gluing acrylic

[volivier]

building a new sump/refugium. Do you have to glue the front and back to the bottom piece? Was wanting to glue them to the sides of the bottom piece and then glue the ends on top of the bottom

[Geoff]

both sumps i have made i put the sides onto the bottom piece. i think was in order to make the bottom as flat as possible and remove any stress points due to my inability to make extremely precise cuts.

how big is this sump? if it is under 12" tall and made out of 1/4" acrylic i really do not think that it really matters.

G~

[Loverotties]

I agree with Geoff!It's easyier too.

[Fly Guy]

Agree as well. I think its much easier to get nice even pressure to secure the pieces together by the downward pressure to a flat surface than sideways.

[smeese]

Make sure there are no bubbles in the seam. It should seal completely and the plastic literally bonds and becomes one piece.

[VWD]

Yes I also found that to be true, and I also found that when the seal or bond is good It will look clear like one piece of. I have had the space between look kind of white and not a good bond.

[volivier]

Vince, would you happen to have a piece of acrylic FF 14" high and 13 7/8 wide? I'm short a baffle. Or anyone else in Wichita? Luxercraft won't open till Monday. don't know where else to buy it in Wichita, KS

[Geoff]

is it not available at Lowe's or HD in your area? it is in the glass section. they only carry up to 1/4", but it should be fine for a baffle.

G~

[volivier]

Originally Posted by Geoff

is it not available at Lowe's or HD in your area? it is in the glass section. they only carry up to 1/4", but it should be fine for a baffle.

G~

Lowes doesn't know what acrylic FF is, she said they have Plexiglass. What is the difference? would it work? Don't want to leach chemicals, I'm assuming that is the difference?

[Geoff]

they are both a polycarbonate material so they will both behave the same when using the Weld-On products to cement them together.

one has a higher melting point, but it is irrelevent for what we are doing.

G~