cutting plexiglass

[Jsunn]

Hello All,

I really couldn't find what I was looking for.

I needed to cut a notch in a piece of plexiglass for a new case window I am putting on my computer.

I have tried using a hobbie saw without any luck.

Will a router tool bit on a dremel be able to get the notch cut out without shattering the plexiglass?

Thanks for your help.
-Jason

[taowulf]

http://www.tapplastics.com/info/video.php

Go down to how to cut plastic sheet and see if that steers you in the right direction.

Hobby saw?

Ahh, found what you were talking about. The teeth are probably too small to be effective.

[Madpyro]

My guess would be that a dremel has just about high enough RPM to do it.

Just a guess though :)

[jtf2]

a dremel will work.
go slow cause if you go too fast it just melts the plexi too fast.
a jig saw also works well.
if using a jigsaw,clamp plexi down.
important that you use a high tpi blade

[little_scrapper]

My personel experience:

If you need to cut a hole in a sheet then a dremel will work, use a 1/8" or so drill bit or rotary cutting bit, but as stated you need to move very slowly as you are pretty much "melting your way around".

If you need to make straight cuts and "assuming" you have limited tools at your disposal then what you do is using a straight edge, "lightly" score a line".

Use a level or the back of a handsaw or whatever you may have lying around/able to borrow that is straight. Take a utility knife and "lightly" score a line and rescore it. And continue to rescore that line...lightly until you have penetrated roughly half way through. At that point it can and will break across your score line. I have done this many times. Ghetto style acrylic/plexiglass cutting. It works. If you wind up with any Jaggies then simply grab them with a pliers and "flex" then off by prying at the score line. Sand or file as needed to finish and srtaighten. Fan guards and such can cover blemishes.

My Passive Ghetto mod: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=153453

[man_bear_pig]

I don't know about a dremel, but I do know that there are plastic blades for a circular saw/table saw. They have fine teeth and aren't carbide tipped.

[Navig]

A lot the recommendations are going to depend on details. A pic would be greatly helpful of what shape you exactly need to cut out.

A dremel with a bit works, but will cause melts, and unless you are using a guide jig, unlikely to make an exact shape.

Best overall tool to cut plastic would be a scrollsaw, if you have access to one.

If it is a straight line or a very slow curve you wish to cut, a jigsaw works well.

A lot also depends on the specific quality of plastic and its melting point.


I think the MOST IMPORTANT piece of advice is to practice on scrap plastic first.

navig

[Jsunn]

http://Jsunn.zoints.com/image/75520-WiththeSidepanelon

I needed to cut a notch out for the handle on the left side of the window. The latching handle is in the way and I can't mount a strait edged window without cutting a rectangle for the handle about an inch deep.

-J

[Navig]

If you have a scrollsaw available I would:

Drill 2 small holes inside the corners of the rectangle you wish to cut out.

Scrollsaw to the holes, use the holes to turn the jigsaw, and cut out the rectangle.

Square the round holes with a file.





If you have a dremel/jigsaw.

Jigsaw the horizontal cuts from the edges.

Carefully use a dremel and a cutting disk with slow speed and frequent breaks (to allow the plastic to cool), cut a starter slot for the longer vertical cut.

From the starter slot, use the jigsaw to make the vertical cut to the horizontal cuts made earlier.

Clean your edges with a file and sandpaper.


Remember, mask everything and practice first.


navig