Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Cutting (Sawing) Acrylic (Slightly OT)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    87

    Cutting (Sawing) Acrylic (Slightly OT)

    I have a 14" band saw and a 10" table saw and I'll be needing to cut 1/2" acrylic (Plexiglass). I'm reluctant to use my wood cutting blades. What saw and blade do you recommend?
    Thanks,
    Bob Kline

  2. #2
    bob, most blade manufacturers offer blades to cut plastics for the tablesaw, check with your local supply house to see what they carry. i`ve never had much luck getting a clean cut in plastics on the bandsaw but any ol` 4 tooth blade will cut it.. be sure to wear safety glasses when cutting, plastic will explode and shoot shrapnel at you if you get in a bind.(first hand experience!) .02 tod
    TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I ACCEPT FULL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY POSTS ON THIS FORUM, ALL POSTS ARE MADE IN GOOD FAITH CONTAINING FACTUAL INFORMATION AS I KNOW IT.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Anaheim, California
    Posts
    6,903
    You're just chopping a big sheet up into laser-sized chunks, right?
    For that, I use a jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade.
    Yoga class makes me feel like a total stud, mostly because I'm about as flexible as a 2x4.
    "Design"? Possibly. "Intelligent"? Sure doesn't look like it from this angle.
    We used to be hunter gatherers. Now we're shopper borrowers.
    The three most important words in the English language: "Front Towards Enemy".
    The world makes a lot more sense when you remember that Butthead was the smart one.
    You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too much ammo.

  4. #4
    I use a 7" hollow ground blade in my 10" table saw. I think it's an Irwin from Home Depot. Very inexpensive. It is rated for plastics and ply. Use a wax stick to lube it.
    There are 10" TCG carbide blades with a negative hook for plastic, but they cost at least $100.
    Last edited by Jerry Allen; 07-25-2006 at 11:02 AM.

  5. Half inch may be a bit thick for this, but for 1/4" I just tilt my TS blade at 45, and then have the tip of the corner of the blade just proud of the table top, maybe 1/16" of an inch? You then score the plexi and then snap it off.

    I was shown this at a plastics place when I asked them how they cut the stuff.

    My two cents worth!

    Cheers!

Similar Threads

  1. Tips and ideas for lasers
    By Rodne Gold in forum Laser Engraving General Topics
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 03-18-2009, 1:45 AM
  2. Cutting Acrylic
    By Dan Gochnauer in forum Laser Engraving General Topics
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 01-24-2007, 8:37 PM
  3. Acrylic Haze
    By Linda Creatore in forum Laser Engraving General Topics
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 09-15-2005, 8:45 PM
  4. Acrylic and Polycarbonate
    By Pete Andrew in forum Laser Engraving General Topics
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 08-08-2005, 3:55 PM
  5. PPI For Cutting Acrylic?
    By JB Lynn in forum Laser Engraving General Topics
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-30-2005, 8:40 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •