quesions on acrylics like plexiglass

[Ritch40]

Has anyone ever worked with acrylics like plexiglass or polycarbonate?

i was wondering what all works best to cut and trim it. I was thinking about mirroring some for a "T" port on a box i plan to start building soon. I was also curious as to what adhesives work will to laminate it to wood.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions, ideas and help that you folks could offer.

[biscuitownz]

Haven't used acrylic too much but polycarbonate can be cut with a jigsaw or something of the like. It's also basically unbreakable, but it scratches.

[audiofanaticz]

table saw, circular saw, jigsaw last resort with a fine tooth bit to prevent the jagged up and down vibrations that will stress crack thinner pieces.

can use a router as well to get rounded over corners, chamfer, etc.

Make sure to leave the protective papers on both sides until your 100% your done cutting and test fitting.

Pretty much any construction adhesive will work to bond it to wood, something like Loctite PL Premium 3X would do fine.

[Ritch40]

cool deal. thanks for the help guys. i will have to grab some of that adhesive and try it once with the coating that will be applied to that backside of the acrylic. I just have concerns of the 2 not reacting well together. The last thing i want is issues that create unwanted noise.

[Triticum Agricolam]

I've used 3/4" acrylic and it is pretty easy to work using regular woodworking tools. I prefer acrylic since it's more resistant to scratches and won't yellow with age like polycarbonate can. While polycarbonate is stronger in tensile strength and is just about unbreakable, acrylic is stiffer, which is what's important for our uses, and is less expensive as well.

[Ritch40]

this will be thin light weight stuff. I just want to mirror coat it, then line all the walls of my port with it. Then I will just have to sort out how i want to light it.

Thanks for the information!!

[redwolf2]

You could do a thicker setup and light the edges of it? Would give off a nice even glow in the port, but you'd have to calculate it in your building

[Soccerballzs]

If using a table saw use a triple chip alternate bevel made for plastic. You can sand the edges up to 320 then heat edge lightly with a torch to get a glass look. In my build for SOTM there is a pic of amp box with plexiglass that has been heated on edge.