Aaron-Betta Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hi all, I am trying to make an acrylic overflow box but i'm a bit hesitant about what sort of glue to construct it with that wont leech anything into the water or is it easier to try and fuse or plastic weld with a small soldering iron? Any help or ideas appreciated. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 You use Weldon which recreates the chemical bonds between the two pieces of acrylic. Have a look at the youtube videos on the subject. Dunno where you get it in NZ though ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamstar99 Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Most brands, Holdfast, Selleys etc have "aquarium Silicone". Silicone for glass is an acid cure silicone and should stick acrylic as well. Not sure if there is any difference between "glass" and "Aquarium" Silicone apart from the labels on the tubes. My tanks are made with "glass" silicone. Two different techniques with plastic welding and silicone joints. Siliconing would be easiest in my view. you need to leave a gap between your joins if using silicone as this is where the strength is. Plastic solvents and welding rods are available but i reckon have more chance of failing unless you are pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 maybe on here somewhere http://www.glueguru.co.nz/shop.php?func=44&S=e964a1d702ded59ed51b74c185876a29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hi all, I am trying to make an acrylic overflow box but i'm a bit hesitant about what sort of glue to construct it with that wont leech anything into the water or is it easier to try and fuse or plastic weld with a small soldering iron? Any help or ideas appreciated. Aaron The usual cement used for PVC plumbing should be fine, I think that works with acrylic and it doesn't leach anything toxic once it's set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Silicone cant be used for acrylic, it will let go after a few days/weeks. It has to be an acrylic cement (dont know if the PVC ones would work?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron-Betta Posted April 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 so any sort of acrylic cement should be ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 can apparently also use liquid paint stripper instead of Weldon http://blog.makezine.com/2011/09/26/using-liquid-paint-stripper-as-acrylic-cement/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 You want IPS weldon #16. Try Mulfords plastics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishy-fish Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 You want IPS weldon #16. Try Mulfords plastics. +1 weldon from mulfords is what you need :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamstar99 Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Silicone cant be used for acrylic, it will let go after a few days/weeks. It has to be an acrylic cement (dont know if the PVC ones would work?) There are plenty of suitable silicones for acrylics. Its just a matter of finding an "aquarium" product that will do it. Can always just do a test piece first. Heres some thing that could be helpful too. http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiytank/bndiytank.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 It is called weldon because it is acrylic disolved with a solvent that will also disolve the surface of the acrylice you are glueing. The solvent will then evapourate and leave a "weld" of acrylic. Same idea as welding metal or more particularly PVC. Any silicone I ever tried was no good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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