We have always made our chnl ltrs with Cast Acrylic but because it seems to be getting harder to find the sheets that fit our router table I was wondering if anyone has or is using Extruded Acrylic as an alternative. From what I've read about Extruded it seems a person would be able to use extruded in smaller letters of 10"-12" or so without as much distortion. Anyone have any experience trying extruded Acrylic for chnl ltrs?
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Question Extruded Acrylic Channel Letters
- Thread starter JohnPM
- Start date
Richard Baehr
New Member
Hi John,
Extruded will not work as well, it will craze from cleaning with solvents, its natural form is not flat when heated like cast, it's best to stick to cast in my opinion, you spend the time doing the work and getting a ok result instead of awesome result.
Extruded will not work as well, it will craze from cleaning with solvents, its natural form is not flat when heated like cast, it's best to stick to cast in my opinion, you spend the time doing the work and getting a ok result instead of awesome result.
tulsagraphics
New Member
If you're going through the normal "sign-related" distributors, many of them aren't stocking locally due to freight costs. You're better off sourcing sheets from a plastics supplier. They can cut sheets down for you. I have zero issues getting cast acrylic in my neck of the woods (Oklahoma). I wouldn't entertain extruded acrylic -- unless you enjoy snapping expensive router bits. The density is too unpredictable. Stick with cast.We have always made our chnl ltrs with Cast Acrylic but because it seems to be getting harder to find the sheets that fit our router table I was wondering if anyone has or is using Extruded Acrylic as an alternative. From what I've read about Extruded it seems a person would be able to use extruded in smaller letters of 10"-12" or so without as much distortion. Anyone have any experience trying extruded Acrylic for chnl ltrs?
GaSouthpaw
Profane and profane accessories.
I don't have much issue with router bits breaking, so much as gumming up. For me, it's that the finished edge of cast is so much cleaner and finished- that's not as much of a concern when you're putting trim cap on it, but it's still a concern. A clean edge is much easier to adhere to.If you're going through the normal "sign-related" distributors, many of them aren't stocking locally due to freight costs. You're better off sourcing sheets from a plastics supplier. They can cut sheets down for you. I have zero issues getting cast acrylic in my neck of the woods (Oklahoma). I wouldn't entertain extruded acrylic -- unless you enjoy snapping expensive router bits. The density is too unpredictable. Stick with cast.
Otherwise, yes to what you said!
tulsagraphics
New Member
Ah, right on. I haven't tried cutting extruded on my CNC, but I did snap multiple, smaller bits on my EGX-600 using extruded. (1/16")I don't have much issue with router bits breaking, so much as gumming up. For me, it's that the finished edge of cast is so much cleaner and finished- that's not as much of a concern when you're putting trim cap on it, but it's still a concern. A clean edge is much easier to adhere to.
Otherwise, yes to what you said!