Calling all acrylic experts.

[Siberman]

I've never worked with it so I have a few questions:


What glue /cement to use?

Can I drill air holes with a standard drill & bit?

I want to put hinges and a lock on one side so will I be able to mount the hardware with screws?

(Btw, this is for a snake. Off topic, I know, but I never can get a question answered at Kingsnake.com.)

[Hop]

Deleted

[crvz]

Will you take a novice's thoughts too?

With a little practice, you can make something with weldon 4. Especially if you arent making something that's water tight. Use 16 to fix leaks is usually what I do. Just cut straight edges and you'll do alright.

[Acrylics]

Originally Posted by Siberman

I've never worked with it so I have a few questions:

What glue /cement to use?

Most would use Weld-on 4

Can I drill air holes with a standard drill & bit?

You can use the drill but standard drill bits can crack out the back (standard bits pull through, acrylic bits scrape through.) So either get an acrylic bit or use a backer board wherever you drill. Larger holes can be drilled with hole saws, Forstner type bits, or even spade bits if you're careful.

want to put hinges and a lock on one side so will I be able to mount the hardware with screws?

Yes, you can drill and tap acrylic. Use a 50:50 mix of Palmolive and water as a tapping fluid. It would be advisable though to use polycarbonate for the top if possible. Small screws tend to concentrate stress in small areas and cause cracks, polycarbonate is a much tougher material. Also if you can - use screws and nuts (w/ washers) rather than tapping thinner material.

HTH,
James

[Siberman]

Originally Posted by Acrylics

Most would use Weld-on 4

You can use the drill but standard drill bits can crack out the back (standard bits pull through, acrylic bits scrape through.) So either get an acrylic bit or use a backer board wherever you drill. Larger holes can be drilled with hole saws, Forstner type bits, or even spade bits if you're careful.

Yes, you can drill and tap acrylic. Use a 50:50 mix of Palmolive and water as a tapping fluid. It would be advisable though to use polycarbonate for the top if possible. Small screws tend to concentrate stress in small areas and cause cracks, polycarbonate is a much tougher material. Also if you can - use screws and nuts (w/ washers) rather than tapping thinner material.

HTH,
James

I won't be using a top. It's going to slide into a bookshelf.
So I just drill the holes for the hinges, etc. then use nuts and bots to attach, got it. Any suggestions on what to use to cover the hardware inside the tank? (Don't want her scratching herself.)

Thanks for all the replies.

[Acrylics]

Originally Posted by Siberman

I won't be using a top. It's going to slide into a bookshelf.
So I just drill the holes for the hinges, etc. then use nuts and bots to attach, got it. Any suggestions on what to use to cover the hardware inside the tank? (Don't want her scratching herself.)

Thanks for all the replies.

Either use acorn nuts or put the screw heads on the inside.

HTH,
James

[Siberman]