What kind of acrylic is usually used in tarantula enclosures?

[antinous]

I'm in the process of making a display enclosure(s) and was wondering what type of acrylic would be the best? I've never made an enclosure before or really worked with acrylic so I don't know which would be the sturdiest and look the best.

I was thinking either this:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_78777-1638-1X08126A_1z0ylvsZ1z10v2s__?productId=3143521&pl=1
or
http://www.lowes.com/pd_11288-1638-1AG2196A_1z0vjjgZ1z0ylvs__?productId=3502046&pl=1

In your own opinion, which would be the best for an enclosure and to drill/solder holes in?

 

[Blackout14]

I have used the optic before with decent results on wooden cages for the doors cut with a table saw and drilled easy but I was using 1/4 inch thick

 

[antinous]

I have used the optic before with decent results on wooden cages for the doors cut with a table saw and drilled easy but I was using 1/4 inch thick

The closest to 1/4" I've seen is .22", think that would work fine?
Now just to find the other parts for the enclosure haha

 

[Blackout14]

The closest to 1/4" I've seen is .22", think that would work fine?
Now just to find the other parts for the enclosure haha

Probably fine tap plastics if you have one nearby has everything you need if not check out there website you can order the hinges cement latches and everything else

 

[antinous]

Probably fine tap plastics if you have one nearby has everything you need if not check out there website you can order the hinges cement latches and everything else

Was actually looking at their site just right now haha. Would an aquarium silicone work well with gluing the pieces together?

 

[Blackout14]

Was actually looking at their site just right now haha. Would an aquarium silicone work well with gluing the pieces together?

Not as well as the acrylic cement. Silicone for whatever reason doesn't like to bond to acrylic the acrylic cement actually melts the two peices H till they become one ..other cool thing about that sight is you can order pre cut peices exactly the size you need your glue and all and then just assemble it

 

[viper69]

Was actually looking at their site just right now haha. Would an aquarium silicone work well with gluing the pieces together?

Tap Plastics has an acrylic kit, including the solvent to chemically weld the sides together. I haven't seen anyone use silicone to make these cages.

Also, the thicker your acrylic the less likely the piece will bow over time. That's why glass is better in that dept.

Honestly, if you are going to spend all the time to make an acrylic container, don't use a solder iron, it will come out like crap IMO. Drill the ventilation holes in. You can use general purpose drill bits, or bits made for acrylic. You know you are drilling too fast when the acrylic melts. Don't use a Dremel! I've posted a lot about this a while back.

 

[antinous]

Not as well as the acrylic cement. Silicone for whatever reason doesn't like to bond to acrylic the acrylic cement actually melts the two peices H till they become one ..other cool thing about that sight is you can order pre cut peices exactly the size you need your glue and all and then just assemble it

Would that still be safe for the T?

I was actually going to get the acrylic pieces at a store so I can avoid shipping cost, and they cut for free haha

Tap Plastics has an acrylic kit, including the solvent to chemically weld the sides together. I haven't seen anyone use silicone to make these cages.

Also, the thicker your acrylic the less likely the piece will bow over time. That's why glass is better in that dept.

Honestly, if you are going to spend all the time to make an acrylic container, don't use a solder iron, it will come out like crap IMO. Drill the ventilation holes in. You can use general purpose drill bits, or bits made for acrylic. You know you are drilling too fast when the acrylic melts. Don't use a Dremel! I've posted a lot about this a while back.

I'd love to use glass, but then there's the problem of drilling holes into it. Do you think .22" thick acrylic will bow over time? It's the thickest I could find at a local hardware store.

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[Blackout14]

Would that still be safe for the T?

I was actually going to get the acrylic pieces at a store so I can avoid shipping cost, and they cut for free haha



I'd love to use glass, but then there's the problem of drilling holes into it. Do you think .22" thick acrylic will bow over time? It's the thickest I could find at a local hardware store.

Thanks so much for the help!

Absolutely safe just make sure to do it in a seperate room and don't put the t in it for a few days till it completely cures. Whatch with lowes or homedepote they even say it at the cutting station their cuts are only accurate to a 1/4 of an inch but that can be a big difference if your making a box

 

[Blackout14]

Thickness should be fine for most cages unless your building some 2 ft tall monster but .22 is pretty thick and when bonded well works very well.

