Sure thing I like to build things it comes in handy sometimes
. My new cages are going to be 5 gallon aquaria though with custom kids much easier and once I get a template for the lid will take me seconds to build em lol
What was the thickness of the acrylic you used?
Thanks for the reply! (Sorry it took a while for me to respond).@Phormic28
Ok with cut acrylic, you need VERY SMOOTH, STRAIGHT edges to weld or it looks pretty miserable and/or will not weld properly.
There are plastic table saw blades that cut really nice or you might just need to over size the piece and router it smooth.
I would personally highly recommend a plastic drill bit. They prevent blowout and are actually suited very well for cutting acrylic smoothly. My first few times drilling acrylic using a home modified drill bit for plastics went ok, but when I bought and used that plastic one... I could hear angels singing...
Just use lexan and steel bits are fine! Sure it's expensive, but at least you'll have bullet/shatter proof plastic!
I've never cut them by hand but I suspect the scribe and break method won't yield a perfect edge. I've tried a fine tooth band saw and a guide and it certainly didn't give me smooth enough edges to glue. You might want to try on a piece first and see if it's OK.
He's right. I've heard the same thing.
Well there goes my plan... I was thinking about sanding the sides down to make them as uniform as I can get, but I don't know how plausible that is.
. Order glue and done
Haha, if it wasn't so pricey I'd have ordered pieces from there by now. I think I'll just find somewhere to buy an enclosure/Sanding with progressively find paper after cutting will get you a good edge. Router would be better though. Ordering precut from taps plastics looks better and better
It's not too bad still cheaper then buying one I priced out 4 peices ore cut it came to like $30 order an assload of hinges and all so you have em and have at it!
Only problem is that if I'm order 3/16" the pieces come out to $80 (four 20x12 and two 12x12 for a Pampho. enclosure) alone w/o shipping and other parts, but I'm just nervous about drilling holes in it, if I do happen to crack one, then it's all a waste.
Did you get cast or extruded acrylic?
Is not just sanding an edge smooth, it's sanding it perpendicular to the sides within 0.01". If you're not at least close, it's all crooked and everything goes to heck... trust me, i know.
Don't remmeber but I beleive cast whatever was cheaper for 1/4 thick
Not worth it IMO from what I heard from people with more experience than myself on this one, across a few different forums too.
Why does a bit thicker bow...due to weight?
I'll add that I've seen many acrylic 125 gallon fish tanks that not only have the tarantula standard of air, but water that creates a resultant force of over 2500 lbs on the walls and they don't warp too quickly.
That's why I was confused by the person's statement. I don't know enough about acrylic materials. I thought for sure if a thicker material bowed, how come I haven't heard of this w/ all the "new" fish tanks that are made of acrylic that is even thicker, and as you said, have more force against it with water inside.....