How do I keep Acrylic Square while Gluing?

[Biglurr54]

I am building a frag tank to bring to shows out of acrylic. I couldnt find one that I would have in time for a show so I decided I would build my own. I do some wood working so I have the tools! But I always struggle with getting true 90 degrees.

I got everything cut, edges router polished, and everything fitted up. Everything it true and squared up. Its time to glue/weld it up.

My question is, how do I keep panels perfectly plumb and square when welding with the pin method. Also do I need to clamp the pieces or will the weight of the panel suffice. Do I need to make up jigs to hold plumb and square? What would a jig look like?

The tank is made out of 1/2 cast acrylic, and is 32x18x8 I have 1/16 overage for the fillets.

I'm worried that I will weld it up and something is going to be off a degree or two and then I will have a leak.

 

[SPS2020]

I am building a frag tank to bring to shows out of acrylic. I couldnt find one that I would have in time for a show so I decided I would build my own. I do some wood working so I have the tools! But I always struggle with getting true 90 degrees.

I got everything cut, edges router polished, and everything fitted up. Everything it true and squared up. Its time to glue/weld it up.

My question is, how do I keep panels perfectly plumb and square when welding with the pin method. Also do I need to clamp the pieces or will the weight of the panel suffice. Do I need to make up jigs to hold plumb and square? What would a jig look like?

The tank is made out of 1/2 cast acrylic, and is 32x18x8 I have 1/16 overage for the fillets.

I'm worried that I will weld it up and something is going to be off a degree or two and then I will have a leak.

I used these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...840/303122120?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US

and this would probably come in handy: https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-...?MERCH=REC-_-PLP_Browse-_-NA-_-309901172-_-N&

 

[Biglurr54]

I was just going to post if these would work

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pony-1-1-8-in-Corner-Clamp/1000989056

 

[SPS2020]

I think you'll have to get creative along the way and see what works best for your build. It was a loooong time ago when I built a 120g out of acrylic, but I remember those corner clamps worked nice.

The strap clamp is going to be too small for what you are doing. I'm sure others will chime in with ideas.