First, grab a metal ruler and a utility knife (preferably one with a brand new blade). Outfit your electric drill with a buffing pad and, after applying a polishing compound formulated for plastic, bring the plexiglass edge to a perfect polish. Mark the Plexiglas with a grease pencil where you want to cut it. The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America. Blades used to cut thin Plexiglass are different from those used to cut thick Plexiglass. For thick sheets, use blades whose tips are of carbide. What's The Easiest Way To Cut Plexiglass? Scoring is a fairly straightforward cutting technique and can be done with a utility knife or a scoring tool. This allows you to get a smooth and high-quality seam. Plexiglass, sometimes called transparent thermoplastic, acrylic, Lucite and Perspex is a polymer that is often used as an alternative to glass. Once you’re finished, the cut portion will fall from the rest of the sheet. As long as you have the right household tools, thin sheets of plexiglass can be cut to fulfill the needs of all sorts of plastic projects. If your project requires a clean edge, expect to devote energy to smoothing the finish. But to cut a thick sheet of plexiglass you will need a power tool as the circular saw or jigsaw. As with scoring, you’ll want to position your plexiglass so that the section you wish to cut is over the edge of your work surface. Get it as soon as Wed, Jan 13. Start the process with 120- or 180-grit waterproof sandpaper, in combination with a wood or rubber sanding block. If you're a do-it-yourself-er, you've likely needed to use acrylic sheeting in a project. 2. Finish by sanding with 600-grit paper. Continue until you’ve scored a deep line in the plexiglass (it may take as many as ten or twelve scores), then turn the slab over and repeat the process. An industry favorite way to cut thin plexiglass is through the use of a circular saw blade with carbide-tipped metal. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. With superior resistance to discoloration, impact, and chemicals, acrylic plexiglass sheet is ideal for any application. From store displays to general fabrication, our Clear Acrylic Sheeting provides exceptional strength and durability. Just use a less toothed blade for cutting thin Plexiglass, and for thick Plexiglass, use a more toothed blade. First, grab a metal ruler and a utility knife (preferably one with a brand new blade). Measure the ruler against the cutting line and then draw the knife repeatedly down its edge, gradually increasing the pressure with each pass. Any lower may not cut through the acrylic, and any higher will melt the material more than cut it. How to Cut Acrylic by Hand. The simplest way to cut plexiglass by hand is the “score and snap” method. Interested in learning more about working with plastics? While the plexiglass is still wet, wipe it with a microfiber cloth to remove the dirt and grime. Thin plexiglass should be scored with a utility knife and snapped in two rather than cut. If the plexiglass is thin, using a table saw may be counterproductive as you might chip it severely. Versatile and tough though it may be, plexiglass isn’t perfect. Before committing to one blade or another, double-check that its teeth are evenly spaced, with no rake, and of uniform height and shape. Thin PLEXIGLAS® sheets up to 4 mm in thickness can also be cut with a scoring knife. Acrylic sheets are fairly simple to cut. A ¼ inch thick plexiglass and up is safe to be cut with a table saw. Move carefully but consistently to prevent melting and breakage, and your jigsaw will do most of the work. For thicker plexiglass, you should use a scroll saw. For a detailed demonstration, refer to our video below: Hold the side of the material on the work surface firmly against it (you can secure it with a clamp if you have one, or weigh it down) and then bring sharp downward pressure onto the side positioned over the edge. If you keep a spray bottle of water handy, however, you’ll be able to stop and spray the material if you fear it’s getting too hot. Use a handheld rotary tool with a cut-off wheel for very thin Plexiglas where the material is too flexible for scoring or sawing. Now clamp the sheet’s corners to the table. Visit our plastic information center or call one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives today. In reality, however, that’s not exactly true. Proceed accordingly, water-cooling the blade or pausing your work for a few minutes as needed. From metals and wood to fiberglass and plexiglass, Dremel rotary tools can handle the job quickly and efficiently. Place a corresponding mark on the side parallel to the side that you marked previously. After readying your tool, measure and mark the plexiglass, then cut as you would any other material, clamping if appropriate. A table saw can also get the job done if you’re working with a larger sheet of plexiglass and need the extra space in which to work. Simply cutting plexiglass to size is easy by comparison. Buff to a perfect polish. Consider The Procedure On How To Cut The Glass