's going to be an expensive project no matter how you slice it Todd. Acrylic has probably gone up 200% in the past two years and your job requires a lot of custom work.

Didn't you get a quote from someone in the $950 area, that didn't sound like a very high price for what you were looking at having done.

- JT

washowi · 02-09-2006, 07:45 PM

Nope. No quotes. Jenn gave me the one that was the lowest,

Remember, I did not say it was going to be cheap. I want a fair cost. I expect to pay for this. I don't want it for free. This isn't a cheap hobby, nor is this sump a cheap design. It will in the long run save me time. Time to me is money.

Hell I have probably $8000 invested in this hobby right now. So obviously $ isn't the main driving force. I had a quote at near $2000. That is insane.

The acyrlic could not cost more than $500. So a fair labor cost is what I am after. This design isnt that hard or crazy. Matter of fact it's pretty simple. Just bigger pieces.

46bfinga · 02-09-2006, 07:50 PM

did you try precision clarity in ballground? i know bfuller does some acrylic work.you could ask him.good luck

robsmith32 · 02-09-2006, 07:56 PM

For 300 gallons? I'd say acrylic going to be much more than $500.
I know when I was looking at getting acryllic to build a 220 gallon tank, i was looking a right at $800 just for the acrylic.

jimbeau · 02-09-2006, 08:03 PM

Check with The HitMan (Tim)
His work is some of the best I have seen, and from a guy working from his garage. IE no overhead of a storefront...

washowi · 02-09-2006, 08:26 PM

46

that who will not answer emails or phone calls.

Rob
I was guessing on cost. But I was already told that the acrylic would cost in the 500 to 600 range. Maybe not. It's all about how you use the pieces. Mine design trys to maxmize the pieces and have little waste. If I can get some detailed quotes, I could tell you more.

Jim
I will try him or maybe he will chime in. Did not think he did that?

Schwaggs · 02-09-2006, 08:38 PM

Does it have to be acrylic? A 300 gallon Rubbermaid tub is less than $200.

BLFuller123 · 02-09-2006, 08:48 PM

pm sent

JT · 02-09-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by washowi

The acyrlic could not cost more than $500. So a fair labor cost is what I am after.

You are probably looking at $800 in materials alone. You are looking at 1/2" sheets at a minimum and probably 4 sheets. The last time I bought 1/2", it was $150/sheet but this was 5 years ago and acrylic has gone up since then.

Acrylic work is pretty labor, and time, intensive to shoot a proper seam. It can't be rushed and I wouldn't trust someone who would rush such a project. Your design is a lot more intricate than you think, definitely more than a standard tank. I used to work with a custom acrylic shop and layout and setup took the most time. Measure twice, cut once.

From the drawings you showed me, $1400 would be a fair price for what you want.

- JT

washowi · 02-09-2006, 09:54 PM

Schwaggs - for what I need it to do, it has to be acrylic. It is more than just a sump. You have to see it. But it will be a sump. a saltwater holding tank and a RODI make up water tank. Plus more

Thanks
TW

washowi · 02-09-2006, 09:55 PM

Actually I want 3/4" thick

robsmith32 · 02-09-2006, 10:08 PM

I was thinking would more than likely be 3/4"...
Like is said, just for acryllic sheets alone, i was looking at $800 plus from piedmont plastics.. fwiw the acryllic tank manufacture in acworth or canton, quoted close to 800 for the tank made. I was looking to do it 8'x2'x2' which would have been total usage of the sheets. And you're looking at an extra 3rd just for outside dimensions, not counting whats going across to sectionalize. I'd think with the added benefit of bracing the sectionalizing does, you could use a thinner sheet. Of course if you're going taller this won't be the case.

mcmaster may be better priced.
And this was before the oil price hike, which plays into acryllic pricing.

washowi · 02-09-2006, 10:41 PM

Thanks, shape is more like 4 foot high by like 6 feet long and 2 feet deep.

But it can be adjusted to be economical in sheets. The size is not hard in stone. But if you have to buy the sheets anyway. Make it as large as I can.

I am sending the plans to Brett in the morning. Thanks

MattTVI · 02-09-2006, 10:57 PM

Todd,

At the risk of sounding like a stalker, don't you live in the same neighborhood as mike (P. Clarity)? Last time I spoke to him, he was saying that at his new digs, the phone is in a separate room from where he works, so he has trouble getting to it... still doesn't explain the emails though... anyway, just a thought...

Matt