PEPPIE's New 120 Acrylic Build

[Scooterman]

So what, you quit the tank build to prepare some rocks?? LOL:smokin:

 

[kpiotrowski]

following....even though I am 2 miles away lol.

 

[Pepcrylic]

love the coffee cup! Also is that a streak of blood on the belt sander?

Grandson gave me the coffee mug for Xmas last year.
No blood on the sander...lots of fingernail dust... but no blood...yet.

 

[Pepcrylic]

R u done yet? LOL
-d

Check back on Sunday

 

[Pepcrylic]

Yea Scoot,
I had to lay out the rock to see if I had enough to cover the back, and left wall.
I will get back to that part of the build later.

 

[kpiotrowski]

Sunday??? Thought you were on vacation diving exotic reefs? are you avoiding me lol?

 

[Pepcrylic]

following....even though I am 2 miles away lol.

Good to know,
I may need a hand in the near future.
Need some help getting rid of this crap

 

[kpiotrowski]

ok, now, THATS funny!

 

[Pepcrylic]

Well I guess I had better post up some pics or some will say it didnt happen.
I rough cut the 3/4'' with the skillsaw and the tablesaw. I just had to set them in place to see how big (or little) this tank will be.

 

[Pepcrylic]

Time to get a templet made to run the router around. I use 1/2'' MDF its flat and leaves a smooth edge right off the table saw. I cut it to the exact height that I want the tank walls. I leave it 3'' longer than the over all length of the tank. I clamp the acrylic panel to the MDF and rout the top and bottom of the front and back panels.


Then I put 3 layers of tape on the edge of the MDF.


Make a pass with the router, remove the tape. Then make a final pass with the router for a flat smooth weldable edge.

 

[tike]

SKILLZZZ!!!! I could never do this myself. But I like following along!

 

[Pepcrylic]

Good to have ya aboard tike,
Its not that hard. I watched a guy do it on U-tube. LOL
Thought I could do it better than him LOL

 

[dailydriven911]

Wow moving right along! Skillz is right wish I had all those tools... oh and your skillz lol

 

[spieszak]

...........

Then I put 3 layers of tape on the edge of the MDF.

Whats the purpose of the tape?

 

[Pepcrylic]

...........




Whats the purpose of the tape?

I put three layers of tape on for the first cut with the router. Then I pull the tape off to make the last cut. Cutting a very small amount of acrylic with the router will give you a smoother finish, much less torch on the router bit, which reduces flex and vibration.

 

[spieszak]

I understand the what, I don't understand the why.
(I won't continue to ask.. I don't intend on building any tanks or anything.. its just curiosity)

 

[Pepcrylic]

The first cut with the router will cut approx. 3/8'' of material. A lot buy my standards. The last cut without the tape will will cut approx. 1/128". It will leave a smoother cut by routing less material.

 

[Pepcrylic]

Time to weld up some seams

 

[spieszak]

got it. thanks for the clarification!

 

[tike]

You r just movin on this build!