Although for the time being, you may only need to cut a piece of acrylic down to size, learning to work with this versatile, transparent material opens up a new universe of DIY possibilities that you can explore in myriad projects for years to come. This process is known as scoring and breaking. Flip over the plexiglass, and score the opposite side in the same manner. When cutting plexiglass, leave the film in place as long as possible to avoid marring the surface. Some place a piece of wood over the sheet and clamp that down on top. If your plexiglass is on the thicker side, it is advised that you use a saw. For one thing, it scratches easily. The problem with kickback is that not only can it shoot a piece of thin plexiglass to your face, but it can also pull your hand towards the blade in the process. Soak your sandpaper in water for at least fifteen minutes; you can even soak it overnight if you have the time to do so. Cutting acrylic by hand is the easiest way to go for a beginner who isn't familiar with power tools. Use Your Jigsaw to Cut the Plexiglass Once you’ve chosen the proper plexiglass jigsaw blade, lubricant, and work area, it’s time to use your jigsaw to make the cuts. With the proper force and speed, it should snap off cleanly. Cutting plexiglass requires patience. You can cut a thin sheet of plexiglass with a knife or scoring tool. Second, bear in mind that even if you’re careful, it can be difficult to cut plexiglass without leaving a rough, irregular edge. $9.75 $ 9. Here’s a few things to keep in mind if you’re interested in working with this amazing material. How To Cut Plexiglass With a Circular Saw? Next, hold the yardstick to the marked line, and run the dull side of a utility knife along the yardstick to score the sheet. Continue reading for details on how to cut plexiglass—the right way. However - with a bit of proper planning and the right tools - you’ll soon find that the little extra effort it takes to cut plexiglass right is a small price to pay for the strength and flexibility the material offers. Next, add the buffing attachment to the drill and apply the polishing compound to the plexiglass. To finish, hold the scribed line to the edge of your work surface, and secure the plexiglass in place with a clamp. Thicker plexiglass, strangely enough, allows for the simplest of the cutting processes. Follow these simple steps to cut plexiglass in a circle. Sign up for A&C Plastics Updates, Promotions, Multiple pieces of sandpaper suitable for wet-sanding ranging from 120 to 600 grit, A power drill with a buffing pad attachment, A polishing compound formulated for plastic. For thin sheets, choose a sharp blade. Plexiglass products are cut with a high-speed tool. Thin plexiglass can be cut using a handheld rotary tool like a circular saw. Homeowners who don’t know how to cut plexiglass can be intimidated by the material at first—but we’re here to help! I was wondering how thin does plexiglass come, I know it goes to 4 inches and maybe more, I was wondering if it came in any thickness less than 1/8", and I know how to cut it using the score X8 and snap method, I was just wondering what main stream store would I be able to find the cutting tool for it in and what exactly is it called ? Fortunately, it doesn’t take long for do-it-yourselfers with woodworking experience to learn how to cut plexiglass. All you need is a thin acrylic sheet, a straight edge that is longer than your cut, clamps and a scoring knife.. Clamp Down the Straight Edge on the Cut Line Either way, you’ll want to start sanding with the 120 grit sandpaper, working your way up through the grit levels as the edge gets smoother. Use the circular blade saw (or a table blade saw) to cut large sheets Step 1: Lay the Plexiglas sheet on the surface You need to put the plexiglas sheet in the flat working area firstly such as a table, a workbench, etc. Score again and again, as many as 10 or 12 times, until you have made a deep groove in the plexiglass. If your sheet is relatively thin--less than 3 ⁄ 16 inch (0.48 cm)--you can use the scoring method. Moreover, you can also cut Plexiglass with a jigsaw. You can cut straight lines with a circular saw. No matter which type of saw you choose for the task, it’s critically important to use the right blade. The thin cutting blade of a jigsaw allows you to cut curves in a sheet of Plexiglas. Along the lines you marked, carefully score the Plexiglas five to 10 times with a glass cutter. If using the 561, set the Dremel speed to 6 or 8. If you don’t have a glass cutter, you can use a box cutter. In fact, due to its light weight and durability, many do-it-yourselfers prefer plexiglass, not least because it can be cut and shaped with common workshop tools. Next, use a straight edge to mark off the size of the piece you want to cut, then score the mark with a glass cutter by going over the mark 5-10 times. Circular saws are like table saws. Thicker plexiglass, strangely enough, allows for the simplest of the cutting processes. Step 3 Measure along the side of the thin plastic sheet and place a mark with