Cutting Plastic Hood

[Snailbuddy]

Hi there! You seem like a pretty handy bunch! I have an old Eclipse hood on my 50 gal tank . . . if you've ever seen one of these, it has a powerhead attached that pumps water up into a long compartment in the hood (about 5" x 24") and then the water just pours back down into the tank. There are 2 lids that open and each has a set of power compacts attached - also a "custom" job. There is plenty of light for the tank, but none over that compartment thing. I thought it would be pretty cool to use this a a fuge. I would have to cut the top of the compartment off, and make a light fixture for it. Problem: when I cut this plactic with my jig saw, it just melts back together - so it's just like I never cut it! Argh! Any suggestions would be welcome! Thanks!!

[scary gary]

Try a hacksaw, and cut it slowly that way there's less heat build up so it won't melt back together.

[JAFO]

Everyone has a buddy with a Dremel ... by far the easiest, fastest, way to cut plastic with very professional looking results ... just don't try to remove all the material in one pass as it is very easy to wander past the line you are trying to cut ... I always leave a few millimeters of material above the line I am cutting so that I can gradually work it down to a very sharp straight line ... I also use a flat file to square off the corners. * Achtung!!! * use precautions as melted material that comes off the cutting tip is hot and can/will fly about.:Contract: <----- disclaimer:icon_cool

[scotchy]

Absolutely. I'd go dremel all the way. With the sanding drums you get a nice smooth finish afterwards. Is there anything that thing can't do?


Scott

[Fishy!]

Absolutely. I'd go dremel all the way. With the sanding drums you get a nice smooth finish afterwards. Is there anything that thing can't do?
Scott
Make my Land Rover payments...lol
Other then that its got pretty much everything covered.

[Snailbuddy]

OMG! I never thought about the Dremmel . . . I have one - got it for my birthday a couple of years back! So, which attachment would be the best? That disk that looks like a rusty brown? Thanks for your help - this site is the best! (Dremmels work great on your nails, too!)

[stinga]

yea i would have to agree with JAFO on that one.i have a dremmel ......work like a charm;)use the brown disk to cut and the round small sand paper to smooth it out:banana:

[Snailbuddy]

Thanks everyone! I've done it . . . Dremmel worked like a charm! Now I have a cool fuge - it isn't pretty, but it works and that's what counts! Without your help, I never would have thought about the Dremmel - Thanks again:beerchug: