need a source for round plexiglass or acrylic

gmarshall139

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May 12, 2004
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Virginia
I need a source for cut acrylic or plexiglass. It's to cover the led and optics in a headlamp I'm putting together, anyone know where to get it, or a good way to cut it round?
 

sidespill

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May 20, 2003
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above sea level
I missed your other question about cutting. Low speed is the best way. I like handtools (coping saw for round) fine teeth is prefered. If you use powertools on acrylic the friction usually causes a lot of heat that melts the acrylic. however if you can set it to cut slow you can use em.
 

idleprocess

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Feb 29, 2004
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decamped
I've machined acrylic with tabletop sanders and bench grinders (probably not a good way to do it, but I was experimenting as much as I was trying to make something useful), and it does, indeed, like to melt when heated.

I have found that quick cuts with a bandsaw using a small blade (1/8", fine teeth) is allright so long as you're not expecting a finished edge.

I've done an OK job polishing edges with a sequence of 300-grit then 600-grit sandpaper followed by quite a bit of time under a bench grinder buffing wheel. It's laborious, and I'm sure there's a better way.
 

NewBie

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Feb 18, 2004
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[ QUOTE ]
idleprocess said:
I've machined acrylic with tabletop sanders and bench grinders (probably not a good way to do it, but I was experimenting as much as I was trying to make something useful), and it does, indeed, like to melt when heated.

I have found that quick cuts with a bandsaw using a small blade (1/8", fine teeth) is allright so long as you're not expecting a finished edge.

I've done an OK job polishing edges with a sequence of 300-grit then 600-grit sandpaper followed by quite a bit of time under a bench grinder buffing wheel. It's laborious, and I'm sure there's a better way.

[/ QUOTE ]

after that, run it quickly over some 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3500 grit, and then it will buff up in seconds. If you don't want to spend a little time, try 1000, 2000, 3500

I like to do mine wet. Finer grit sandpapers can be found in the autobody sections of many places, even Wal-Mart.

Also check out http://www.astraproducts.com/i_arcoat.htm
for a Hard Coat Acrylic with dual sided Anti-Reflection coatings to enhance light transmission, much like UCL.
" Transmission 98% "
 
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