Quote:
Originally Posted by Gozer_1
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thanks Gozer for the comment. if your going to be gluing plexi together the only way to cut it is either with a table saw...a cnc router or a laser cutter. the reason is they all will provide a very flat surface to surface bond. a fourth acceptable alternative would be with a scoring knife or other means and then running each edge through a jointer to flatten them (not sander).
succesfully gluing plexi and getting decent glue joints depends on how flat and how much each piece to be glued comes in contact with the other piece as the solvent glues simply melts them together where they touch...so essentially if they dont touch or make good contact...the solvent has nothing to melt together.
if you cant cut the material on a tablesaw i would recomend figuring out what size pieces you need and having them cut from a plexi supplier if possible.
that being said it doesn't mean you cant score and glue your plexi only that the strength and ability to hold water without further repair will be comprimised.
you might try and get your hands on 'extruded' plexi if your ability to cut it is limited. it melts together very easily and will be much more forgiving. unfortunatelly as its lower quality material it also melts easier when machining so be carefull. most every home depot and hobby shop sells it as its cheaper than 'cast' acrylic. you can tell extruded material because when looking at it on edge it appears blue colored. Cast acrylic remains clear or close to it when looking at it on edge.
as for drilling...there are special drill bits made for drilling plexi. the point one one of these is ground at a 90degree angle and the flukes are ground wider and deeper to remove more material, quickly. if you can buy one i would suggest it. if not and you have a grinder you could try grinding the point of an old drill bit to a sharper angle. if you absolutelly have to use the bits you have try first drilling a very small pilot hole. 1/16" dia or so. then place the piece to be drilled on a solid scrap of wood and drill half way through on one side...flip the piece and do the same. try not to push the bit all the way through either side as it could chip the material as it exits. metal and wood bits have a very shallow point angle (30 degrees i think) this shallow angle is just not made to drill through brittle plastics.
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