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12-03-2007, 08:57 AM
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#1
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 579
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Working with acrylic.
Hi, I am curious if anyone has ever "successfully" cut acrylic with a circular saw? If so, is there a specific type of blade that should be used?
Also, I have been to the local hardware store looking at acrylic and acrylic cement, noticing that there are several different types (cement) which are qualified by number. Is there a prefered type/grade of cement to use when building sumps and other reef items?
Thanks,
David.
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12-03-2007, 10:47 AM
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#2
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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i have cut acrylic with just about every kind of say. the most important thing is to use a fine toothed blade. leaving the paper on the acrylic is also extremely important. keeps the bald/acrylic from heating up and melting back together.
there is only one cement to use with acrylic Weld-On. it comes in different viscosities. 3 is like water, used if your cut joints are perfect. 4 is just a bit more viscus. works well with very straight cuts, but may have a few blade marks on it.
since this is your first time playing with Acrylic than i would suggest Weld-On 16. a viscus glue that fills the gaps from using non-fenced cutting tools.
G~
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Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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12-03-2007, 10:55 AM
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#3
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 579
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thanks
Thank you Geoff,
I am looking to build my first sump (better than paying for one). I am very good with my hands and have taken on a slew of different projects in the past, however since I have limited access to power tools such as a table saw (the drawbacks of living in a condo) I would agree that using a thicker cement would be a wise choice.
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12-03-2007, 10:56 AM
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#4
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 7,929
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Find a blade for plastics/laminates. Last one I bought was around 7" and had 70 teeth I think, for around $10. You can get a good blade for around 10 times that much, but this work worked well for me. I made two sumps with it, but I'll probably buy a fresh one for my next project. a cheap blade has a shorter life.
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Tank thread
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12-03-2007, 10:57 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 7,929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek
Thank you Geoff,
I am looking to build my first sump (better than paying for one). I am very good with my hands and have taken on a slew of different projects in the past, however since I have limited access to power tools such as a table saw (the drawbacks of living in a condo) I would agree that using a thicker cement would be a wise choice.
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I have a lot of pics at the beginning of the build thread in my signature... not sure how helpful they'll be put feel free to look around.
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Me fail english? That's unpossible!
Tank thread
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12-03-2007, 11:07 AM
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#6
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25,829
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Like Geoff said and sand the edges smooth and take your time doing it your 1st time!Good luck
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12-03-2007, 11:51 AM
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#7
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 579
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crvz
I have a lot of pics at the beginning of the build thread in my signature... not sure how helpful they'll be put feel free to look around.
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Yes, thank you Chris. I actually reviewed your entire build thread last night. Very informative, and I must say how wonderful a job you did with your stand and canope! 
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12-03-2007, 12:27 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 7,929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek
Yes, thank you Chris. I actually reviewed your entire build thread last night. Very informative, and I must say how wonderful a job you did with your stand and canope! 
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Thanks! I think they turned out nicer than my sump, but that's probably for the best. I'm actually considering building a new sump when I have some time off over the holidays, but I don't have a lot of data just yet. I'm still soliciting opinions, but be sure to watch this thread for updates as I continue to make decisions.
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Tank thread
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12-03-2007, 03:15 PM
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#9
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 579
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Thanks for the info Chris, will absolutly follow the thread.
Dave.
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12-03-2007, 10:28 PM
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#10
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Big Fishy
Join Date: May 2007
Location: nashville
Posts: 948
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If you have a plastic supply company in your area than many will cut it.
just make sure to tell them pecision cuts and they will do it.
I used a circular saw building my rock lift and man. I had to put on a long sleeve shirt.
the tiny pieces of acrylic hitting my arm stung like crazy. not quite as soft as sawdust.
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12-04-2007, 06:45 PM
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#11
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,290
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I built my own sump with the help from this site http://www.melevsreef.com/ . I had my plastics place cut most of the pieces to size. I left the top and bottom oversized then I routered them after the sump was put together.

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12-04-2007, 07:20 PM
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#12
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 7,929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tellycoleman
the tiny pieces of acrylic hitting my arm stung like crazy. not quite as soft as sawdust.
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Not my favorite part about working with acrylic, but I've learned to stand to the side of any project I'm cutting. Granted I usually use a table saw, but one trip to the ER from kick-back to the face is enough for me, thanks (and yup, I had on protective eyewear and hearing protection... I just forgot my helmet).
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Me fail english? That's unpossible!
Tank thread
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12-04-2007, 11:52 PM
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#13
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.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: bend, oregon
Posts: 11,032
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crvz
Not my favorite part about working with acrylic, but I've learned to stand to the side of any project I'm cutting. Granted I usually use a table saw, but one trip to the ER from kick-back to the face is enough for me, thanks (and yup, I had on protective eyewear and hearing protection... I just forgot my helmet).
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agree. watch a saw blade tooth bury into the wall just once and you wont even think of putting yor head in that sawline ever again.
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Zoa and paly pics HERE
SPS pics HERE
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12-05-2007, 05:14 PM
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#14
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ReefDreams
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: miami
Posts: 269
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scary !! i used 2 different saws and changed the blades to when i cut different wood for my stand ....scary !! i dident have no protectshion at all ....
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12-05-2007, 05:31 PM
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#15
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.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: bend, oregon
Posts: 11,032
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gotnohaylo
scary !! i used 2 different saws and changed the blades to when i cut different wood for my stand ....scary !! i dident have no protectshion at all ....
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a little story.......
I had just my regular old medium tooth blade and thought id make a quick cut to a pice of 1/2" one day......the tooth hit the brim of my hat and disappeared into the wall.
Im not going to lieand say that if I just need a quick cut I still wont make the cut with the wrong blade....but my head will NEVER be in that sawline again
I had a friend who told me a story of a tooth going THROUGH one wall and buring into another off his big c and c machine at work
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I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other
Zoa and paly pics HERE
SPS pics HERE
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