Vacuum chamber question

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Wildbill1988

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May 29, 2019
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Whidbey Island
I picked up a mirro 12 qt pressure cooker. It is 14 inch across, I am planning to replace the top with 3/4" plexiglass. Is that strong enough ?
 

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Plexiglass is ploy methyl methacrylate, the rule of thumb that "like dissolves like" suggests that Plexiglass won't hold up well against acrylate stabilizing resins. That said, others have said that 3/4" holds up reasonably well. However, I'd suggest trying to avoid getting liquid resin on the lid .
 
My lid is less than 3/4" and it's held up well. As mentioned, try not to get the stabilizing resin on the lid. I did once and didn't wipe it down right away. Our hot, dry desert air made the resin cure and now I can't see through the lid so I need to replace it.
 
I've been using 1/2 Plexiglass ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P48KVZ2 ) for a couple of years with no issue. Using it on a 6 inch PVC pipe chamber, as well as a few 2 inch wide, but tall PVC tubes. Nice thing about a big flat lid with a center vacuum fixture is that you can use it with a variety of differently shaped chambers.
 
I would like to know where to find more info about making one. I thought I would have to try HF and get one of their pressure vessel s. I Definetly want to make my own blanks. This past weekend was the first I had heard about making your own acrylic blanks and really liked idea. I've used epoxy on several projects and like it.
 
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