Wanted Acrylic supplier suggestions

[speedstar]

Looking for who I could check out for some acrylic sheet, want to be able to order cut to size with routed edge for gluing. Tapplastics I know of, anyone else?

I am a DIY guy and see no reason why I shouldn't be able to build a tank, especially since it will be inwall and I can hide the seems if needed

 

[mrpizzaface]

I think the person that cuts and routs the acrylic should be the same person to glue the acrylic.

 

[speedstar]

I think the person that cuts and routs the acrylic should be the same person to glue the acrylic.

And how is this helpful?

There are plastic suppliers that cut and edge finish that do not do assembly. Not sure what your point is.

 

[count krunk]

glasscages perhaps?

 

[Nitcrawler]

Canal plastic down town

 

[cromag27]

the issue is that you will need some of the panels cut larger than needed, then you router off the excess.

 

[speedstar]

the issue is that you will need some of the panels cut larger than needed, then you router off the excess.

I have a table router and the correct bit, but want the routed edge as it is best for glue compared to just laser cut.

Edit see you know better than I would by experience. I have built small frag tanks but now want to do a 187g

 

[cromag27]

I have a table router and the correct bit, but want the routed edge as it is best for glue compared to just laser cut.

Edit see you know better than I would by experience. I have built small frag tanks but now want to do a 187g

that would be huge to maneuver on a table router, but a hand router would work. forget about lasers for anything that needs to be welded. cnc router is the way to go. the front, back, too and bottom would need to be slightly bigger than needed, then router off the rest after welding. we have a big acrylic thread here where you can read more about good brands and thicknesses and such.

 

[cromag27]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/#post-2599288

 

[speedstar]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/#post-2599288

Thanks

 

[mrpizzaface]

And how is this helpful?

There are plastic suppliers that cut and edge finish that do not do assembly. Not sure what your point is.

I apologize for the lack of clarity in my post. I was hoping to be helpful by trying to dissuade you from going down a road of needless risk. I wouldn't trust the edges of any acrylic that has been cut, routed, and shipped. Acrylic is heavy and the chance of edge damage during shipping is high ( i buy acrylic all the time). I think the same person should do the cutting, routing, and gluing because they can better monitor the quality of the routing and cutting. On something as large as what you are proposing I just wouldn't trust acrylic being prepped by an outside source. Too big of a risk for my taste.

 

[speedstar]

I apologize for the lack of clarity in my post. I was hoping to be helpful by trying to dissuade you from going down a road of needless risk. I wouldn't trust the edges of any acrylic that has been cut, routed, and shipped. Acrylic is heavy and the chance of edge damage during shipping is high ( i buy acrylic all the time). I think the same person should do the cutting, routing, and gluing because they can better monitor the quality of the routing and cutting. On something as large as what you are proposing I just wouldn't trust acrylic being prepped by an outside source. Too big of a risk for my taste.

Thanks definitely something to keep in mind.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I have a table router and the correct bit, but want the routed edge as it is best for glue compared to just laser cut.

Edit see you know better than I would by experience. I have built small frag tanks but now want to do a 187g

I have a cnc router with a 109"×76" cut area. What material and panel sizes do you want? I could ship flat to you and you assemble. Built thousands of tanks as a business for over 30 years.

 

[lapin]

Looking for who I could check out for some acrylic sheet, want to be able to order cut to size with routed edge for gluing. Tapplastics I know of, anyone else?
I am a DIY guy and see no reason why I shouldn't be able to build a tank, especially since it will be inwall and I can hide the seems if needed

Where are you located?
There are a few national plastic suppliers that can supply you sheets of cell cast acrylic.
Here in Austin I use Regal Plastics.
The thinner stuff I can route the edges myself and they dont charge much to do the cuts.
If it is 1/2 or thicker, I dont have the equipment. For that,I have them route the pieces on a CNC machine. Those edges are just fine for bonding. In fact if you are using sci-grip #40 or any other thick mixture for the seams you will have to hit the edges with #400 wet dry sand paper. This gives the #40 a good surface to bond.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I get SMOKING deals on cast acrylic sheets from professional plastics.