Acrylic display cases - gluing

Saark

Arachnosquire
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
103
Hi all,

I am making a couple tarantula enclosures using the Micheal's acrylic cases and had a question. Have any of you used hot glue guns to put these together? I've used acrylic solvent cement in the past but I have none and am short on time. Your thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!
 

Akai

Arachnobaron
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
326
You mean like fastening a screen to it with a hot glue gun? yeah sure no problem at all.
 

ratluvr76

Arachnodemon
Active Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2014
Messages
759
I'm the type that errs on the side of caution whenever possible. I personally probably would not trust hot glue to keep the sides together.. Aquarium sealant or silicone, or the acrylic solvent for joins. In my experience with crafting and stuff, the hot glue tends to not hold well under any but the most light uses.
 

Akai

Arachnobaron
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
326
if we are talking fabricating an acrylic enclosure then yes acrylic solvents or silicone is the way to go. if we are talking about attaching like a pre-fab screen to AMAC display from Michaels after cutting a hole with a hole saw then yes hot glue is fine. i've even used them to attach little pieces of cork wood inside the enclosure for arboreal slings. You can find a video from Jamies Tarantulas YT showing these as well as RobC. He fabricates hides, attaches moss...the whole shabang. lol hotglue guns are staples in a hobbyist tool kit. :wink:
 

Saark

Arachnosquire
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
103
if we are talking fabricating an acrylic enclosure then yes acrylic solvents or silicone is the way to go. if we are talking about attaching like a pre-fab screen to AMAC display from Michaels after cutting a hole with a hole saw then yes hot glue is fine. i've even used them to attach little pieces of cork wood inside the enclosure for arboreal slings. You can find a video from Jamies Tarantulas YT showing these as well as RobC. He fabricates hides, attaches moss...the whole shabang. lol hotglue guns are staples in a hobbyist tool kit. :wink:
Thanks for the replies guys and yeah, I was talking about cutting the lid to make a door and substrate dam and attaching hinges and stuff. I did order some solvent cement but it's not going to be here until after I get the Ts and was hoping hot glue could do the job. I've decided it's not worth the risk. I'll do something temporary for the Ts and set the acrylic tanks up properly. I have three avics coming, avicularia, braunshauseni and minatrix and a P rufilata sling to house and I don't want them to get out! :eek:
 

Akai

Arachnobaron
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
326
take a picture when you're done and share with us because I don't you and I are talking about the same from Michaels. lol
 

Saark

Arachnosquire
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
103
take a picture when you're done and share with us because I don't you and I are talking about the same from Michaels. lol
This is what I'm talking about. Since I'm waiting on the solvent cement I'll post a pic of an enclosure I made with the smaller case from Michael's. These are about 3.5"x3.5"x8"
http://www.michaels.com/studio-dŽec...-case/10145307.html#q=acrylic+display&start=1

enclosures 003.jpg

This is the same enclosure but in terrestrial form for a juvenile H. troglodytes (damn things grow so slow! lol) No gluing was needed for this one.
enclosures 002.jpg
 

Akai

Arachnobaron
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
326
Hey those are pretty cool and YES you and I were talking about two different things. lol I'll have to take a peek into my neighborhood Michaels soon. Thanks for sharing.
 
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