What Tool is Used to Drill Plexiglass at Home? Here are some things to consider. For example, if you need to stop in a half-inch hole. You can always adjust the saw blade to a height just above the Plexiglass thickness you have chosen. Yes, use DS tape to stick it to a sacrificial piece of MDF underneath, use a slow speed and a fine blade. Plastic Film If there is still a plastic film on the acrylic, it is better if you leave it in place. Does the look of a tool/machine affect your buying decision? As the title really, I want to make a complex, curved shape from plexiglass or similar, could I cut this with the finest blade I have on the bandsaw or would I encounter cracking or melting issues? I recently had a plastics place make me some 12" wide shelves with a turned up front to hold the sculptures I was putting on them out of 3/8" clear plexi. But, acrylic won't gum up a table saw blade. One other problem that you may run into with the table saw is heat. The real secret to cutting Plexiglass with a box cutter is repetition. The key is to install the blade backward because doing so will help to avoid the cracking and splintering that could otherwise occur. Im not real keen on gumming up the tablesaw by doing this. The trick is to raise the blade up high so the blade comes down on the acrylic. At that point, you can hold the edge of the scribed line on the edge of the table and with just a little force applied as a sharp pressure, it will snap cleanly along that edge. If you have a variable speed circular saw, use a lower speed while cutting the acrylic. If you are ready to cut through acrylic, there is a proper way to do so. Make sure that you are using a blade that is well suited for cutting acrylic if you are using an oscillating tool. These sliding tees are also adjustable, so you can cut angles if desired. Also, be sure to keep a straight cut; otherwise, the drill will grip. This includes cutting acrylic. have em cut it to size when ya buy it, no brainer that way. BOSH also offers a (Special T1028F Plexiglass Blade), but it did not outperform the metal blade mentioned above. For example, using a razor blade in a utility knife is a good idea. Regarding the coarse blade. the hazards of a sharp drill is that it "digs in" cracking the plastic, while the blunted drill sort of wears thru. There is also going to be a need to cut the Plexiglass, so what is the best way to do so? Understairs cupboards.first project of this type ever. BTW you can rout roundovers or bullnoses on the stuff with a router table with no problems, to finish the edges. Whichever way you cut it, it's not safer one way or another, it's about accuracy. A friend of mine has a wood shop and I was planning to cut some acrylic there for a window mod. Drilling in Plexiglass requires special commercially available drill bits. How to cut brass discs with woodworking tools. I would recommend it if you want to ruin that drill bit. Using a circular saw, what kind of blade is recommended for this? A laser is an ideal tool for engraving acrylic. Also, I was going to use the drill press for the holes to mount the windows. The film helps to prevent scratches from occurring and it will also help to keep those scratches from taking place as you are measuring and using other tools on the surface. Anything special I should know from a safety standpoint? Tony, I re-read Wayne's post and didn't see anything about using a plastic-specific bit to drill the holes with. You can cut acrylic with a miter saw but you need to be careful about the blade that you use. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. The table saw provides a perfect and precise cut. Ther is one safety factor: keep the blade hgt just above 1/4" so the sheet doesn't ride up on the blade. Place the Plexiglass on the table saw first. once you're done you can easily resharpen. Finish the edge with a router. In fact, there are times when you can simply cut the acrylic with a utility knife and a straight edge. Go Cool If you are using a power saw, it can cause excessive heating along the cut edge that would cause the acrylic to break or crack. You can also consider the following tips to ensure that the acrylic you are cutting is as clean as possible. Same applies for the drill press, you have great control over the amount of force you use, Don't use counter sunk fittings. Should you look for another tool? And that plywood eliminates all the flutter and what youre left with is a clean, smooth cut from edge to edge with no chipping or flaking every time. I had a warrant officer who had separate drills for ferrous, non ferrous,and plastics - none of his staff would have been game to touch a piece of wood with these. Tools regularly have been part of my life. I'll try that. It's held like a utility knife, but the design is different and it works better/easier. This blade is also commonly used for cutting wood, fiberglass, metals, thin sheet metal, drywall, and of course, Plexiglass. What are some of the considerations for cutting Plexiglass so that the job goes flawlessly? A drill press really helps to make a clean hole. Press J to jump to the feed. I just used standard drills, taps and counter sinks. If the protective plastic is no longer on the Plexiglass, you can use some painters tape to cover the line to help avoid splitting or cracking. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the blade itself. If it works fine, go for it and do the whole project. Some people have heard that it is possible to cut plexiglass with a box cutter. The answer really depends on a number of factors. The turned up front was about 1" and I only wanted about 1/4". Like many different types of tools, using a laser is often done for a particular purpose. Its possible, but is it the best option? You can use a stencil to draw a line or use a ruler, depending on what you will do. JavaScript is disabled. Another option is to use a little bit of water by spraying or misting the area in front of where you are cutting. Brad point bits or, for larger holes, spade bits work better than standard twist drills. You are using an out of date browser. E. Like someone else said, my first choice would be a bandsaw. An oscillating multi-tool can be used for many different purposes. Angle grinders can be used for a wide variety of purposes and they are one of the most common tools that we have available in our toolbox. It is recommended to use a fine-tooth blade, which is best for cutting Plexiglass. Is there a retailer carrying Jet JWP-12L (2022 model) thicknesser in the UK. In-depth articles, up-close photography, and detailed illustrations. The most obvious difference is the tips shape; a plastic drill bit has a more narrow sharpened tip. If your dad bought extruded acrylic it will melt. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building. It might actually be a great choice. Suppose you have an oscillating multi-tool. The best choice, however, is to use a power saw, such as a circular saw or jigsaw. Are you thinking about using a miter saw for cutting Plexiglass? Then stop and re-check and ensure that you are drilling in the correct spot before drilling with the hole saw. I just cut it with the blade in my bandsaw , which i think from memory is a 14 tooth 6mm wide blade. A razor can easily cut through a thin piece of Plexiglass, but you are not cutting the entire way through it. A fine-tooth blade is often used for cutting metal and it will cut through the acrylic without causing much damage. just enough to remove the shearing action. The trick to using the scoring tool on the thick stuffis to score, score, score, and score, LOL! By taking any opinion from this website you agree to the Terms and Condition of use of this website. You will still find that it works well and saves time. I was paranoid when I cut my acrylic, so I taped the whole thing in masking tape, then I sandwiched it between two fiber boards, clamped it then cut it, I also used some cutting lubricant because I didn't want to have melted deformities, after that I sanded the edge smooth. Some of this can be avoided by drilling into a board. Keep in mind that the Plexiglass cannot be thicker than the step drill depth when drilling. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Both materials are cut with a tablesaw far more often, so I'm not really sure what your statement means You shouldn't gum up your table saw with cast acrylic. Its always best to use the right tool for the right job. Categories Cutting, DIY, Home and Kitchen. You should be cautious when using a razor because it will have to be used with the proper tool. The most common way to cut Plexiglass is on the table saw. If you are trying to cut it with a rip saw, on the other hand, you are not going to have the same benefit while doing so. Acrylic Blades will cut the edge and they will often do so without causing some of the ragged edges that could be created when using a standard saw blade. Although you would not want to cut a large amount of Plexiglass using a hacksaw, its a good tool for shorter cuts and for short-duration work. If you have variable speed, set it to the slower speed and take your time, with a sharp blade it will cut very well, I do it all the time. Before I could ask him what its for, we got inturrupted. These have their own benefits, especially if you are using the circular saw or table saw. Hand saws also make an excellent choice for cutting any type of acrylic sheet. On the other hand, it is also possible to cut a straight line with a laser or even a curved line, but it is not going to give you the polished edge that you might expect. Is that true? Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building! Trying to cut Plexiglass has always been a challenge, especially when you dont do it for a living. At that point, you can move the acrylic so that the line is on the edge of a table and snap the Plexiglass at the line. Also, use a push block to hold everything down and keep my hand out of harms way. The bit I have is shaped like a rounded arrow. One of the problems you may run into when using an oscillating tool is that it can heat up the acrylic. Its better to move slowly and then less cleanup of the edge will be needed. If youre talking about a router table, forget it, the perspex would melt over everything and the cutter would not be reusable. No gumming if you feed quickly, but it spreads acrylic flakes all over the shop. What Tool Measures Indoor Humidity? When you get down to 600 grit sandpaper, it should have a nice, clean edge that will look good on its own. I counter sunk the holes for the mounting screws and later drilled and tapped for 1/4 by 20 threads so that I could add a fence underneath. Its that easy; its fast, simple, and leaves you with a clean hole in your Plexiglass. Perhaps the most important factor to consider when cutting acrylic is the blade choice. This can be a safety hazard so wearing the proper PPE is a good idea. As long as you use the right type of blade, you can cut Plexiglass in a nice, straight line without chipping using a circular saw. After re-evaluating, continue drilling; you want to apply a decent amount of pressure allowing the Plexiglass to melt. It is always best to use the blade specifically for cutting acrylic so that it makes a smooth, clean cut, rather than one that is jagged or cracked. I just know it came from a young offenders unit and has been used to make several jigs and patterns. Click for full details. Otherwise, ensure that you are using an acrylic blade for every cut that you make. The advantage of using a bandsaw is that it has a table where you can place the Plexiglass, again making it easy to cut curved designs. I cut acrylic all the time on a table saw. I really dont know. At other times, however, the edge is going to be exposed and that is when you would benefit the most from using a blade made for acrylic. Youll be happy to know that step drills are available in both metric and standard, giving you plenty of options for any situation you may need. Most people tend to reach for a circular saw automatically when cutting any Plexiglass. It will melt the acrylic if you do it dry, but I keep the cut and bladeflooded with water from a water pistol or a squeeze bottle. Other jigsaw blades may work in a pinch, but they will not cut nearly as cleanly as an acrylic blade. A thicker piece of acrylic will require some type of power tools, such as a circular saw or jigsaw. The blade youll need when using an oscillating multi-tool to cut Plexiglass is called (HSS Segment Blade); the (HSS Segment Blade) is has this particular shape looking similar to a half-moon shape, as you see in the image below. A small slipstone will be sufficient because the new bevel needs only be small. In addition, you can make slight curves to the cut, something that you cant do with a power saw, such as a circular saw. Of course, you're probably stronger than I am, so might be able to score half as much. Next, cut the entire length of the piece. You will also see them commonly used when drilling softer materials, such as plywood, particleboard, and laminate. Took all the saw marks out and polished the edge so you can't tell the difference. Generally speaking, you would want to use a circular saw or another power saw because they can cut through the area cleanly. If the table saw allows it, you can use water to cool down the area. Next, with the partial cut made, flip the Plexiglass over so that the cut edge is against the crosscut carriages back. Using the oscillating tool slowly and cutting through the acrylic, perhaps even stopping on occasion to allow the blade to cool is the best choice. You can use them for almost any purpose, but they are not always going to be the best choice when you have other tools available. I should also mention the band saw has a pretty coarse blade, about 3/32". When cutting through Plexiglass using a utility knife, glass cutter, or box cutter, you can use the scoring method. Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. Let us now consider some of the specific tools that can be used for cutting Plexiglass. With each pass of the drill bit, youll see the hole get bigger and bigger. The most common uses for step drill bits are in aluminum or sheet metal. It's not a problem. Its also a good idea to have on a long sleeve shirt, provided it doesnt get caught in the bandsaw because it is too loose. The one I have is made by freud,( I'd have to check but I think they call it an LU89) although you might not find this type of blade at the big box store, there are any number of catalogs you could get it from, also if you find a lumberyard that carries freud blades, theyll get it for you. Both blades made a clean-cut, but again, the difference between the two blades is that the metal blade removed less melted material when using a jigsaw to cut plexiglass. And keep in mind never drill too close to the edge of the Plexiglass; it will get damaged. VIDEO: Flame Polishing an Acrylic Plastic Divider, VIDEO: Flush Routing on a Large Plastic Case Made Out of .500 Clear Acrylic, Authorized Plexiglass Fabrication Brochure Download, VIDEO: How to Cut Plexiglass Acrylic Sheet. Not everybody has a bandsaw available but if you are cutting Plexiglass and have one, can you use it? I thought it 10mm but it could be 12. You can also use painters tape if the film has already been pulled off. Plexiglass can easily be cut with the bandsaw and many people consider it to be the ideal tool for that job. Is it a good choice? Polycarbonate is more expensive, but won't shatter like acrylic so is safer and more durable if your object will be subjected to impact. I wouldnt worry about Gumming up the tablesaw, However, there are blades specifically made for cutting plexiglass. Heres the trick to do when using an oscillating multi-tool; make the groove mark first and not cut through. Drilling acrylic, all you have to do is be gentle, take your time. Hope this helps. Turns out he wants to use these like a storm window in a bathroom to replace an inside screen during the winter. Wayne, thanks for the advice on the fasteners. As an affiliate of retailers(like Amazon), we earn from qualifying purchases. Tony, I find a bandsaw best for cutting acrylic. a router will machine it with a nice clean finish, you will need a solid carbide spiral cutter for aly / plastics though. I started working in the apartment industry years ago as a service technician, then I was promoted to the service manager position and realized my passion for tools. But if its safer, I will. You might also want to consider using a heavy-duty utility knife if you are cutting more than a few pieces. I never thought to change the speed and it cut ok. Are you sure that it was not polycarbonate? You can use a razor to easily cut through a piece of Plexiglass. Do the same with the plywood by turning it over. Is it OK to copy projects from the magazine? UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all. If you try to cut it with a knife and then try to bend it, unfortunately, it doesnt always break straight. Keep your hands steady on both sides of the material and always use a table saw guard. One of the most difficult things about running a Dremel tool is regulating the speed. When Drilling Plexiglass With Step Drill Bit, 2. Plexiglass can easily be cut with a box cutter and it is one of the best tools, provided you are cutting thin acrylic. Meaning it doesnt have a blade guard as a table saw does, making it highly dangerous to operate. Be cautious about the blade overheating so you dont ruin the edge. This is the same type of method that is used for cutting glass. Actually, it may be a great tool if used properly. When drilling, build a channel first, and then you can drill through completely. It isnt going to be as beneficial as using a power saw, but if you practice before cutting on the acrylic, you might find that a hand saw is an excellent tool. If you have a hacksaw available can you use it for cutting acrylic? And place the piece of plywood over the top of the Plexiglass. When cutting Plexiglass with the bandsaw, you do need to be cautious about any pieces that shear off and become airborne. Is it a good choice and how can they be used properly? We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter. Is it the best choice for acrylic? If you have a table saw, can you use it to cut acrylic? Go Sharp It is always going to be beneficial to use a sharp blade. Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more. One of the reasons why a hacksaw is such a great tool for cutting acrylic is because of the blade. Just take it slow. The trick to using a step drill bit is to know when to stop drilling. This can be overcome by keeping the film on the acrylic. A good combination blade will work fine. It is best to use this as a wet sanding method. Next, take a piece of rigid plywood that is at least as large as the Plexiglass you will cut. Also, you cannot countersink (as for flat head screws). A) Keeping the piece scratch-free from chips and whatnot. If all else fails, simply work in smaller sections and stop cutting every once in a while to allow the blade to cool. You would need to experiment a bit, but if you increase the cutting angle so that it is like between 80-90* and dont change the relief angle (if the relief angle is too shallow there will be friction and heat which is not good for acrylics)you will have the drilling equivalent of a scraper plane. If you are cutting a thicker piece of Plexiglass, then using a power saw is going to be the best choice possible. You want to make sure that the edge is going to be clean enough so that you can dress it up and make it look as precise as possible. Be sure to wipe the step drill bit with a soft cloth after use. Once there's a tiny groove for the tool to ride in, it's pretty easy.forestgirl-- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl;-)Another proud member of the "IRocked With ToolDocClub". :>). In some cases, such as a finish saw, you will have fine teeth that can easily cut acrylic without causing a lot of damage in the process. When using a jigsaw to cut Plexiglass, the ideal blade to use is: (BOSH T121AF Speed / Metal Blade) typically used to cut metals. Acrylic, being brittle, can sometimes break from stress points such as threads and under wedging action such as flat head screws. The correct number is an LU94. The step drill eliminates the tedious process of changing drill bits between each hole. Turns out he just needs two small pieces -- 6" x 18" and 14" x 14". Make sure that you are using a fine-tooth blade or use an acrylic blade if you want the best finish. About: Hi, Im Julio. In order to avoid this, use a fine blade that also has crosscut teeth. If you treat it right you can use a lot of tools on it. When you need to cut Plexiglass and you only have an angle grinder available, is it a good choice? Doing this technique of flipping the Plexiglass to complete the cut will avoid chipping and removing less melted material. Earlier tonight, my dad asked me how I would cut clear acrylicthe 1/4 thick stuff from Home Depot. When cutting Plexiglass, I recommend using the (Oscillating Multi-Tool) because it is the safest to use of all four tools mentioned. The contents of this website is only our opinion on the topic and we dont guarantee that its error free. I am not sure of the provenance of this, it was passed to me in a master-apprentice relationship, although I am sure that there are formal setups. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks, This forum post is now archived. I sometimes fabricate with acrylic, one brand name of which is plexiglass, and yes a router is sometimes used. After you cut through the Plexiglass, you can polish and buff the edge by using progressively finer grit sandpaper. You cant expect it to be used for a large-scale job of cutting Plexiglass, especially if you are trying to cut through it. You don't want the teeth too fine otherwise they get hot, I use a 10 or 14 tooth which works great. He told me that he had been taught grinds suitable for fingernails, and we had a bit of an adventure once with bone (a doctor thought he might need to put burr holes into a patient after a head injury and the warant officer was trying to get it right) The point being, the drills are cheaper than damaged materialsand easy to fit to requirements. If you have a laser can you use it for cutting acrylic? In some cases, the Plexiglass may melt if the angle grinder runs too hot but even if it fuses together, the angle grinder can typically break the area clean with a slight touch. I've had one too many projects delayed by plexiglass or acrylic shattering when I cut it. The key to doing so is cutting through the Plexiglass multiple times so that you score it deeply. Is cutting acrylic with a band saw safe for the material? You want a bit that is specifically made for cutting acrylic and similar types of cuts. I've cut the 1/4" flat stuff on the TS with a 10" combination Forest blade. Most people who use them for crafting purposes assume that faster is always better, but thats not the case. How to make a round dining table with hand tools? Make sure that you are cutting through it so that the blade does not heat up and cause damage to the edge in the process. If you need to cut a circular design, using an oscillating multi-tool is an ideal and straightforward process. Doing so will allow you to snap along that line so that you end up with a clean edge. A place for community members to show off their customized PCs, discuss new ideas for their rigs and look for help getting their dream project off the ground. Although most people tend to go for some type of power saw when they are cutting acrylic, it is not always going to be the only choice available. I write out about what Ive learned while researching DIY projects and I enjoy