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cutting 1/4 inch acrylic sheets?

foobytor | Posted in General Discussion on May 4, 2008 06:22am

any suggestions?

thanksamillion

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Replies

  1. pickings | May 04, 2008 08:01pm | #1

    Jigsaw.

    Use the"laser cut" blades....no offset in the teeth (the offset teeth tend to vibrate and create breaks along the cuts. I have used 32-40 teeth/inch w/ success.

     

    1. User avater
      xxPaulCPxx | May 04, 2008 08:25pm | #2

      The plastic/melame/plywood blades I've seen, are those similar to what you are talking about?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

      Also a CRX fanatic!

      If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts.  You nut, you.

      1. pickings | May 04, 2008 09:45pm | #3

        Not sure how they label them, but if you look at the blade from the edge, none of the teeth have a "set".......they are straight, in line w/ the blade, but their "cutting" edges are beveled to alternate sides.

        ie. normal teeth are set by bending them to the sides alternately. The idea is that this creates a wider cut than the thickness of the blade, so as not to have the blade bind.

        I have found the "normal" set teeth to snag and vibrate the plastics causing them to break. 

  2. Pelipeth | May 05, 2008 12:12am | #4

    I've used my jigsaw or my tablesaw.

  3. User avater
    nazard | May 05, 2008 12:38am | #5

    Foob,

    Tablesaw works for me.  I use a card scraper to smooth edges if needed.  I am using a 40t carbide blade.

    -nazard

  4. fingers | May 05, 2008 03:02am | #6

    I've used a small router or laminate trimmer and a bearing-guided straight bit. It works best to leave the soft protective sheet on the plexiglass and cut thru it with the bit.

  5. dustinf | May 05, 2008 03:04am | #7

    Jigsaw.  Bosch 101B blades.

    Utility knife, score and snap also works.

    It's not too late, it's never too late.

    1. brownbagg | May 05, 2008 05:13am | #8

      formica blade on circular saw turned backwards

  6. toolman65 | May 05, 2008 05:15am | #9

    Try using a fine tooth carbide blade (60 teeth or better) on your tablesaw. I beef up the cutline with several layers of masking tape and adjust the blade height so it barely clears the surface of the sheet.

    Another option is to use a 40 tooth blade in your Skilsaw along with a cutting guide. Cover the underside of the saw with duct tape so it won't scratch the plastic. Use 2x4 scraps to support the entire sheet as it is cut through.

    Keep the feed rate steady and wear safety glasses.good luck!

  7. builderdude | May 05, 2008 05:33am | #10

    I've had really good luck with abrasive blades. For small stock, I use my Metabo die-grinder w/ a 4" wheel. For larger sheets, I have put a 10" abrasive blade on my table saw. Keep a steady flow rate or it can bind. Also, I recommend eyes and ears while cutting

  8. xxxxx | May 05, 2008 06:03am | #11

    If you need a "polished" edge, the guys in the shop where I work use a propane soldering torch.

    Peel back the protective covering and apply the flame to the edge of the acrylic.  Use a gentle touch & practice on some scrap first.  A clean-cut edge works best, of course, & if you can't get a good one on your table saw, try a sharp carbide knived jointer or a carbide straight bit with your table-router set up as a jointer.

     

    Paul

    1. User avater
      larryscabnuts | May 05, 2008 07:05am | #12

      I have used a plasticut file. The ones you use to file Laminate first before I use a propane torch on the edge. Plastic cutting blades are well over 100 bucks. I traded mine to a friend for a Woodworkers II blade.
      You can also weld plexiglass with a solvent. (not Lexan) Its a special solvent that I got at a plastic dealer. Lexan can be welded but with a heated rod system that costs big bucks.

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