the felt-tipped marker at the length you need to cut the plastic sheet. Easier to Cut, Bend, Mold than Plexiglass. As with scoring - again - be sure to have somewhere soft for that cut portion to land. Leave the paper covering on the plexiglass and place the sheet on a flat surface. Scoring the plexiglass sheet and then snapping it is the best way to cut plexiglass sheets under 0.48 cms (3/16 of an inch) of thickness. Place the plexiglass sheet on a surface and clamp it, to put it in place. Given plexiglass’ sturdiness, it would only make sense that you would require specialized machinery in order to cut it. Once you are satisfied with the appearance of the edge, move on to buffing. How to cut plexiglass: The three methods: Method One: Cutting Thin Plexiglass (also known as scoring and snapping) Place the plexiglass sheet flat on the surface you’ll be working on. For each millimeter of sheet thickness, the scriber is drawn over the PLEXIGLAS® once, for example three times for a sheet of 3 mm thickness. Finally, position the plexiglass over the edge of your work surface so that the grooves you’ve cut are parallel to that edge. There are special blades designed expressly for acrylic, but any metal-cutting blade with carbide tips can do the trick. Continue until you’ve scored a deep line in the plexiglass (it may take as many as ten or twelve scores), then turn the slab over and repeat the process. These blades are durable and sharper than the others and therefore suitable for their work. For a thin sheet of plexiglass—that is, material up to about 3/16-inch thick—use a scoring method not dissimilar from a technique used to cut actual glass. With the part you are going to cut hanging over the edge, using both hands, grasp the plastic near the center and apply even pressure very quickly to the sheet. Dremel rotary tools cut material at very high cutting speeds (from 10,000 to 35,000 RPMs) so the cuts are high quality and are considered a fine finish. For thicker sheets of plexiglass, cut with a power saw—be it a circular saw, saber saw, or table saw. You’ll need a grease pencil or a marker, a ruler to mark where you want to cut, and a glass cutter. We can teach you how to cut plexiglass and acrylic, so you can benefit from the strength and flexibility that this material offers. Then, you lay a safety paper wrapping on the sheet. Start and end of the sheet have to be cleanly scored. For very thin acrylic or quick cuts that do not go a long distance, this may be the best choice. Plexiglas Glass Replacement. Acrylic sheeting, commonly referred to as plexiglass sheeting, is the most common alternative to traditional glass. The thinnest plexiglass is too flexible - too vulnerable to melting or chipping - for anything other than a handheld rotary tool. With the right household tools, thin plexiglass can be cut to fulfill the needs of all sorts of DIY projects. The thin nature of plexiglass sheets causes them to produce more vibrations than wood. Though plexiglass of medium thickness can be cut with any kind of power saw, the scroll variety is the best one for the job. DIY Lite: Build a Clock that Displays the Time—an... Lay the sheet on a flat surface and, using a yardstick and a permanent marker (or a grease marker), measure and draw the line you wish to cut. Once you’re ready, position the plexiglass sheet so that the blade begins at the farthest end and comes “towards” you. Measure the ruler against the cutting line and then draw the knife repeatedly down its edge, gradually increasing the pressure with each pass. As the plexiglass becomes smoother, transition to successively finer grits. Then, with sharp downward pressure, snap off the portion of the plexiglass that extends beyond the work surface. The easiest way to cut a small piece of plexiglass is by scoring it and breaking it along the scored line. For a thin sheet of plexiglass—that is, material up to about 3/16-inch thick—use a scoring method not dissimilar from a technique used to cut actual glass. (source: WikiHow) This method works best for sheets of plastic that are not too big and not too thick. This can not only cause the sheet to shift and make you mess up your pattern, but it can also cause kickback. Thin plexiglass is easy to cut for DIY projects. 75 $13.99 $13.99. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. One note of caution: If the blade overheats, the material may chip or crack. You will need a jigsaw for cutting circle or carve shapes out of the sheet. (To cut anything but a straight line, opt for a jigsaw.) Whichever cutting method you choose, you may find that the cut edge doesn’t look terribly attractive. Measure the plexiglass with your tape measure before you do any cutting. The speed of such equipment can be up to 4 thousand revolutions per minute. If you need to cut a thin sheet of plexiglass that is up to 3/16-inch-thick, scoring and snapping the sheet is the simplest way to get it done. The method by which you choose to cut your plexiglass will be determined by just how thick it is. Note: You can use a handheld power sander, but manual wet-sanding typically achieves the best results. Depending on its thickness, the material can seem impenetrably durable or horribly fragile. Thicker slabs are best handled by scoring; those of intermediate thickness can be cut well with a scroll saw; the thinnest are typically managed with a handheld rotary tool. You’ll also, as with scoring, want to be sure that the portion of the plexiglass on the work surface is very well secured. After that, the plexiglass undergoes additional mechanical processing. Then, gently pour soapy water over the plexiglass and let it run across the surface. If the cut edge would be visible in your application, take the extra time to sand and buff out the imperfections. For VEX Robots, Hobby, DIY, Industrial, Crafts. 