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18.05.2021 2:29:24
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See full version: How to Cut Plexiglass
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Plexiglass is a cheap and durable material that you can use for a variety of projects like picture frames, tabletops, or as a shatterproof substitute for glass. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and it lasts for a long time because it can’t rot or crack. You can also easily cut it to shape with the right tools, the proper precautions, and correct measurements. Thin sheets can be scored and snapped with a utility knife or scoring tool. Thicker sheets will need to be cut with either a circular saw for straight lines or a jigsaw to cut shapes out of the sheet. more
No matter which type of saw you choose for the task, it’s critically important to use the right blade. There are special blades designed expressly for acrylic, but any metal-cutting blade with carbide tips can do the trick. Before committing to one blade or another, double-check that its teeth are evenly spaced, with no rake, and of uniform height and shape. here
Versatile and tough though it may be, plexiglass isn’t perfect. For one thing, it scratches easily. That’s why sheets of the material come covered in a thin layer of protective film. The other downside? Homeowners who don’t know how to cut plexiglass can be intimidated by the material at first—but we’re here to help!
Whichever cutting method you choose, you may find that the cut plexiglass edge doesn’t look terribly attractive. If the cut edge would be visible in your application, take the extra time to sand and buff out the imperfections. Note: You can use a handheld power sander, but manual wet-sanding typically achieves the best results. [links]
In a range of applications, from picture frames to tabletops, plexiglass (also known as acrylic) serves as a cost-effective, shatterproof substitute for glass. In fact, due to its light weight and durability, many do-it-yourselfers prefer plexiglass, not least because it can be cut and shaped with common workshop tools.
For thicker sheets of plexiglass, cut with a power saw—be it a circular saw, saber saw, or table saw. (To cut anything but a straight line, opt for a jigsaw.) here
If you have a multi speed saw, try different speeds till you find what works best. The speed you feed the material into the blade will affect it too. Experiment.
The bandsaw's a good option as it does stay cool better, but will only do for the exterior cuts. You still need something to do the interiors of closed letters.
1/4" acrylic can be cut with a jigsaw using a new, sharp blade, slow speed, and a little oil or wax to lubricate the cut. Take your time and don't feed too fast. The blade needs to have lots of set to the teeth so there's a clearance between the sides of the blade and the material immediately behind the teeth. You need an anti-chip film on the top AND bottom- masking tape will do if the polyethylene anti-scratch film it comes with has already been removed. 1/8" is going to be tougher, since you generally want more than one tooth per thickness of the material just like when you're sawing metal. The metal-cutting jigsaw blades tend to give you a lot of friction and hence melt more than they cut.
Edited 11/4/2008 8:04 pm ET by HammerHarry more
My father had a sign business for many years. bandsaw [links]
I'll have to pick up a small piece of Lexan and see how it bends on my strip heater for plexi. more
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Plexiglass, sometimes called transparent thermoplastic, acrylic, Lucite and Perspex is a polymer that is often used as an alternative to glass. Valued for being shatter-resistant, plexiglass is used on construction projects that require durable, light plastic. Unfortunately, it can be brittle under certain force and scratch easily, so it must be handled with care while you are working with it. There are a number of plexiglass-safe tools and techniques that can be used to avoid cracking or melting the material. This article will tell you how to drill plexiglass. more
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