Table of Contents
Use a saber saw or jigsaw with a fine-toothed blade for larger circles. Mark or scribe the circle and drill a 1/4-inch pilot hole slightly inside the perimeter. Put the blade through the hole to start the cut, then saw around the circumference.
How do you cut shapes in plexiglass?
If the scroll saw is too small for the piece of Plexiglas you want to cut, you can use a coping saw. It is a handheld tool with a fine, thin blade similar to a scroll saw. The blade is bound by two clamps attached to the handle. The process will be slower, but the piece can be as large as you need.
What kind of circular saw blade Do I need to cut plexiglass?
For best results with Plexiglas® MC acrylic sheet, circular saw blades should be the largest diameter possible and contain 60 carbide-tipped teeth with a triple-chip-tooth design. Teeth should be shaped with a 5° to 10° positive rake angle and have sharp cutting edges with adequate clearance.
How do you cut a circle in plastic?
Use an Electric Drill A power drill is probably one of the quickest ways to cut holes in your plastic. Drilling several small holes into the plastic can make the surface easier when you begin to cut it. It’s best to use smaller drill bits that are less than 1/8 inch in diameter.
Can I cut plexiglass with a circular saw?
Cutting plexiglass can result in splinters or shards that can pose a hazard. Fit a circular saw or table saw with a fine blade with crosscut teeth to prevent chipping the piece during the cut. Line the plexiglass sheet along the cut line.
What is the best tool to cut plexiglass?
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.) No matter which type of saw you choose for the task, it’s critically important to use the right blade.
What is the best way to cut quarter inch plexiglass?
While the recommended way to cut acrylic is with a high-quality table saw, the simplest and most beginner-friendly way to cut plexiglass is by using a scoring tool. However, keep in mind that you should only use this method on acrylic sheets that are 1/4 of an inch thick or thinner.
What can I use instead of hole saw?
For holes one inch in diameter or less, a spade, auger or Forstner bit is a better choice than a hole saw. These bits are far less likely to catch and twist your arm, and there’s no plug to pry out, just wood shavings. So start building your hole saw kit with sizes that are larger than one inch.
How do you smooth the edges of acrylic?
Begin by smoothing out the edges of your acrylic with 180 grit sandpaper and wet sand the edges. Rinse your sandpaper as needed to stop it clogging up. As the edges level and smooth move onto the sandpaper with the grit of 320 – 360 to give a more polished finish.
Can you sand plexiglass edges?
Sanding and subsequent polishing restore a high-gloss transparent surface to the rough- sawn and matt cut edges of a PLEXIGLAS® sheet. PLEXIGLAS® can be sanded by hand using sandpaper.
Can I cut plastic with a circular saw?
To make straight cuts on thicker sheets of acrylic and polycarbonate plastic (greater than ⅛ inch thick), you’ll need to use a table saw or circular saw. Secure the plastic safely to the work surface with a clamp. Use the circular saw (or table saw) to cut through the plastic in the same way you’d cut through wood.
How do you cut acrylic with a circular saw?
If you choose a circular saw, the optimum blade speed is 3000m/min and make sure the teeth are closely spaced (0.8-1.6 teeth per cm). A 0-5 degrees rake angle which will give a rough finish. If a smoother finish is needed use dedicated acrylic cutting blades for jigsaws and circular saws.
How do you drill a hole in plexiglass without cracking it?
Use a lubricant or liquid. Water or a water soluble oil works well. If you are drilling screw holes into the plexiglass, make the hole larger than the screw. This prevents the screw from forcefully grabbing the plexiglass and it gives the screw room to expand.
How do you cut plexiglass sheets by hand?
How to Cut Plexiglass by Hand Place the Plexiglas on a flat work surface. Mark the Plexiglas with a grease pencil where you want to cut it. Along the lines you marked, carefully score the Plexiglas five to 10 times with a glass cutter. Move the scored section to the edge of the work surface.
How do you cut 1/4 plexiglass in a circle?
Use a saber saw or jigsaw with a fine-toothed blade for larger circles. Mark or scribe the circle and drill a 1/4-inch pilot hole slightly inside the perimeter. Put the blade through the hole to start the cut, then saw around the circumference.
Can you cut plexiglass with a box cutter?
Plexiglass can be cut with the typical tools that are found in a woodworking studio. Use a glass cutter, or the dull end of a box cutter to begin to score the line that you want to cut. You will need to score each line several times, and the deeper the score, the better the easier it will be to break off the piece.
How do you cut plexiglass without melting?
If cutting plexiglass with a table saw, make sure you have a blade that works with acrylic. Otherwise, you may crack or chip the thick sheet of acrylic. The best blades for plexiglass are carbide tipped. These no-melt saw blades have a design that will make a smooth edge without melting the acrylic sheet.
