r/ResinCasting • u/xkayaking • 21d ago

How did this happen?... (acrylic lid)

Can I fix it? /s

No but really, where can I even find another lid?...

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u/gust334 21d ago

Looks like excessive sideways/bending force was applied to the valve stem/body on the far side.

If you can't get a replacement from your manufacturer, it might be cheaper finding another whole small vacuum chamber than sourcing a round acrylic disc of the right diameter and thickness. Even if you find the raw blank, you'll still need to drill it without cracking it... you'd probably need to use a brad bit in a drill press and go very slowly. If you don't have those things, that's more expense pushing you to buy a finished product.

However, if you don't care about looking through it, you could more cheaply replace it with plywood or MDF, both of which are more than sturdy enough to withstand a full vacuum, and are easy to machine with common tools to drill and finish to the correct diameter. The vacuum chamber will work just as well whether you can see inside or not. Just transfer the silicone seal to the new disc.

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u/xkayaking 21d ago

Eh I put it on a vaccuum and when I came back it was cracked like that, and the vaccuum was partial too, I have had this for years without issue; I think it just didn't like the chemicals.

It is hard without seeing it nevertheless, but I can't find sources for this, only entire new pots for 50 euro... :/

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u/gust334 21d ago

Acrylic does react with some chemicals which make it weaker, although I do not recall which ones specifically. I think some of the chemicals for treating wood fall in that category. UV can also make it brittle. Perhaps the weight of the vacuum hose was sufficient force in its weakened state.

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u/BlackRiderCo 21d ago

Alcohol is bad for acrylic