Basic Acrylic model making for Designers, Architects & Makers

Basic acrylic model making, using a bandsaw, score and snap method, and a table saw with router.
The basic tools and materials to start building models and prototypes with acrylic sheet.

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Luer lock bottles with needles

Music: end credits Rurlyok

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Botzen Design Inc.
Industrial Design and Product Visualization

[elbowdonkey]

I used to build acrylic aquariums. For the best bond, you want really smooth edges, then, as you show, hold your joints together dry, then apply the solvent while the joints are held tight. The solvent gets pulled into the joint using capillary action. If the edges aren't nearly glass smooth, you risk having a slopping joint. To get things glossy smooth, you can sand through grits up to about 600. Then you take a propane torch and just "kiss" the rough edge. Just long enough to knot down any scratches.

[getdirectins]

Great video! One tip I learned from a master acrylic fabricator was to squeeze some air out of the needle bottle before you invert it, then it will draw in air slowly until you squeeze it, keeps the solvent from going everywhere every time you invert the bottle and helps you get the solvent only where you need it!

[mkegadgets]

Thank you for showing three different ways of making these boxes. I never want to make an acrylic box before today. Now I want to, thanks for giving me the confidence and the skill…

[sskarn]

Really detailed. Looking forward for more complex builds on simple materials and simple builds on trickier materials.

[DrFiero]

When I first started working with acrylics about 40 years ago, we of course didn’t have laser cutters! After cutting and mostly smoothing edges, I’d use a propane torch to final smooth edges, especially on clear. Love Weldon solvents. So many viscosities to pick from.

[markkoons]

That buzz of disapproval at poorer methods of joining acrylics nearly put me off this video. By the third buzz I was ready to exit and would have had not the subject seemed important. Otherwise, this was good, useful information and I thank you.

[CallousCoder]

This is such a treasure trove! Whenever I need to do something new, I will find it here! THANKS ERIC!

[LeeWhitcher]

Thanks for taking the time to make another awesome video! I recently made a large acrylic box using box jointed ends (the joys of having access to a laser cutter!). But then I ruined the insides flooding it with CA. Wish I'd known about your luer lock bottles a couple of weeks ago lol. The whole thing got vinyl wrapped so not a big deal in the end, but just like ironing underpants... I know it's not right underneath ;) Thanks again

[woutzweers]

Finally somebody who can show the different glues. I cut acrylic with a laser, and many glues cause small cracks (creases) in the heat affected zone. Only one glue did not do that, a uv activated very liquid glue by Ruplo. Do you have experience with glueing laser cut plexiglass?

[vibrion]

This what i like about your videos: right to the point! Great great tutorial! Thanks!

[anodominate]

These cubes would be a nice idea to make PERIODIC TABLE from them by drawing the symbols and other info one side before sticking them.

[BurninGems]

Router... Omg, I totally forgot about this tool. This is going to solve a problem I've been putting off with some flat acrylic bases I needed fir my minerals. Thank you! Btw, hope the bandages didn't come from working that table saw!

[tylermurch]

this is a super helpful and informative video. Thank you so much

[bradlightner]

Nice video. It was VERY informative and answered several questions that I had regarding methods of cutting. I'm glad I found your video.
I am going to make some display cases and I need to put "shelves" inside the case (basically a large box). What type of a router bit would you recommend to clean up the edges of the shelves (or all of the pieces) where there will be a butt joint onto the inner walls of the "box"? Spiral upcut bit?

[sjtonic]

Nice tips and tricks!

For the last box you could use a painter/scotch tape to "preassemble" the box, unroll it and then apply the glue.

[charlie]

Love everything you do and always look forward to learning something new

[BitLife]

Love the details about cutting on the table saw and router, but the best most accurate way to cut acrylic is with a laser cutter.

[ThomasSmith-fzwq]

Another way is to make a template of the parts and then use the template and double stick tape to flush trim your parts. Cut your blanks bigger by about an 1/8 of an inch then route.

[garagemonkeysan]

Awesome video. Full of tips. Did not know about paper vs plastic classifier. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[ManFromTheFizz]

Is there any way to create custom molds for acrylic?

That's the one thing that always bothered me, the fact that it only comes in sheets.