 

[antinous]

Absolutely safe just make sure to do it in a seperate room and don't put the t in it for a few days till it completely cures. Whatch with lowes or homedepote they even say it at the cutting station their cuts are only accurate to a 1/4 of an inch but that can be a big difference if your making a box

Thickness should be fine for most cages unless your building some 2 ft tall monster but .22 is pretty thick and when bonded well works very well.

Ah shoot. So if I'm looking to get cuts for a 20"x12"x12" enclosure made, I shouldn't get it from there because they'll be off?

Thanks!

 

[viper69]

Would that still be safe for the T?

I was actually going to get the acrylic pieces at a store so I can avoid shipping cost, and they cut for free haha



I'd love to use glass, but then there's the problem of drilling holes into it. Do you think .22" thick acrylic will bow over time? It's the thickest I could find at a local hardware store.

Thanks so much for the help!

Not sure if that thickness will bow over time or not to be honest. I don't think so, but I was actually wondering myself. I would call Tap Plastics!

 

[antinous]

Not sure if that thickness will bow over time or not to be honest. I don't think so, but I was actually wondering myself. I would call Tap Plastics!

Gotcha, thanks!

Last thing, do you think extruded acrylic is better for an enclosure, or is it better to ask TAPS?

 

[viper69]

Gotcha, thanks!

Last thing, do you think extruded acrylic is better for an enclosure, or is it better to ask TAPS?

TAPS, as I'm no acrylic Jedi

One more thing, while I don't use their acrylic drill bits, I have heard from some that used them and they said they worked perfectly. So while pricey, I'd get those bits. They are single fluted (google it).

 

[Blackout14]

Gotcha, thanks!

Last thing, do you think extruded acrylic is better for an enclosure, or is it better to ask TAPS?

Not sure on that one I would ask taps but I would not trust lowes to cut something so clean your cuts need to be within a half an inch to line up that's too much for them I think

 

[antinous]

Not sure on that one I would ask taps but I would not trust lowes to cut something so clean your cuts need to be within a half an inch to line up that's too much for them I think

Thanks for the heads up!

I think I honestly might just buy acrylic at Lowe's or another hardware store and cut it myself using a knife or I'll try to borrow a power tool from the uni I'm at. I'll have them cut the first piece and then just make cuts based on those sizes (as long as they don't cut it diagonal or crooked). It's just too expensive for shipping and having it cut at TAP as well as other places.

 

[Blackout14]

Thanks for the heads up!

I think I honestly might just buy acrylic at Lowe's or another hardware store and cut it myself using a knife or I'll try to borrow a power tool from the uni I'm at. I'll have them cut the first piece and then just make cuts based on those sizes (as long as they don't cut it diagonal or crooked). It's just too expensive for shipping and having it cut at TAP as well as other places.

You can cut it with a sharp razor knife and a straight edge just keep scoring till it's half way through then snap it off in the edge of a table. Leave the plastic or paper coating in till your done so you don't scratch it but if you have access to a table saw it works great for 1/4 thick stuff you will need to sand or rougher the edges to get them smooth before glueing though

 

[antinous]

You can cut it with a sharp razor knife and a straight edge just keep scoring till it's half way through then snap it off in the edge of a table. Leave the plastic or paper coating in till your done so you don't scratch it but if you have access to a table saw it works great for 1/4 thick stuff you will need to sand or rougher the edges to get them smooth before glueing though

I'll try looking for a table saw I can borrow! If you snap it when it's half way or more, will it still be a clean cut you think?

And yea, I see a lot of sanding in the future haha

Thanks!

 

[Blackout14]

I'll try looking for a table saw I can borrow! If you snap it when it's half way or more, will it still be a clean cut you think?

And yea, I see a lot of sanding in the future haha

Thanks!

It makes a pretty clean line it's essentially the same way Home Depot or lowes cut set their table gaurentees a straight line they score it a few times then snap

 

[antinous]

It makes a pretty clean line it's essentially the same way Home Depot or lowes cut set their table gaurentees a straight line they score it a few times then snap

Gotcha. Thanks! I really appreciate the help!