[sdiy] arcrylic panels

[Dave Krooshof]

>>The sheet claims that it is flammable.
I think it says that because as it isn't glass, people can't use it like glass.

>> Also, that it expands and contracts with heat.
we all do. But aren't displaywindows of similar stuff? I wouldn't worry.

Me and a friend have used it, to make hand movements on knobs
visible for the audience. It didn't catch flame (you'll need more heat)
and it doesn't melt at all in theatrical light and operation.
Also, it didn't expand more then the other materials in the boxes.

It's a bit of a pain to drill in it, unless you use a new, sharp drill
and a stable rotation. A handdrill is OK. Take care that you do
not use to much force, as you might get cracks. Put it on a flat
piece of wood for flat support when you drill. Start off with
very small drills, and work you way up with factors of 3 in
drillsize to the desired width. Once you have
made a perfect hole, the stuff is as durable as it was.
It's only the very local pressure that makes it crack.

As for resizing:
Use a good saw, sharp, small teeth. saw by hand.
Or use a fast, small theeth circular saw.
The people at the shop told us they cut a line in it, and then break
it over the line. We did not succeed in that. You might think of a
way to mount it on the box in such way that you can hide the edges...

It scratches easily though, so take that into account that
you'll notice how much you use it.
And leave the protective information on it while working!


HTH

Dave