A useful plexi tool.

[Beta-brain]

Sorry if you took the time to read this and the photos were missing I cleaned up my web space and moved the folder with the photos for this page in :facepalm:

I know a lot has been written about polishing the edges on plexi but I have found a neat little tool that can save a lot of time and I thought I would post about it as I can't see that it's been mentioned before.

It's just a simple scraper made from hardened steel
http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%20plexi/scraper%20(Small).jpg

The scraper won't put a polished finish on plexi but it will remove saw blade marks left from jig saws and band saws etc, really quickly, it's much easier than trying to remove those marks with a file or spending a silly amount of time with wet and dry paper :down:

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%20plexi/scraper%20flat%20(Medium).jpg

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/plexi/scraper%20flat%20(Medium).jpg
Here's a typical bit of plexi I cut with a jig saw and on the right after a few strokes the marks left by the saw blade are gone and your left with a much smoother surface to start polishing.
http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%20plexi/plexi%20edge%207%20(Large).jpg

I've also used the small v-cutout on the scraper just to smooth off the edges of the plexi but you can use it to completely round the edge off and save yourself some more time instead of filing or sanding.
http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%20plexi/scraper%20curved%20(Medium).jpg

I find that once you have scraped the edge you can get a very good finish without spending hours polishing just by using some 600 or 800 grade wet/dry and then some 1000 grade with water then dry it off and use some T-cut or similar paint cutting compound to get a final polished finish, it pays to wrap the wet/dry around a sanding block when sanding as this will help to sand evenly and also cover more area than just using a finger or your thumb.
http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%20plexi/wet%20dry%20(Medium).jpg

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%20plexi/t%20cut%20(Small).jpg

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%20plexi/plexi%20edge%20polished%20(Small).jpg
I bought my scraper from http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49&products_id=892&osCsid=h3g88kfphrsmqphjpgm74vqe71

[Oneslowz28]

Great tip. Thanks for the write up. + rep

[Oneslowz28]

Looks like your source is out of them. Here is another.
http://everythingplastic.thomasnet.com/item/edge-scraper/edge-scraper-by-craftics/pn-1119
and one more
http://www.rplastics.com/edge-scraper.html

I just put it on my list of things to buy.

[Beta-brain]

Thanks for putting a link to a shop that has the scraper in stock :facepalm:
and the rep :)

[Oneslowz28]

no problem. I also gave you a medal for a completed tutorial.

[SXRguyinMA]

I got one of those when I ordered all my stuff, havent used it yet though, but glad to know it works good :up:

[mDust]

Wow...I didn't know there was a tool for this, and it never dawned on me to check. I'm currently planning a project that is mostly acrylic and this will be a lifesaver! Thanks for posting this several months before I needed it. +rep:D

(And as for me posting in an old thread: it had the most recent post already so no harm done.)

[burntheland]

I GOTS to get me one of dose! +rep thanks!

[linhely]

I got one of those when I ordered all my stuff, havent used it yet though, but glad to know it works good