Does anyone here have some 1/4" thick Plexiglas (acrylic) on hand, and the tools to cut it? I need a piece that is 3.25" x 0.75". I will gladly pay for it.
Ray,
Home Depot has clear acrylic in 11x 14 for less then $10.00. I use the lexan for windows. More than you need right now but it comes in handy. Cost kind of depends on how thick you need it.
I have lexan on hand, Ray. Want some? I tried a few other things and ended up really liking the lexan…
Paul, thanks. I already have some acrylic, I just don’t have the tools to cut it precisely.
Jim, how well does the Lexan hold up to sunlight? Is it 1/4" thick?
Lexan is just a brand name for a type of acrylic sheet. There are also brands of polycarbonite sheet. Acrylic is less brittle, but will yellow over time in sun. Polycarbonite is brittle, but does not yellow. Thicknesses over say 3mm of both should cut OK using wood tools, but may need sanding to get a nice edge. Flame treating gives a glass edge but forget doing it by hand! Laser cut is the smoothest.
I probably have some and can cut on my table saw with a 100 tooth blade. Let me know if I should hunt some down, AND if you want clear or white. There are other colors but I doubt I have them.
Ray:
I used the lexan in my Mackenzie’s Mercantile general store main windows. So far they are still clear as a bell. I’ll need to measure the thickness and get back to you. Seems to me it is not 1/4" thick.
That picture is from when it was brand spanking new.
I’ll see if I can get a picture now after it has been out in the weather a bit (not continuously, but some).
I’m not sure that the clear acrylics will yellow, but white certainly does after a few years full exposure to sunlight.
OK, went and measured: 3/64th so pretty thin.
Here’s a picture of what it looks like now on the layout. Seems to be holding up ok. But we’re not talking years here. Probably weeks outdoors.
Sorry it is a bit hard to see, but they are still clear and nice. Maybe someday I’ll have an interior with lighting to look at. But the windows are clear.
1/4" acrylic is pretty tough to score and snap…Prefer the table saw with the blade turned around for cutting that thickness… What are the plans Ray ?
Paul Burch said:
Ray,
Home Depot has clear acrylic in 11x 14 for less then $10.00. I use the lexan for windows. More than you need right now but it comes in handy. Cost kind of depends on how thick you need it.
1/4" thick
Thanks guys. According to all the info I’ve found via Google, Lexan is polycarbonate and tends to yellow. Plexiglas is acrylic is less likely to yellow and is also more scratch-resistant. So acrylic is what I need.
The project is a lighted sign for a building. I need clean, square cuts for this. It’s too tough to cut by hand, and the only power tool I have is a saber saw. Past experience attempting to use the saber saw has produced less than desirable results.
I want it 1/4" thick so I can drill into the edge and insert LEDs.
Cool project, Ray! I look forward to seeing your build…
Ray
I can easily cut you an 1/8" piece acrylic but I have no 1/4" on hand …if you want it PM me your address and I will send it to you.
Ray Dunakin said:
Thanks guys. According to all the info I’ve found via Google, Lexan is polycarbonate and tends to yellow. Plexiglas is acrylic is less likely to yellow and is also more scratch-resistant. So acrylic is what I need.
The project is a lighted sign for a building. I need clean, square cuts for this. It’s too tough to cut by hand, and the only power tool I have is a saber saw. Past experience attempting to use the saber saw has produced less than desirable results.
I want it 1/4" thick so I can drill into the edge and insert LEDs.
Ray, I have had very good luck with Tap Plastics. They cut pieces to the exact size I had requested with an added benefit of being square!
Jon Radder said:
I’m not sure that the clear acrylics will yellow, but white certainly does after a few years full exposure to sunlight.
I can answer that Jon as I built my (1:1 interior storm windows from clear acrylic 10 years ago +)
Never mind …just saying
Thanks Rooster. I don’t think the 1/8" stuff will work for this project.
Bruce, does TAP do orders for something so small?
Edit: Nevermind, I just tried to order some from their website and it doesn’t accept 3/4" width.
Pretty sure I have what is sold as 1/4" and thicker up to 1/2" and can cut to 3/4". White or clear?
Thanks Jon. Clear, please. If possible I’d like two pieces in case I screw one up.
Ray Dunakin said:
Thanks Jon. Clear, please. If possible I’d like two pieces in case I screw one up.
And I’ll probably cut 5 or 6 just to sure I get it right. Will rip 3/4" strips then chop them. PM me your address when you get a minute. I won’t get to this until tomorrow.
Ray Dunakin said:
Thanks Rooster. I don’t think the 1/8" stuff will work for this project.
Bruce, does TAP do orders for something so small?
Edit: Nevermind, I just tried to order some from their website and it doesn’t accept 3/4" width.
I always spoke with Russ Miller and he made custom cuts, but there’s probably some minimum. I am not at my computer right now, but I think that’s the right name…