tank building club

[bareefers]

I'm a new poster here on BAR. My name is Dave, and I live in El Cerrito.

I'm debating building 2 identical acrylic tanks (60"x24"x16"). My problem is that I don't have a tablesaw big enough to cut the pieces my design calls for. I've made little overflows and bozes and even a small sump once on my little contractor's tablesaw but nothing like what I want to cut now.

I've got a decent set of tools (clamps, router, glue, etc...)

Anybody ever get together to build tanks and sumps? Sure it's bold, but what the hell, sounds like fun. And a good way to meet some new people and learn some tricks. Anybody out there into this sort of challenge?

dave

 

[sfsuphysics]

If you have a table big enough to hold the pieces, use a router with a small cutting bit to do all your cutting, it'll definately take longer, but if you slap down a guide rail you should get a cut as straight as any table saw cut, and if you go slow enough (without burning) you should get it cleaner.

 

[GreshamH]

Most people use a router to clean up their edges with acrylic. I do two 1/16" passes and keep all rough cuts to over 1/4" of size needed.

 

[bareefers]

Is it hard to rip a 4' wide panel in half with a router?

I could build a custom table with smooth top, just would have to get the fence real straight.

thanks
dave

 

[sfsuphysics]

It's not terribly hard as long as there's support on both sides so the ripped piece doesn't snap off should be no issues, just have to use the right bit.

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Rough cut with a skilsaw and a good plastic blade so the chips clear and don't melt into the kerf. Then clean up with a carbide edge flush trim router bit.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Yeah another question is how much waste is acceptable? Are you expecting to cut a 4 foot wide section into 2 2 foot wide sections? because you might want to plan for atleast a half inch of waste/trim product you're going to use up from both sides.

 

[bareefers]

thanks, got a hit on cutting the sheets on a big saw, will clean up with router.

Got the math all figured out - remember not all MFG 4' wide sheets are 4' wide...

 

[GreshamH]

They are in acrylic most the time. Actually, I have never seen one sold as 4' being wider then 4'.

 

[bareefers]

Polycast comes in bigger sizes. Cyro is (and always has been) more along the advertised size. Just a little tidbit of info...

Thanks. Probably be able to post something in 2-3 weeks. Or faster if I can't control myself!

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Yeah, some brands come oversized.

 

[bareefers]

Been a little out of the loop with a new baby girl!!

Earlier in the post I was trolling for larger tablesaw time. After about 12 months periodically trolling Craigslist I finally found a good deal. The tablesaw was wired for 220 (but could easily be rewired for 110). Since I wanted some 220 for my garage setup anyway I left the tablesaw on the side and installed a new subpanel. That work was just completed. I was planning on this a little later in the system build, but I think this is going to work out better (facilities ready before equipment install!!)

Now I can run my soon-to-be new setup off that feed. But before I can run it, I'm back to having to cut my panels. They're sitting in the garage, and they won't be big sheets past the weekend!

 

[capescuba]

Been a little out of the loop with a new baby girl!!

Congratulations - I have barely found time to do a water change, never mind build a new tank with my new son :shock: