Cutting plexiglass

[jen_in_southtexas]

What is the best way to cut plexi glass without it splitting or cracking?


thx,
jen

[Grizzy]

http://www.ehow.com/how_4869318_cut-plexiglass-home.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_4869318_cut-plexiglass-home.html)

Try this, Jen... looks kinna good?

~Grizzy~

[NCLee]

Jen, in addition to the excellent info in Grizzy's link, you can cut plexiglass with a scroll saw. This would be for small or complex cuts. His method is best for things like window pane replacement.

Set the saw speed to slow. Use a crown tooth scroll saw blade for the best results. (I have used regular blades.)

The biggest problem you'll have is that the heat from the blade will tend to fuse the cut back together behind the cut. Adding a thin plywood or heavy cardboard backer board will help. Use clear packing tape to attach the backer board. Cover the protective covering to the plexiglass with the same tape along the cutting line. There's something in the tape that helps keep the blade cooler.

Cut slowly. If it does fuse, usually a second pass over the same cut, after the blade has cooled, will complete the cut.

Hope this helps.
Lee

[Bones]

I used to cut plexiglass all the time with a table saw and a combination blade in it. I also have used a hand circular saw as well. I would take masking tape and put it on both sides of the plexiglass and then either mark the tape with a marker to follow when I cut it or for the table saw I used the rip fence. You can also use a router. If you are using real thin stuff you might want to try a scrap piece first to make sure it does not chip.

[flatwater]

Jen , I hate cutting plexaglass. some have worked and other times I ruined a whole sheet of it. Is there another material you could substitute for the plexy.

[kawalekm]

Hi Jen

I did a little work with plexiglass years ago as radiation shielding. The best way I cut was with a fine toothed metal saw blade run at LOW speed. A regular jig saw with a metal blade (even better if they make a plastics blade now) should work just fine. Don't try to cut too fast or you'll start melting the plastic. Leave the paper backing on till after you finish cutting, then peel off.
Good luck,
Michael

[jen_in_southtexas]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Since I already have a jigsaw, I am going to try that method and see what happens. Thanks again.

-jen

[wittey]

do not use jig saw, you need a blade that goes one way like a band saw or scroll saw.

[NCLee]

Witty, the cutting action of a scroll saw is the same as a jig saw. The difference between the two is the blade is mounted at one point with a jig saw. A scroll saw uses a mount at each end to hold the blade. Each of these use an up/down motion to cut material. Some scroll saw blades have teeth mounted in both directions so the blade cuts on both the up and down strokes. They're called "reverse tooth" blades.

You're right in that a bandsaw blade moves in only one direction as the blade travels around the wheels.

Lee

[huckelberry]

i have used a jigsaw with good results..just slow it down it should have a speed adjustment

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Plasma Cutter. ;)
There's an ad link up there and I thought it might work. LOL

[Rick]

I have cut plexiglass several times using a table saw with a plywood blade. Cut may not be the proper word, melt is probably more accurate.

Go slow and keep it down on the table. I suspect a circular saw with a plywood blade would work equally well.