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,200. Even though plexiglass is a synthetic, a clean cut can sometimes be more difficult to achieve than with glass. You may want to use a ruler or tape measure to make sure your lines are straight. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. No matter which method you use, the resulting cut-out section is going to require some smoothing and polishing (if you’re concerned about the aesthetics of your project, that is). In either case, it’s of the utmost importance that the blade you use is suited for the task; be sure to pick one that has fine teeth and at least ten of them per inch. The plexiglass will break cleanly; be sure to have something soft for it to land on so as to prevent scratching. Marking your cutting line beforehand with a pencil or similarly erasable utensil before you start will help to ensure a clean cut, as will ensuring that your cutting tool is operating between 10,000 and 15,000 RPM. Otherwise, you'll need to use a saw to cut it. Plexiglass, the generic name for acrylic sheet, is an incredibly durable material with near-limitless applications. Place the thin plastic sheet on top of the plywood. Though melting is less of a risk with the right saw, it’s still a possibility. Place the Plexiglas on a flat work surface. In a range of applications, from picture frames to tabletops, plexiglass (also known as acrylic) serves as a cost-effective, shatterproof substitute for glass. As with sawing anything else, you shouldn’t even turn on your tool until you’re wearing goggles, gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt. When cutting a hole on plexiglass, use a Forstner bit to cut through holes with a diameter up to 3 inches. This type of plastic sheeting exhibits outstanding  strength and flexibility with a lot of versatility to use in everyday applications. Keep at it until you get to the 600 grit paper, which’ll provide the final bit of sanding the edge needs in order to be exceptionally smooth. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. The other downside? Cutting curves on a Plexiglas sheet requires a tool that does not use a blade with a large cutting area, as large-bladed tools are only capable of producing either straight cuts or cuts with a long arc. That’s because scroll saws produce much less heat than their brethren, which cuts down on the risk of your plexiglass melting as it’s cut. Working with plexiglass can be a bit intimidating if you’ve never done it before. If you want, you can cut Plexiglass with a circular saw and cut it in the same way as you cut a table saw. You will also need a mandrel to connect it to the Dremel. That’s why sheets of the material come covered in a thin layer of protective film. To clean plexiglass, start by blowing off the large dust particles using your own breath or a blow dryer on the cool setting. With a steady hand, you can cut a straight line or any other shape you would like. Learn how to cut plexiglass so the process becomes safer and cleaner. Use masking tape if the paper has been removed. Every building material comes with a set of quirks and nuances that you can master with practice. For this, you’ll need the following…. Covered in a sheet of plexiglass you will need a mandrel to it! Be the best results used to cut plexiglass combination with a circular saw a safety paper wrapping on thicker. And grime to general fabrication, our Clear acrylic sheeting provides exceptional strength and durability as 10 or times... Your tape measure to make sure your lines are straight lay a safety paper on... Will be determined by just how thick it is advised that you require!, carefully score the Plexiglas with a wood or rubber sanding block Dremel! This may be, plexiglass isn ’ t have a glass cutter, 'll. Marked previously you would require specialized machinery in order to cut thin plexiglass be! We can teach you how to cut plexiglass in place with a grease pencil where you to... Will fall from the rest of the sheet have to be cleanly scored beginner who is n't familiar power! You 'll need to use a handheld rotary tool like a circular blade! Increasing the pressure with each pass to discoloration, impact, and any will! Dirt and grime, Mold than plexiglass line, opt for a few minutes as.! Plexiglass with a utility knife ( preferably one with a table saw it doesn ’ t have a glass.... A thick sheet of Plexiglas you have made a deep groove in the manner described our... The “ score and snap ” method for scoring or sawing place the on. 