Some homemade attys and genesis

[asdaq]

I sure hope not for drilling out the rod. If a shop is going to do drilling I'd have them cut the lengths too. guaranteed precision and they probably want a longer workpiece in the beginning anyhow.

Although, that mitre box is a lot better than mine.

 

[Quick1]

I sure hope not for drilling out the rod. If a shop is going to do drilling I'd have them cut the lengths too. guaranteed precision and they probably want a longer workpiece in the beginning anyhow.

Although, that mitre box is a lot better than mine.

I'm not even considering solid rod. But now that you guys found a source for the tubing I just need a way to get a nice square cut. It's not really critical but having your tank off at an angle looks really odd... So a hand miter box should be more than adequate. Cut/saw very gently to avoid micro fractures and smooth/polish with some very fine sand paper on a flat surface.

 

[Gummy Bear]

I wonder what the best speed and feed rate would be for turning the rod into tubing and still have it transparent?

 

[asdaq]

Quick, that will work fine, for plexi it is good to tape well and use a fine tooth saw delicately and preferably only in one direction. Sanding really doesn't need to be that fine, #120 to start even. It's the cutting in the middle portion that is the worst.

 

[Dave_uk]

I wonder what the best speed and feed rate would be for turning the rod into tubing and still have it transparent?

I've tried lots of speeds Gummy, I've found that none work ..lol

So its a case of either turn / drill / mill and then sand & polish to restore the transparency

The only tip I can give is that a stick with a slot in it is ideal for wrapping paper on for internal sanding.

 

[Gummy Bear]

I have shaped and polished some gemstones before so I thought it would end up like that.

 

[asdaq]

I've tried lots of speeds Gummy, I've found that none work ..lol

So its a case of either turn / drill / mill and then sand & polish to restore the transparency

The only tip I can give is that a stick with a slot in it is ideal for wrapping paper on for internal sanding.

Hmm, like a 16mm broomstick... To get the transparency back, what sort of polish would one need? Something tells me 2000 grit paper isn't enough either.

 

[Quick1]

Hmm, like a 16mm broomstick... To get the transparency back, what sort of polish would one need? Something tells me 2000 grit paper isn't enough either.

haha, if you wanted to sand the entire inner surface at one time.

Flap wheel is what it's called in dremel terms. I would expect 2000 to get you really close. After that a bit of automotive rubbing counpound should make it look like glass. it's easy to burn/melt it with power tools.

 

[Gummy Bear]

Hmm, like a 16mm broomstick... To get the transparency back, what sort of polish would one need? Something tells me 2000 grit paper isn't enough either.

The stuff for polishing lexan headlight covers is what they recommend but, tooth paste works for polishing gemstones to a glass finish. it's about 25,000 to 50,000 grit.

I was just wondering what speed POC's turner used.

 

[asdaq]

On the end of a tube I just used some 2000 grit, not glass like, but you can certainly see through it.

 

[peaceoffcake]

...
I was just wondering what speed POC's turner used.

I can ask him but my red tube is not so clear. Not even close as transparent tube is clear.

 

[Persis]

Hmm, like a 16mm broomstick... To get the transparency back, what sort of polish would one need? Something tells me 2000 grit paper isn't enough either.

I use for grinding and polishing various creams, but what works best is fine paste polish or toothpaste also. For the inside you can use any element of a bit smaller diameter coated with some soft cloth dipped in paste.

Here are some technical details about the technique of polishing plaxiglas (and other very interestings tips to work on plexiglass) that I could find on the web from my plxi supplier, and luckily the web is also in English.

| Sanding and polishing |

 

[asdaq]

Cool, thanks Persis, quite informative and readable too. Toothpaste and flannel cloth sounds like a promising combination. I wouldn't be surprised if a 'whitening formula' gets that grit count down to about 15000

 

[Teach]

The stuff for polishing lexan headlight covers is what they recommend but, tooth paste works for polishing gemstones to a glass finish. it's about 25,000 to 50,000 grit.

I was just wondering what speed POC's turner used.

Jewelers rouge (polishing compound) should work well at a low speed using a cotton buffer to gain a fine finish… I haven’t tried it yet, but since it’s made to buff precious metals it may work. I’ve got two big blocks, but I can’t remember where I stored it.

It is available at Harbor Freight. They also have the white compound in a single 1/4 pound. PlastX Diminishing Abrasive for plastic may also be an idea.

 

[Turbo]

I use for grinding and polishing various creams, but what works best is fine paste polish or toothpaste also. For the inside you can use any element of a bit smaller diameter coated with some soft cloth dipped in paste.

Here are some technical details about the technique of polishing plaxiglas (and other very interestings tips to work on plexiglass) that I could find on the web from my plxi supplier, and luckily the web is also in English.

| Sanding and polishing |

Thanks for the link. I emailed them on my quest for the elusive blue plexi tubing. So far the US companies that carry Plexi/Acrylic tubing don't want to mess w/ metric measurements... same old story.

 

[Gummy Bear]

LOL Turbo,,, I got tossed out of a tool rental shop in Savanna Ga. one time for asking to rent a torque wrench that went up to 2000 newton meters. I had to go out and dig out my laptop and convert it to foot pounds and tip toe back in then start all over and really kiss his to get him to rent it to me.

 

[Turbo]

LOL Turbo,,, I got tossed out of a tool rental shop in Savanna Ga. one time for asking to rent a torque wrench that went up to 2000 newton meters. I had to go out and dig out my laptop and convert it to foot pounds and tip toe back in then start all over and really kiss his to get him to rent it to me.

Hah, why we don't about the metric system is beyond me, it's so much easier. I was even willing to convert the numbers for him but he kept cutting me off (and then just spewed out a ridiculous figure that was nowhere close to my requirements). And their motto was 'we do what others can't'....lmao

 

[Persis]

Turbo, I dont know if they accept international orders, they are manufacturers and wholesalers, and even dont make local shipping, I have spoken with them by phone and they have sold to me only because I bought other acrylic products for other things about my job, but they told to me about a reseller for minor purchases, and found that this shop was five minutes from my house in a commercial area where in a block are about 10 shops selling only acrylic products in all shapes and sizes, national made and imported. There are stores that provide materials to build tradeshows stands.

Now, there's something you should know, acrylic tubes have a problem: The margin of error or measurement diference is quite large for its system of manufacture (extruded) and a tube of 20mm OD x 2mm wall maybe vary between one batch to another, that happened to me, one strip come with 19.7 x 1.95 and another 2.05 x 20.1 and this last tube dont fit in his place, BE CAREFUL WITH THIS. And it happened to me with both local made tubes and with some imported from Germany. Maybe I had bad luck but I clarify this because if you want to buy tubes for use in a mod already done might not fit well.

Sorry for my English.

 

[Turbo]

Good info, I see there's a difference between cast and extruded tubing. Would cast have more stable measurements?

I guess I need a place that will sell minor purchases to the US... any ideas?

 

[Persis]

Good info, I see there's a difference between cast and extruded tubing. Would cast have more stable measurements?
Exactly, but unfortunately, they have told to me smaller diameter tubes are all for Extrusion, by casting only more than 30mm OD.

I guess I need a place that will sell minor purchases to the US... any ideas?
Yes, sure you will can to find one. Look for "expo stands builders". (I dont know if it is the correct denomination)

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