Cutting Plexiglass/ Acrylic ??
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Topic: Cutting Plexiglass/ Acrylic ??
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Subject: Cutting Plexiglass/ Acrylic ??
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 6:47pm
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I've cut a lot of different materials in my line of work, but never plexi/acrylic panels. What is the blade/tool of choice for this project( it's a 1/4" thick panel) for a wind break on a neighbors covered porch. Thanks
The panel will be 4'x8' but I need to cut an angle (the 4' way) to match the roof angle.
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Replies:
Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 7:00pm
| Go to menards and get a plexi knife. It looks like a little hook blade. Put your straight edge on it and score it a couple times flex it and it'll break a the line. That is the cleanest way to cut plexi. You can tape it and cut with a sabre saw with a very fine blade. You'll have to sand smoot after cutting with a saw |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 7:11pm
Thanks Dave  , that's where the panel is coming from  .
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Posted By: omahagreg
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 7:37pm
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A 40 tooth circular blade does really nice! ------------- Greg Kroeker 1950 WD with wide front and Freeman trip loader |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 7:42pm
I have a few of those, does the blade need to be installed "backwards" like cutting vinyl siding ?
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omahagreg wrote:Posted By: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 7:54pm
| I usually use a cutoff wheel on a 4.5” angle grinder. Tape and mark the cut line on the tape. |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 8:00pm
| The lumber yard I worked for had us replacing glass in windows. We would use clear tape on both sides of the plexiglass and a very very fine toothed jig saw blade. We had 2 pieces of plywood layd down, almost butted together supporting the plexiglass the saw blade went between the two pieces of plywood. |
Posted By: Grayray
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 9:18pm
No. Just cut it like you are cutting plywood. The more teeth the better. I use a plywood blade, but have used a 40 tooth blade without any problems.
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Posted By: omahagreg
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 9:36pm
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Not necessary to run it backwards, but it would work fine and probably be better! I dont, I'm usually in a hurry...! ------------- Greg Kroeker 1950 WD with wide front and Freeman trip loader |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2020 at 5:32am
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80 tooth blade works very well, though I get a friend to 'cut and supply' when I have to use it. He owns signshop..... When you're done cutting, use a propane torch to 'fuse' the cut edge.No need to sand then. Do NOT try drilling holes in it though ! It'll shatter crack, unless you use 'special cut' drill bits and STILL go slow,not so slow the plastic melts into a blob and not too fast to crack it.... I use Polycarb instead of Acrylic. Poly is easily drillable AND you can tap the holes. Cuts GREAT too...... supposedly bullet proof though I've never tested that 'property'... Jay ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2020 at 7:12am
| I used clear packing tape where wanted cut line, set that edge on a sheet of plywood supported on saw horses on cross lumber to keep flat, mark the line set a straight edge for a circular saw set SHALLOW, 80T blade and walk it thru not drive it thru with a pair of hands holding the offal piece, remove tape off BOTH sides and used 600 sand paper to feather the edges |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2020 at 7:40am
| If you ever need to drill it, use a UNIBIT step drill bit. Works amazing, no grabbing or chipping or anything, smooth sailing. |
Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2020 at 11:45am
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KKeep the edge where your cutting close to the edge of what its laid on. Be very careful drilling near the edge. I've had the best success with a jig saw. Go slow! ------------- D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446 |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2020 at 6:59pm
DMiller, you have no idea of the grin on my face as to your "offal" reference
 . Pretty sure that not many on here know what that means . Thanks for the reply  . And thanks to ALL that replied  . I never dreamed plexi was a bi*%h to drill though, good to know  . |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2020 at 5:01am
| Been using that since taught it by Grandfather, ?60 years?. Refers to the Off Fall Material when cut anything so become a standard word offal. |
Posted By: Pat the Plumber CIL
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2020 at 11:04pm
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My grandfather used the term " swarth "as the material a saw or drill removes as it works German heritage maybe ? ------------- You only need to know 3 things to be a plumber;Crap rolls down hill,Hot is on the left and Don't bite your fingernails 1964 D-17 SIV 3 Pt.WF,1964 D-15 Ser II 3pt.WF ,1960 D-17 SI NF,1956 WD 45 WF. |