Screwing with acrylic?

[DaJe]

How would I go about using screws to attach acrylic panels together? My case is made entirely out of acrylic, and the screws go into threaded holes made of metal. Would I have to find something similar to tat in order for it to atay together with screws?

[tybrenis]

I do NOT recomend driving normal screws into acrylic, it will crack it. Those holes are tapped and have machine screws going into them (bolts). If you want to attach two pieces of acrylic, drill a hole, tap it, and then use a machine screw or bolt to hold them together.

[Moofaa]

Same thing for fan screws?

I wasnt planning on just forcing screws into the acryllic, thats definately a bad idea. But I think you can drill holes first, then put the screws through safely. Might need a special bit for this. Thats how the screw holes in the window of my current case are, they arent tapped.

[tybrenis]

You can do it, but you have to be very very careful, even when you pre-drill first. I highly recomend against it - the case that I have now uses tapped holes as does my last, pre-built acrylic case. As for fan screw, you can generally just use normal screws as fans are rarely acrylic, and if they are, they all ready have large holes drilled in them, so you won't get the cracking.

[DaJe]

What do you mean by "tap"?

[xmastree]

Tapping is the action of cutting a thread in a hole. You need a tap to do this. In fact, if you're doing blind holes you really need a set of three, since the first one you use is tapered for ease of entry, but won't go to the bottom of the hole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taps_and_dies#Tap

[DaJe]

I have another acrylic question. Is scoring a good way of cutting acrylic?

[Bucko]

I have another acrylic question. Is scoring a good way of cutting acrylic?


Only if the chick has a saw.

[DaJe]

You make a joke with scoring, but couldn't go with screwing >_>


And I might as well keep all my acrylic questions in one thread. How could I polish the edges of a piece of acrylic to make them more clear?

[Moofaa]

I think theres a tutorial on this site that will answer all your acryillic questions. And yes, scoring and snapping seems to be an OK way to cut your acryllic. Leaves a clear edge that you wouldnt get with a sawblade or dremel. Also I read somewhere about a technique called "flame polishing" but dont ask me how to do it.

[DaJe]

I read about flame polishing, but I don't want to mess up and melt it or get it out of shape.

[tybrenis]

Hey guys. Bring this thread back up tomorrow when I haven't done a 3 hour musical followed by a crazy party and I'll give you an in depth description of flame polishing and cutting acrylic. As for now... scoring is only acceptable in acrylic 1/8" and thinner, and flame polishing isn't as bad as it seems, but there are other ways too. Just someone bump this thread tomorrow morning.

[DaJe]

What was the musical about? And the thickness of this acrylic, I don't know what to call it, but it's one little line less than 1/4 of an inch on the tape measure.

[tybrenis]

It's probably 3/8". It was Seussical the Musical, and I was the lead. It's been a long two months.... probably the reason I haven't been on the forums. However, it was the last show tonight.

[Bucko]

3/8" is bigger than 1/4"
It's probably metric and is 5mm (1/4" is about 6.5mm).

[DaJe]

Okay, turns out I messed up my measurement before. It's really 1/8", or 5mm.



Proof


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/subwoofer/PICT7633.JPG

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/subwoofer/PICT7635.JPG

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/subwoofer/PICT7638.JPG

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/subwoofer/PICT7640.JPG

[Bucko]

Your tape measure shows it is 1/4", not 1/8".

[DaJe]

Dammit. At least we all know now.

[PiGMaN]

IVe used screws into acrylic heaps of times ..the trick is u gotta pre drill holes and the acrylic has to be resonably thick not the thin stuff.

[Daruvian]

This won't work for attaching the panels together... But if you want to mount say a fan to the acrylic... The best way I've found is to just plain drill a hole through it... Slightly larger than your screws... Put a rubber washer between the fan and acrylic and between the acrylic and screw head to take the pressure off the acrylic... I've run into 0 problems this way...

[DaJe]

Well I will need to attach to speaker to one side. And I would like to be able to open up one side, which is why I want to screw one side. I don't see why it wouldn't work. My computer case, which is made entirely out of acrylic, is held together by screws. And it is the same thickness or less, than the acrylic panel I'll be making the subwoofer out of.

[danthegeek]

I dont see why it would be a problem either. Just screw the acrlic in like this..
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m65/danthegeek/untitled.jpg
Just predrill the holes and nothing will crack. Id also use a rubber gasket between the edges so you get a better seal.