Cutting plexiglass
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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As has been said and bears repeating. Draw your line for the cut place a straight edge against it and score it. Don't do it just once do it around 5 times and then flip and repeat and it should break. Or you can just score till it goes all the way through. If you are going to drill holes in it leave the plastic coverings on it. That will help keep it from spliting and also let the drill do the work don't push on it.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Harker Heights, TX
I used a table saw with no problems. Just cover both sides of the plexiglass with scotch tape over the line you want to cut. Go slow. The faster you go and you risk chipping. The tape lubricates the plexi and saw blade and give a nice cut. Then run a block of really fine sandpaper to smooth any rough edges off.
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Posting Guru
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From: Oregon
I've used my tablesaw, but usually use the band saw on smaller sheets. If you plan on doing much of it, a small band saw with an extention table is nice to have. Your scroll saw probably isn't dissipating the heat well enough.
Now, if someone could tell me an easy way to make odd shaped holes in the stuff, I'd be happy. I've tried drilling multiple holes and filing and my drimmel with every bit I have. Nothing seems to work well. Part of the problem is the protective sheet always seems to lift about half way through the project and I lose my line.
Now, if someone could tell me an easy way to make odd shaped holes in the stuff, I'd be happy. I've tried drilling multiple holes and filing and my drimmel with every bit I have. Nothing seems to work well. Part of the problem is the protective sheet always seems to lift about half way through the project and I lose my line.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Harker Heights, TX
Originally Posted by Howdy
Part of the problem is the protective sheet always seems to lift about half way through the project and I lose my line.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
U.S. Plastics sells scroll saw blades for plastic and they work great. They have many more teeth per inch and look like a row of shark teeth. I use it to cut polycarbonate. Sears has a blade that goes into their portable miter box that cuts plastic too. Works fine.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: NW
Originally Posted by King Triton
I just use a straight-edge and a razor knife,score both sides and then snap off the excess.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Laveen
Good quality fine kerf carbide blades on a table saw work great and give fine cuts that are ready to glue. Rotozips will cut odd shapes unless you cut too quickly. And when you drill, use a real sharp flat wood boring bit unless you can get the right bit. The bits machinists use to cut plexi and polycarb have a much less agressive twist to them and don't dig in and cause cracking as easily as high speed bits. You can sand and polish the scratches out and rubbing and polishing compound work great, there is also a plastic polish available at plastic suppliers and aviation supply places to keep plexi and polycarb shiny and clear. oh and if you cement the stuff have as clean and tight a joint as you can get and plexi and polycarb cements are not interchangable, I proved it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Oregon
I've tried my Rotozip and wasn't too pleased. However, I was looking in the new Harbour Freight catalog and they have an air powered, high speed, body saw on sale. I've used those on metal before and they develop very little heat. Don't know why I never thought of using one for plexiglass.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: KCMO
Originally Posted by troposcatter
... if you cement the stuff have as clean and tight a joint as you can get and plexi and polycarb cements are not interchangable, I proved it.