sharing about my experiences while working on different projects. (and a few tips). And the (Special T1028F Plexiglass Blade) was dirtier, which means it will remove more melted material. What you are doing is making a score mark so that you can snap the acrylic. I just wasn't sure how easy or difficult it would be to "score-and-snap" the heavier stuff. use the finest blade you can find and run it fast. The best way to cut Plexiglass is to use a power saw. On the other hand, if you are cutting a thinner piece of Plexiglass you may need to use a utility knife to cut the acrylic. Not sure how wise that isbut I trust his 50 years of experience versus any reservations I might have! In other words, the less molted material the blade removes, the better it is because you can see the line more efficiently when cutting. Still, the blade did a great job when cutting Plexiglass. For best results, I recommend the laser carbide 60-tooth saw blade when using a table saw cut plexiglass. You could end up with a lot of scratches as it rubs against the tabletop. no melting, clean cuts, just set the fence (adjust for blade drift if needed). A laser may be the right tool, but only for engraving, not for cutting acrylic. Are you trying to cut acrylic with a hand saw? In addition, the Dremel tool should be set to a speed of either 6 or 7. It is crucial to note that if the holes are for fasteners, such as screws or bolts, they should be slightly oversized. Keep in mind a few different things when using a hand saw for cutting Plexiglass. You'll be done in the time it would have taken to set up a powersaw, and safer. Thanks everyone for the information, sounds like I should be fine to cut it with what I have. Rather then bring it back I asked him what I could cut it with and he suggested an 80 tooth carbide TS blade. Jigsaws are actually one of the better tools for cutting Plexiglass, especially if you are cutting curves or unusual shapes. Still, you can use a step drill bit for drilling Plexiglass. On the other hand, if all you have available is a grinder, you can always use it in a pinch. Put the piece on a surface and use a straight edge to guide the blade as you repeatedly score the acrylic. It won't gum up the tablesaw. Here is a safe and straightforward two-step method you can use to cut Plexiglass on the table saw to prevent these chippings from occurring. First, allow the bit to contact the Plexiglass where you want to drill and mark it. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Ideas on how to frame acrylic sheet (for transparent room barrier), Epifanes clear varnish over penetrating epoxy, HELP! it'll cut smooth every time. There are also some blades that are specific for cutting acrylic. This post may contain affiliate links. It will make a clean edge. ePlastics Featured in the New York Times! forestgirl-- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl;-)Another proud member of the "IRocked With ToolDocClub". :>). As he said standard twist drill don't work well (an understatement, for sure). I've worked with acrylic and power tools before. I did acrylic sheet cutting on a table saw. When Drilling Plexiglass With Drill Bit for Plastic, 3. Otherwise, you will have to simply work in batches so that the blade cools down between cuts. I have the cutting tool which I use for the thin, non-glare acrylic for my picture frames. Dremel tools are excellent because we tend to have them for a wide variety of reasons. It works quickly and effectively to make the cut when you do it properly. Sometimes when you make a small cut, the Plexiglass can break. Not for assembly or troubleshooting , but modification! When Drilling Plexiglass With Hole Saw Bit. Thank you. I might try this first at home before I lug everything to the shop and make a production out of it! (Below) you can learn more about each drill bit mentioned above and how to avoid some mistakes when drilling Plexiglass. When using a hole saw bit, be sure to start drilling into the Plexiglas slowly. As a machinist, I cringed at the last sentence. I sanded the rough edge with increasing grits of sandpaper starting with 150 and ending with 1500. Is it possible to use a razor to cut Plexiglass? I've cut acrylic tubing on a band saw but never a panel. Legal: ToolsEveryday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Partner Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Since a table saw generally runs at a high speed, you need to be cautious that you are not getting splinters or cracks along the cut edge in the acrylic. Are you using an oscillating tool to cut acrylic? If you just need to make a few cuts, you can buy a special cutter. Other power tools, such as circular saws are best for long, straight lines.
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