which dremel bit to use to cut acrylic?

[Croton]

Which dremel bit and/or adapter do u use to cut thru acrylic?

i have the professional version - the one where u can adjust the rpms. i usually use the cutting wheel, but that spits acrylic EVERYWHERE, and it's messy and looks bad!

what bit are u supposed to use?

ning

 

[ChefJoe]

I thought the general idea was to drill a large hole quickly so things don't get too hot, then use a dremil to rough cut (slowly, a bit at a time with a fiberglass reenforced cutting wheel... heat's the main enemy here). then to polish down to the final cut you want with said dremil tool.

heat is what makes it go to poop.


Alternative for rough cut is a jig-saw/band saw. Should be able to pick up a hand version with a number of replacement blades for $20 or so.

 

[junthin]

Hehe...I would like some answers too! My dremel is kiling the acrylic. Any suggestions? How about on lexan or plexiglass? Thanks in advance!

 

[sygyzy]

I am assuming you are doing this for a window. If that is the case, it does not matter if it melts the acrylic or plexiglass or lexan. You are going to have it either mounted on the inside and held with brackets or in a rubber gasket. Either way when you are done just use a sander bit to smooth the edges and nobody will notice after you install it. I cut mine with a single speed dremel and sure it melted it but nobody is the wiser.

 

[Croton]

no not for a window..i've already done that

i want to make a case like flood5's, and i want to cut fan holes in the acrylic.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Croton, if I were you, I would skip the Dremel and use a drill to drill a pilot hole, then use a jig saw. The jog saw won't heat the plexi up. Just make sure that you tape the bottom of the jig saw before you use it directly on the surface of plexi as the metal bottom will leave marks. Hope this helps.

 

[Croton]

sigh....

gotta get a jig saw then

heh

 

[Zim Hosein]

Croton, jig saws aren't expensive at you local home improvement store $30-$40 dollars, besides once you have one, you'll find plenty of uses for one. I bought mine when I was in HS so my friends & I could build a 3/4 ramp, since then, I've used it plenty of times for different uses.

 

[asheesh]

Hmmm...

Why dont you just use a regular hole saw bit (like the kind to cut a hole for the lock in a wooden door). JUst go slowly and you wont melt it. Also, you could have someone spray water on the bit while it is cutting. With this setup, I seriously doubt it will melt. A hole saw is like 6 bucks...


Asheesh

 

[Pul54r]

The reason the acrylic is melting is due to a lack of heat transfer. A dremel "grinds" away what you are cutting. A jigsaw, however, actually tears the material away and most of the heat goes with the material you are removing.

And type of quick-cutting saw will work. Hack saw, jewlery saw, Drill hole cutter, jig saw. If you REALLY want to cut acrylic with your dremel, you'll want to put it on the lowest rpm setting and push very hard to remove the most amount of material possible. You'll also want to get a dremel cutting bit (not a cut off wheel, but a wheel with actual teeth). Go with a hole saw that fits on a drill for perfect holes.

 

[JDorn]

last time I tried to cut some Plexi, i attempted to use my jigsaw and it was a very very bad idea, the up down harmonic motion of the blade will crack the plexi very easily.

 

[DongTran]

hi ning,

i would use a fine blade jigsaw, works great for me, and can turn out to be very even if you are careful. of course i haven't jigged any LEXAN in years, i've been letting my friend water-cut my lexan for me. razor sharp edges, computer programmed accuracy, pretty much the way to go.



p.s., should mention that dremel bits get MUCH hotter than jigsaw bits....

 

[Croton]

damn u guys and your tools!

i just used my grout attachment to cut my acrylic - not the prettiest, but it works.it's not so smooth, but that's what sanding is for!

i think i might go convince my pops to turn our garage into a workshop so i can get some nifty tools. heheh

thx for your advice people!!!