Cutting mirrored perspex sheets?

[Deleted member 174758]

How am I best fixing the stuff to the wall? The wall is painted plaster.

Mirror adhesive (as opposed to grab adhesive which won't always hold well) - it holds the smooth surface better. I've used it on polycarbonate, acrylic and stainless steel (as well as glass) in shops, bars and restaurants for years. Make sure you get a fresh tube, not one which is near its' sell by date (stale or old product doesn't work too well)

You can join the pieces with acrylic adhesive such as Tensol 70. Rossy Plastics may be able to advise or even supply you with some. The main issue might well be polishing out the joint after glueing

 

[Ian H]

Ok, I’m ready to go.

When I cut shall I have mirrored side up or down?

 

[Ian H]

I cut it mirror side facing down and it’s very neat. No problems with the jigsaw blades melting the perspex.

 

[Ian H]

Cracked it

Tried going too big with the drill bit

 

[Deleted member 174758]

What type of drill bit are you using? Harder plastics tend to benefit from a narrower drill point angle than you get for steel drilling (e.g standard jobber bits). Brad point centre bits (as used for wood working) can be used as well, albeit at low speed

 

[Ian H]

What type of drill bit are you using? Harder plastics tend to benefit from a narrower drill point angle than you get for steel drilling (e.g standard jobber bits). Brad point centre bits (as used for wood working) can be used as well, albeit at low speed

On the first one 1 used a 4mm hss then an 8mm.

The one that cracked I went straight in with the 8mm.

I’ve got 1 on the wall now, it looks OK but I think the wall must not have been perfectly straight so the mirror looks a bit like a commercial kitchen with polished steel. It’s still got its protective coating on for the minute too

 

[Burnerman]

Its looking well, Ian - your chosen material isn’t the easiest to work with.
Take care regarding cleaning and scratches...acrylic is pretty soft.
John

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Yes, nice job. As Burnerman says acrylic is easily scratched. I'd suggest getting one of the cleaners they use in commercial kitchens to keep whiterock walling clean.

 

[Ian H]

Well, on the scale of all my DIY jobs I’d say this one was pretty disappointing. It’s a bit like the bendy mirrors at the circus

I think it looks crap but Amanda and the kids likes it so it can stay for now

Thanks very much for the help and advice and it anyone needs a T101a I have 8 unused here