"Cutting your own acrylic base for ships?" Topic

For those who base their 1/2400 or similar scale ships on acrylic bases, has anyone tried cutting their own? I mean, Litko's bases are nice and fine but the cost can add up. Getting a large sheet of clear acrylic and cutting it yourself is a much cheaper option, although the edge won't be as nice as Litko's as theirs are laser-cut.

Our library has a laser cutter. The process to reserve time and get certified to use it is a few steps, but the tools are fantastic. It seems more and more libraries are offering such devices, and you might ask around …?

I have tried it in the past, but I have no means of getting the beautifully clean cut Litko's has. So personally, I consider it with the expense.

I use a metal straight edge and an Xacto knife to cut my acrylic bases. You don't need to cut it through completely. With steady pressure the piece will snap apart along the scoring. I use extra fine sand paper to smooth the edges.

You can actually use heat from a cigarette lighter to flame-polish the edges of cut acrylic.

Though a laser-cutter is naturally 'flame'-polished.

I've done this, and it works.

Tried polishing with flame/heat with less success.

I bought long strips, pre-cut by the plastics supplier, to size. Then used a hobby, razor saw in the mitre-box to cut to desired lengths. Works well.

File the corners round, if desired, and sand smooth. Done.

The clear acyrlic bases still look like a sheet of glass and have reflection at many angles. Tongue depresser/ice cream bar holder sticks (from craft store) work well and can be painted to match you ocean surface and put a bow/stern waves as well. Do first coat on top with blue oil based paint and bottom with white oil based paint.
Put the name and class of the ship on the underside.