CUTTING ACRYLIC

[shelaby]

ok guys, im building my own acrylic case, already have all the plans for it, but i dont know how to cut it, like are there any tricks to it, specials saw blades, using table saw by the way, any info would be helpful, thanx guys
hoopsta1423

 

[Hazer]

Ive been playing recently with acrylic:

For table saw: Get a saw blade with with alot of teeth and as little kerf as possible (kerf = how far the cutting teeth stick out from the side of the blade). Most blades will say what they are made for, look for one that says its good for cutting vinyl siding.

If you do any drilling, you may want to get a second set of cheap drillbits. Using regular drill bits will cause cracks. They sell drill bits for acrylic, but they too much money. Buy a cheap set of bits, and use a grinding stone (dremel or bench grinder) and make the point a 45 degree angle. Then take a small round file and resharpen the blades on the point.

A dremel with 1/8th straight routing bit can make some good cutouts. Use a lower speed and try to keep things lubricated as possible to keep the melting down. Soapy water actually works pretty good. The $15 cutting guide works very well. You can make a cutout guide first, and then clamp it to the acrylic to do you cutouts. You can also use this method to make the straignt cuts to with a straight edge as the guide.

There's some good tips over at bit-tech.net in the forums section

 

[shelaby]

ok thanx for the help man

 

[cheapgoose]

i've been working on my case, and if you have a table saw, that's great, if not, just use a knife. score it, and bend over a table or something, the break is pretty clean. the guiding thingy dremel makes workes pretty good. and no need for a second set of drill bits, just make damn sure that when you drill through completely, do not push hard, the hole will crack if you push through the other side, just apply light pressure, and everything will be fine.

good luck!

oh, and if you don't want to mess with soapy water, imho lube is not needed. I actually use my dremel at it's highest speed, cut, melt off what you don't need then finish with a fine grit sandpaper.

 

[OulOat]

For drilling: Place the acrylic in between two pieces of wood. Drill through everything. There, no cracks.

 

[Chrono310]

I actually prefer tracing my shape onto the protective plastic film and then cutting it with a jigsaw. I tried using a dremel and cutting wheel, but that didn't work out to well.

For bending, I've had some pretty good luck with just my blowtorch and a 90º corner (like a counter or something). You just have to make sure not to bubble it when you heat it.

 

[Hazer]

The cutting whell s***s for finish work. Using the cutting bit or a straight routing bit works nicely.

 

[Jeff7]

And cut it nice and slow, otherwise you might get lots of wee little cracks all along the cut.