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Author Topic: blasting acrylic question  (Read 399 times)

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Freebird1963

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blasting acrylic question
« on: January 17, 2012, 09:40:29 PM »
Hello
I was at Lowes today and picked up some Lexen (a polycarbonate)  and Optix (acrylic) to help with weeding sticky flocky. Then got to thinking that it could be sandblasted. I know they laser and dye sub it. Then got to wondering about the acrylic/ polycarbonate types. The lexen is suppose to be like 250x stronger than glass and the Optix 20x so can those still be blasted or is it a certain acrylic that needs to be used ?

I am going to guess that the optix should be used.

THanks
Mark
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Cutter9

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Re: blasting acrylic question
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2012, 08:45:32 AM »
We do acrylic all the time you may need to reduce your pressure I use 120 grit AO and around 35 psi. We do tons of clip boards, Just test a piece of scrap first. It is stronger than glass but it scratches easy.
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Freebird1963

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Re: blasting acrylic question
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2012, 08:13:59 PM »
Well gave the lexen a try. Did very good. I have a bunch of dry erase vinyl that I is sitting here so I used that to stencil with. Worked pretty good.
I rub n buffed on it and worked well too.

Only thing is I have some adhesive left from the dry erase. Water and soap didn't remove it. Would mineral spirits clean with out doing any damage ? Or what cleans left behind adhesive  ?

Oh and I noticed the edges in some places got roughed up. What can I use to knock it down w/o scratching. And best way to protect them ? Just tape it up ?

Thanks
Mark
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midwaste

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Re: blasting acrylic question
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2012, 01:23:12 AM »
Mineral spirits should be perfect for removing the leftover adhesive, but I would test it on another piece.  Definitely no "hotter" that the mineral spirits.

I'm surprised, I don't know why, but I thought that lexan wouldn't blast very well at all, given that its plastic.  Definitely a lot of options as far as acrylic and lexan trophies/awards, etc out there.

When you say "edges got roughed up" you mean the edges of the piece of lexan?  What I usually do with lexan or plexi is just a fine file, or you can drag a sharp razor blade/utility knife down it to bevel the edge past the chips.  To keep it from happening, I have put either masking tape or pieces of paper apptape on the edges.

The rubnbuff turned out really well on there!
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Thors_Foundry

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Re: blasting acrylic question
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2012, 11:27:52 AM »
what is flame polishing?  does that apply here?  (I dont know - I m asking..)


(EDIT - I looked it up..)
how to flame polish plex
« Last Edit: January 22, 2012, 11:35:18 AM by Thors_Foundry »
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midwaste

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Re: blasting acrylic question
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2012, 02:42:18 PM »
Quote from: Thors_Foundry on January 22, 2012, 11:27:52 AM
what is flame polishing?  does that apply here?  (I dont know - I m asking..)



Good call, forgot about flame polishing, that works great.
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