looking for cheap acrylic

[curlyq]

I'm just finalizing plans to build my own sump, and am looking for cheap suppliers of acrylic or plexiglass in the cities area. Anybody know where I can pick some up and not have it cost me an arm and a leg? (probably looking for 1/4 or 3/8)

[Redwinger]

Depending on the size pieces you need check around at all the plastic shops for scraps.

[curlyq]

I guess I'm not even really sure where the plastic shops are. The only place I've seen acrylic is at home depot or menards. Where/what are the specialty stores I should be looking at?

[Redwinger]

a1 acrylics, crown plastics, aeromat. The stuff from home depot is usually extruded and you want cast acrylic.

[sea monkey]

the people at A1 are more helpful with people who have no idea what they are doing and will cut the pieces to size for you for a flat charge of $10

[David Grigor]

At A1 they only have business hours so you have to get them before 5pm on weekdays. Fridays they close earlier. Very friendly Mom and Pop business, no question is a stupid question when you visit there. A1 does have scrap ( $1 a pound ) and as long as you don't plan the sump to be more than 12" tall you can most always find scrap that would work for the sides. However if bottom if more than 12" wide you would likely have to pay full price for those pieces.

Don't forget there still is a yellow pages that you can look for a plastic/acrylic shop near you.

[curlyq]

That's the kind of info I was looking for. I did a yellow pages search, but the online book came up with lots of junki. I'll try A1 I think once I have things nailed down. Thanks!

[morty]

I bought 4' x 8' sheets of 3/8" cast acrylic for ~$160/sheet at Laird Plastics (http://www.lairdplastics.com/) in Arden Hills (recommended to me by reefstock).

[kvmn]

anyone here know how to cut acrylic shet ,,what tools do you use to cut and to smooth it? i am trying to make a refugium here ,,help please thanks

[storrisch]

table saw w/ a fine tooth blade and a router

www.melevsreef.com has some good info on it

[David Grigor]

40tooth carbide blades work pretty well. Can then use a router to clean the edges or just scrap the edge with a paint scraper to file off the saw teeth marks before glueing.

Being able to work with acrylic to make misc. stuff is a very good asset to have in this hobby so I highly encourage giving it a try.

[Sizzlersonthebrain]

if you have a lot of time on your hands a butter nife will cut it too....... don't ask lol

[REEFSTOCK]

KVMN, its going to help us a lot if you post the city you live in on here. Of course only pm your number and addresses if your not in the private forum.

:)
-Fritz

[kvmn]

sorry i am new here ,,ok i did changed,,thanks

[Taklu]

If I want to build a 21" x 21" x 21" cube in acrylic, whats minimum thickness I should be using?

Is the acrylic (plexiglass?) thats sold at lowes/home depot... good enuf... dont plan the tank to last a lifetime but should atleast last 5-8 years without yellowig or losing clarity.

[clownnut]

21",i will do at least 1/2". the acrylic they sell at home depot or lowes are not cast acrylic, you shouldnt use that to build tank.

[REEFSTOCK]

You can PM Amand, he may have some 1/2" on hand for a good price. I'd do 1/2".

[Amand]

I may have some extra down the road but until I figure out exactly what I have and what I will need I won't be selling any and it probably won't be much if any leftover.

[Taklu]

Whats a good place to pick up a 1/4" thick sheet..like say 4' x 8' size...
anybody know of any sale thats on?

[David Grigor]

Lairds that was previously mentioned usually has the better prices for full sheets.

[clownnut]

Lairds that was previously mentioned usually has the better prices for full sheets.

+1:agree:

[ksarauer]

I have almost a full sheet of 1/4 that I would be interrested in selling, I'll check the dimensions. I believe it's about 6 or 7 feet, by a full 48"

[Goldpony75]

What color and how much?I have almost a full sheet of 1/4 that I would be interrested in selling, I'll check the dimensions. I believe it's about 6 or 7 feet, by a full 48"

[Taklu]

I have almost a full sheet of 1/4 that I would be interrested in selling, I'll check the dimensions. I believe it's about 6 or 7 feet, by a full 48"

Cast acrylic?

[ksarauer]

The acrylic is clear, and yes it is cast acrylic.

It's Acrylic GP, which is a harder cast acrylic, that is not supposed to scratch as easily (at least that's what they told me)

The actual size of the sheet is 82 1/4 x 51. Not sure what it's going for now a days, but I believe I paid ~140 for the sheet (oversized 4x8 sheet). How does 100 sound? I'm open...

[ksarauer]

Also, I used it for building sumps and water holding tanks.