Tool for cutting plastic lighting panels?

[brtspears2]

There a special tool to cut these overhead lighting panels without cracking the plastic?

On the cheap, no power tools. Just something to cut it, no need for massive uber drill, no money or need for it.

 

[BennyD]

dremel?

 

[amnesiac]

The electricians I've seen just use a box cutter or similar knife to score it, then crack it along the score.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

We make those where I work. We use a large, heated (very hot) razor sharp shear.

 

[Ornery]

You need a Plexiglass scoring knife, but I can't find a picture of one. It scribes a 'V' groove into it before you snap it. A utility knife is a little too sharp believe it or not.

 

[brtspears2]

Ok, I get it now. I need a scoring blade, to cut deep enough into the plastic, then just snap it off?

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: Ornery
You need a Plexiglass scoring knife, but I can't find a picture of one. It scribes a 'V' groove into it before you snap it. A utility knife is a little too sharp believe it or not.

We have guys at work that can break it pretty much where they want it with even a pair of channel-locks. The sheets are big enough they just pick it up and get a bend in it and just tap the edge with just about anything. Breaks in a fairly straight edge depending on what plastic we are running.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: BennyD
dremel?

 

[Ornery]

Hey look, Stanley makes one for their utility knives: 3 5/32 inch Scoring Knife Blade It's best to have the right tool for the job if you don't have much stock, or it's expensive.

 

[Ornery]

Look what I just found today. It's about 30 years old, and I remember buying it!

 

[brtspears2]

I found a fixed blade utility knife, went to lowes, and bought a scoring blade for $4

Knife

Final product

Now I notice after hanging the panels, I got mismatched lights.

 

[Ornery]

Hey, nice! So, which temperature light do you prefer?

 

[brtspears2]

Dunno, I just like bright, like the ones that are closer in the light picture above.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Tool for cutting plastic lighting panels?

i dunno, are they?

 

[HappyPuppy]

Yep, you just need a scoring tool. They cost 2 or 3 bucks. Lay a straightedge on the plastic, score it and then snap it.