Flame Polishing Cast Acrylic

[Simon Clayton]

Hi Stone, You can buy a flame polishing tool,
Not sure how much they are, their like a small blow torch.
Maybe some one else can also help

Simon

[Stone]

Hi Simon i have seen the flame polishers for around £900 new but this just isn’t viable at the moment being a new company and all.I thought if i could find someone with a polisher or maybe a used one for sale then i might be interested.My customer is happy with the product but it takes a while to sand finish these items.A Flame polisher would be quicker and give a perfect finish.I may have to give in and save my pennies it’s one of those should i shouldn’t i type things.
🙄

[Martin Pearson]

Paul Davenport is probably the best person to answer this question, they use a lot of acrylic. Paul is about quite a bit but you could always send him a PM.

[Robert Lambie]

martin is right paul dav from these boards is the man best to ask.
but, incase hes not around quick enough for you it can be done using the £8.99 blow-torch from B&Q.
when i read this post i thought, hey another quick and simple demo to show.
the problem is, i bet this one would be best for the “video vault” 😉 there is a little tecnique to it & simple once shown.
your finish must be good to begin with. router cut is best.. if your not using a real perspex acrylic or a cheap brand, it sometimes gives you a little bother getting the finsh you want.
i could not explain how to do it well enough using text, i really would have to show you., but to answer your question.. yes it can be done using only a cheap blow torch. maybe not just as good as the time served guys get it or the diamond edged machine polished ones available but YES! £8.99 did it for me on a £2000 30″x25 foot fascia… 😉

[Stone]

Hi Rob

I wondered if this was possible but everything i have read up on says that temperatures need to be around2,700 2,900 degrees celcius with a very narrow flame. I have also tried to find someone with an oxy tank to mix an oxidising flame and try that. I use my 24” circular saw blade to cut my acrylics in the saw mill, if you cut it very slowly it starts to melt fractionally giving a neat finish to start with.I am game to try the old blow tourch though B&Q in the morning and off to set fire to things 😀 Thanks

[Robert Lambie]

i wish i could show you now mate.. i was shown by a friend of mine.. it doesnt make the side crystal clear but takes the dull away and allows light to travel through.
the small torches can be turned down to a smallish point. once cut, use a little wet & dry paper to rub over edge to make nice and smooth.
take the torch and hold at 35-45 degrees. allow the tip only to hit the middle flat of the edge and move it at a moderate pace.. you will quickly see a sheen appear along the edge. i was told not to re-do it as it causes the edge to start to bubble, but was also told the guys with the know can….
try some scrap cuts a few times and make sure you make the torch travel steady and at about the pace you see a fuse burn in a cartoon on the TV… (hot) 😆 😆 😆

[Stone]

Thankyou Rob
If i have to hold it steady i better put the beer away 😉 Well after a few more maybe 😮 .Like i say these products a smooth sanded to an opaque finish at the moment which the customer is happy with but this takes time. If i can give a smooth finish which saves me time then i will be happy 😛

[Robert Lambie]

no probs mate.. best of luck 😉

[Mike Grant]

Hi Stone, we have a flame polisher and yes the flame is critical to get the correct temperature and finish. If we can help you in anyway give me a shout.

[Stone]

Hello Mike

Thanks for the offer is there any minimum size of product that you can polish. I only ask this because i have to make 12.5mm cubes for some orders and there are hundreds of them.

[Mike Grant]

I don’t think I would want to go smaller than that as the flame would probably blow the things all over the table 😆

I am sure we could handle it though.

[Stone]

Thank you for the info Mike i will see how things pan out over the next few weeks. But i can see your point about blowing them over the table. I was wondering about burnt fingers.

[John Singh]

“Is this flaming necessary?” 😆 😆 😆

John