Cutting Acrylic

[elizard]

Is there any way acrylic (plexi) can be cut w/o the use of a circular saw/table saw (fairly precisely of course)?
The thickness would be up to 1/2"?

If not, then when cutting it with a table saw, is there anything I should be worried about? I vaguely remember cutting some plexi back in high school with a normal table saw, but that was a few years ago, and I don't remember it

[Bob2]

Router with straight cutting bit and a straight edge.

Bob2

[millwood]

I used a piece of heating element, charged to 120v. it simply melts the plexiglass in contact. then I sand it - need to sand it anyway. worked like a charm. but dangerous!

[jackinnj]

Originally posted by elizard
Is there any way acrylic (plexi) can be cut w/o the use of a circular saw/table saw (fairly precisely of course)?
The thickness would be up to 1/2"?

If not, then when cutting it with a table saw, is there anything I should be worried about? I vaguely remember cutting some plexi back in high school with a normal table saw, but that was a few years ago, and I don't remember it

the problem with plexi is that it will melt if the blade isn't sharp and moving fast enough, and if the blades are set at an angle.

here's the suggested method from Roehm, they suggest using a straight-set carbide blade:
http://www.roehm.de/en/plexiglas/_do...0GS%20SW_e.pdf

in the U.S. I think it's Rohm and Haas.

[elizard]

hmm, maybe i'll just get them pre-cut, shouldn't be too expensive.

[Peter Daniel]

There is no problem with cutting acrylic, any blade will do. When cut on a regular table saw it doesn't melt. Router is not that convenient, as it is slow and wastes too much material.

I was cutting up to 3" thick pieces. It's better to use rougher blade, cause it cuts faster and actually leaves nicer finish. 40 teeth or so is good. After you cut, you can finish the sides with straight router bit.

Wear safety glasses as depending on material, small chips might break away.

It is almost like cutting wood and 0.5" thickness is a piece of cake.

BTW, I'm cutting 1" copper pieces on a table saw with good results as well .

[GRollins]

I've cut Plexiglas with a standard carbide wood-cutting blade on my table saw. Worked fine. I don't remember how many teeth offhand, but there were a fair number of them--at least 30 or 40, but perhaps as high as 70. Lotsa white fluffy "sawdust" to clean up, though.

Grey

[grataku]

Canadian Chopper...

Peter ever thought about having your own TV show?

[Peter Daniel]

This forum is enough show for me.

[eStatic]

I've had work done by these folks, http://www.sdplastics.com/

They do good work. As I recall they only charged for the plastic. I had it cut into trapezoidal pieces with rounded corners (25mm radius). The trick is you have to buy a 48x96 inch sheet.

Their site has a good DIY FAQ.