how do i cut acrylic

[l7.64ss]

will a jigsaw work???

[Luke122]

Welcome to TBCS!

Jigsaws typically make very poor cuts in acrylic, due to the heat generated by the blade. Depending on the thickness, the "score and snap" method works VERY well.

I have had some success cutting with a jigsaw, although a few additional steps are needed. What I did was use a piece of masking (or painters) tape on both sides of the acrylic, and had my cut line measurement drawn on the tape. The tape helps prevent binding and melting, which can make a big mess when using a jigsaw.

Also, try to run the saw at a lower speed, to try and prevent heat build up as well.

For thicker pieces, a bandsaw or table saw tends to work best. :)

[Trace]

Also, use a very fine tooth blade on the jigsaw!

[l7.64ss]

thank u for ur help :)

[TheGreatSatan]

Thin acrylic will cut very easily with a plexi knife. You scour it a few times and snap it off.

[Oneslowz28]

You will also need a blade with a high tooth count if you go the jigsaw route. between 18tip and 24tpi is perfect. The trick with cutting anything with a jig saw is to always make sure you have 3-5 teeth in the workpiece at all times.

Moving this to the help section.

[Drum Thumper]

The snap method listed above works extremely well for straight lines. It also works quite well for styrene.

If you have some detail work that needs to be done, I'd seriously suggest farming the work out to someone or a company that does laser etching/cutting.

Check the Trading Post subforum here, we have a member that offers such services at a very competitive price.

[l7.64ss]

scour? does this mean make deep lines?

[Collinstheclown]

Yeah, use a metal ruler to guide the blade. Do it quite a few times (amount depends on thickness), then line the scoured line up with the edge of a table or something and snap it.

Personally I recommened investing in a scroll saw for plexi no more then 1/2" thick. Anything more and your going to have touble with melting. For 1/2" and up I recommened a bandsaw.




-CollinstheClown

[l7.64ss]

c i have to admit that this web sites gallery and work logs are almost unmotivating me cuz i dont have all kinds of $ to go and buy a thousand tools that it looks like i need to get into modding.

[Collinstheclown]

A utility knife isn't expensive... I was just recommending. There are lots opf mods here done on the cheap that came out nice.

You could always get a cheap coping saw, if you wanna use a saw. They are basically manual scroll saws.




-CollinstheClown