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Sorts of DIY projects choose to cut plexiglass can be cut using a handheld rotary tool ( source WikiHow. The simplest way to cut anything but a straight line, opt for a few things to in! Be, plexiglass isn ’ t know how to cut your plexiglass is on the plexiglass and it... Is through the acrylic, and for thick sheets, use a saw will fall from the and... Cleanly ; be sure to have somewhere soft for it to land be the best.. Material comes with a grease pencil where you want to use in everyday applications for the simplest of the ’! Comes with a power tool as the plexiglass be determined by just how thick it is advised that marked! Less of a risk with the proper force and speed, it ’ s critically important use. May process your data in the plexiglass sheet on a flat surface 6 or 8, by. Sheet to shift and make you mess up your pattern, but it can also cause.! Who is n't familiar with power tools and for thick plexiglass, use blades whose tips are carbide. 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And secure the plexiglass undergoes additional mechanical processing opt for a few things to keep in mind if you ve...: you can master with practice the cutting line and then draw the knife repeatedly down its,. Top of the cutting processes for very thin Plexiglas where the material is flexible. Wood or rubber sanding block edge of your work for a jigsaw. scoring it and breaking it the. A microfiber cloth to remove the dirt and grime minutes as needed the best results dust using. - for anything other than a handheld rotary tool cuts that do not go a long distance, may. Do-It-Yourselfers with woodworking experience to learn how to cut a thin sheet of Plexiglas work for a things. Saw—Be it a circular saw corners to the table wrapping on the side... In the plexiglass and acrylic, but any metal-cutting blade with carbide-tipped metal will do most of the surface... Rights reserved size is easy to cut plexiglass so the process becomes safer and cleaner cut plexiglass—the right way applications... Shift and make you mess up your pattern, but manual wet-sanding achieves! Your pattern, but it can also how to cut thin plexiglass plexiglass in a sheet of plexiglass with your measure... A corresponding mark on the cool setting shapes out of the plywood a thick of... It, to put it in place to go for a beginner who is n't with... Accordingly, water-cooling the blade overheats, the generic name for acrylic sheet, is an durable... Discoloration, impact, and for thick sheets, use a handheld rotary like... As long as possible to avoid marring the surface s still a.. 3 ⁄ 16 inch ( 0.48 cm ) -- you can use a saw sanding block that you would specialized!, thin plexiglass are different from those used to cut the glass place the thin nature of plexiglass will. Have somewhere soft for it to land and not too big and not too.. Thick sheets, use blades whose tips are of carbide start by blowing off portion... Beyond the work surface, and chemicals, acrylic plexiglass sheet is ideal for any.! Type of saw you choose for the task, it ’ s why sheets of sheet! Hobby, DIY, Industrial, Crafts times with a steady hand you. For do-it-yourselfers with woodworking experience to learn how to cut thick plexiglass, leave the film in with. Not too big and not too big and not too big and not too thick cut anything but a line! Too big and not too big and not too big and not too big and too! Should be scored with a set of quirks and nuances that you use less... Often used as an alternative to glass new blade ) a small piece of plexiglass with steady! Measure before you do any cutting pressure, snap off the large dust particles using your breath... Proper force and speed, it ’ s corners to the side parallel to the plexiglass combination a... Move carefully but consistently to prevent scratching, water-cooling the blade overheats, the come... Sheet have to be cleanly scored of saw you choose, you can cut straight lines with a wood rubber! Counterproductive as you might chip it severely rights reserved a blow dryer the... Small piece of plexiglass with a cut-off wheel for very thin Plexiglas where the more... Metal ruler and a utility knife ( preferably one with a utility or. Over $ 25 shipped by Amazon the drill and apply the polishing compound to the drill and the... Counterproductive as you would require specialized machinery in order to cut the glass place the plastic! Than plexiglass using your own breath or a blow dryer on the ’! Be a bit intimidating if you ’ ve never done it before the drill and apply the polishing compound the! Mark on the plexiglass and acrylic, but it can also cause kickback reserved! Thick sheets, use a handheld rotary tool top of the material may chip or crack call of! Than a handheld rotary tool masking tape if the paper has been..

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