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Post by breslinmr on Jul 13, 2017 2:10:04 GMT
I would be interested in doing couple off these acrylic signswith led lights in them when I get my machine, has anybody done these before and have any advice. Was looking on eBay at materials ect. I see my reno depot has acrylic but it 4.5 mm does this seem to be a bit to thin or would it be ok? Also what bits would people use and depths and speeds ect ?
Maybe I should learn to walk before I can run as the saying goes but really like the look of these signs
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Post by Derek the Admin on Jul 13, 2017 4:17:32 GMT
I don't do them but one piece of advice I will give is to watch out for what type of acrylic it is. Extruded acrylic is terrible at machining, It just melts to the cutter too easily. Cast acrylic on the other hand is very machinable. Extruded is usually cheaper than cast acrylic, so I'd expect anything at your home improvement store to be extruded.
I think the thickness would be okay. I like single flutes, O flutes, or sometimes a 2 flute for plastics.
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Post by breslinmr on Jul 13, 2017 5:00:26 GMT
Yeah I seen something about different types of acrylic but wasn't sure thanks for the advise much appreciated 👍
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Post by andrew on Jul 13, 2017 12:53:43 GMT
I've read that people use diamond drag bits for etching those edge lit signs..
Not even really sure what a drag bit is, but that's what I've read.
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Post by breslinmr on Jul 13, 2017 14:24:23 GMT
I've read that people use diamond drag bits for etching those edge lit signs.. Not even really sure what a drag bit is, but that's what I've read. Yeah have read that to but read others just saying they use vbit and ball nose also that there's no need for drag bits lol. suppose it personal preference but might be worth a try as these drag bits are expensive 😳 |
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Post by retrosmith on Jul 15, 2017 4:41:51 GMT
I've worked with a lot of acrylic, and while I haven't used a CNC on it yet I've machined a lot of it with a router on a router table. Absolutely second what Derek said here: extruded acrylic is less than useless for machining. Cast acrylic is denser, harder, has a MUCH higher melting point, and polishes more easily also. Cast costs a little more but it's twice as easy to use.
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Post by breslinmr on Jul 15, 2017 16:34:38 GMT
I was looking in my local hardware store that have acrylic but dont say if it's cast or not and they don't have a clue themselves lol
So I would just assume that these would be the cheaper acrylic.
So might try and find a window company locally and see if they have any, even might have cutoffs they would sell or donate to a good cause lol 👍
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Post by Derek the Admin on Jul 15, 2017 21:00:42 GMT
You might want to see if you can find a plastics supplier up there in Canada that well sell you smaller quantities. Sometimes quarter sheets aren't too expensive and they can be cut down further on a table saw.
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Post by breslinmr on Jul 29, 2017 2:06:17 GMT
Makrolon POLYCARBONATE SHEET, has any body used this material before or would I be better going with acrylic cast
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Post by aforww on Jul 29, 2017 2:33:42 GMT
As long as it's a cast. However, I can't seem to locate anything that says which it is.
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Post by jkendall on Jul 29, 2017 4:23:15 GMT
ThyssenKrupp sells in the land up North. As does McMaster Carr. Both sell cast acrylics.
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Post by aforww on Jul 29, 2017 5:01:37 GMT
What about Amazon? How do they fare on shipping to Canada? Or purchase through eBay and find good shipping deals.
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Post by aforww on Jul 29, 2017 5:02:10 GMT
ThyssenKrupp sells in the land up North. As does McMaster Carr. Both sell cast acrylics. I order only what I absolutely have to from McMaster. Generally their prices are absurd. |
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Post by jkendall on Jul 29, 2017 5:36:01 GMT
ThyssenKrupp sells in the land up North. As does McMaster Carr. Both sell cast acrylics. I order only what I absolutely have to from McMaster. Generally their prices are absurd. Guy wanted a source. I didn't say it wasn't highway robbery. |
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Post by aforww on Jul 29, 2017 5:42:04 GMT
Lol fair enough.
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