Finally Building my sump...

[BitOrder]

OK, after a year of makeshift sumps and failed glass sumps, I've decided to try my hand a a "HOMEDADE" acrylic sump.

Questions,
1/4 plastic, is it easy to work with?

Now this is what I have so far.

Weld-on #16 (seems what the board recomends)
research about plastic cutting, at least an 5-8 tooth per inch blade with negative angle (like I know what that means)

I am buying a table saw and the blade tonight.
2 clamps (36")


Is their anything I might be forgeting?

thank you

 

[NasotheHutt]

Sand paper! I believe that the "negative" angle on the blade, simply means no rake. Are you buying a belt driven or direct drive table saw? Direct drive tends to have more vibration transfered to the blade, and can be tough with acrylic. Sand your edges smooth, before you Weld-On! Down to 600 grit, I mean SMOOTH!!!! You will be thankfull later! Are you drilling your bulkhead fittings before or after it's built, if after look into a RotoZip! Other than that, polish up your patience!!

HTH
Scott

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: NasotheHutt ]</p>

 

[liquid]

Considering you don't know what a negative angle is on a sawblade, I suggest you read the following url's before you go out and buy anything:

http://www.sdplastics.com/acrylic.html

http://www.ipscorp.com/wo_html/howto.html

http://www.ecomplastics.com/plexprim.html

http://www.cyro.com/Internet/SiteContent.nsf/LiteraturePage!OpenPage#tech

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38083&high light=working+with+acrylic

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/search.php?s=&a ction=showresults&searchid=147352&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

The 5th URL down is a very comprehensive list of how to cut, glue, and work with acrylic.

You are also going to need a LOT more clamps than just two. You need to provide adequate pressure all the way down the joint that you make and in general you want as many clamps down that joint as possible. The pro's, I believe, use clamps every couple inches. And when working with clamps, you want to make it so they're barely holding the joint otherwise you'll have too much adhesive squeeze out and it'll form a weak joint.

FWIW, I'd be leary about sanding the edges before glueing them together with Weldon. Sanding will make the edges smooth, however, it will also round your edges too which will weaken the joint. You want the edges to butt up flush across the entire width of the edge otherwise the adhesive has to fill in this gap. The best thing to do is to buy a blade specifically for cutting acrylic (they cost around $80 - $100) and make sure you cut right the first time. If you use the right blade, there should be minimal edge work that you need to do.

hth

Shane
liquid on #reefs

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: LiquidShaneo ]</p>