Page 4 of 5
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:02 pm
by BillyGoat
merlin50 wrote:if jebus197 can not understand what i am saying this must be a wind up or he is ...... com on mods ban me if you must i have better things to do than help thoes that are beyond helping
what's going on Merlin - am I missing some part of the conversation? Why would you be banned for helping? Top work...
BG
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:10 pm
by big-all
ok lateral thinking that will work
coloured card or paper and a laminater

Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:24 pm
by moderator2
merlin50 wrote:if jebus197 can not understand what i am saying this must be a wind up or he is ...... com on mods ban me if you must i have better things to do than help thoes that are beyond helping
I'll ban you if that's what you really want

Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:43 pm
by jebus197
merlin50 wrote:cut with a tile cutter, not a very good photo
So CD cases won't work. But please recall there was some debate as some people were under the firm assumption that a diamond bladed tile cutter would do the job. Equally, others were unconvinced. But many things in life can never be certain until they are tested! However it is still good work! I commend and thank you for your effort. It's nice to see someone actually test something out!
On another note I've looked at Polypropylene sheets. You can see an example of these here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... TQ:GB:1123
They are stated as being 500 µm (.5 mm) to 1mm thick, and the ad says they can be cut to any size or shape etc. But I would prefer something with the stiffness of (as I said) something equivalent to a plastic ruler and I have no idea how stiff this stuff is. I've seen plastic folder wallets before, and they were much too flexible and prone to damage to be useful. Also sometimes when you cut some types of thin plastics like this into small shapes, they have a slight tendency to curl under different temperature conditions. But the fact of the matter is I have no idea how effective this might be. Plastics is not my field. I guess I could ask her to send a sample however.
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:49 pm
by BillyGoat
????
merlin said it DID work, but the PHOTO was bad...
:Lol :
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:51 pm
by jebus197
big-all wrote:ok lateral thinking that will work
coloured card or paper and a laminater

Yes but if you laminated a sheet of card and then cut the laminated card into shapes, wouldn't the laminate just eventually (or quickly) peel off?
I'm not sure how laminating machines work, but presumably they rely to some extent on the seal around the edge of the card, and in pushing all of the air out to create a vacuum between the two halves of the laminate? Since cardboard and paper is permeable, isn't this (at least in part) what keeps the seal between the paper and plastic firmly in place?
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:53 pm
by jebus197
BillyGoat wrote:????
merlin said it DID work, but the PHOTO was bad...
:Lol :
Well it doesn't look like a straight line! So it does work after all? Yes the photo isn't very good. The problem from looking at this photo is that there appears to be a large curved 'cut' and a potentially 'chipped' edge.
It rather looks like what you would expect to see from a shattered CD jewel case.
But if the message is 'it cuts like butter and can cut any shape' then I am more than happy to buy in!
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:57 pm
by kellys_eye
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:59 pm
by jebus197
Great try! Thanks! Sadly these are 3D and not flat 2D shapes, so not quite what's needed.
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:28 pm
by jebus197
Cracked it! Forget CD cases, I used DVD cases instead. Softer plastic, can be cut with scissors, can get solid and transparent cases, exactly the right stiffness, not so stiff as to form shards and hurt kids. Job done!
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:30 pm
by Someone-Else
Laminators work by heating the lamination "pouch" and since its hot, one side sticks to the other, and anything that is in-between.
Damn, I want that 8 minutes back i just wasted doing the above.
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:54 pm
by jebus197
someone-else wrote:Laminators work by heating the lamination "pouch" and since its hot, one side sticks to the other, and anything that is in-between.
Damn, I want that 8 minutes back i just wasted doing the above.
Well it's something to consider. I don't quite understand the negativity however, trying things is never a waste ...
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:13 pm
by merlin50
i said it was a bad photo. i cut things all the time and they are straight.
Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:28 pm
by jebus197
Well finally done (mostly) in plastic. Now to see what does and doesn't work. Thanks guys!

Re: Need some acrylic plastic cut for a science project!
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:19 pm
by Bikergirl
Only just seen this. Glad you found a solution- looks good!
Freecycle or freegle (same thing, called different things in different places) could be a good place to find DVD cases. You often have to pick stuff up, but it's free. Also, a pair of tin snips (
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+To ... d10/sd2410), though designed for cutting metal, are brilliant for cutting plastic. Biscuit tubs or the tubs chocolates come in (roses/celebrations and the like) are also nice sturdy but thin plastic. Usually in red, tho! Probably get these from freecycle, too.
PS It's courtesy to offer something you don't need on freecycle if you're asking- maybe the CD cases
