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Having just worked with both lexan and plexi, the plexi melted when sanded on the band sander. One effective way to do a crosscut is to start at one end, cut for 3-4 inches, turn off the saw and wait for the blade to stop, flip the sheet and then complete the cut from the other (uncut) side.Even aggressive hand sawing seems to melt plexi. The risk of broken edges is far greater in crosscutting than straight cuts.
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It results in fine and smooth edges, but it is only possible when working with small pieces.Ĭrosscutting plexiglass is even more complex than making straight cuts. Your hand’s motion speed must not during the cutting process.įor an extra-fine finish, you can place a piece of scrap wood over small plexiglass pieces. The force you exert on the sheet must be smooth and uniform. You will also need to apply proper pressure on the sheet. The feed rate for thinner sheets must be slower compared to thicker sheets. You don’t exactly need to follow this rate, but you must be slow and steady. Experts suggest that a feed rate of about 3 inches per second works all right for plexiglass. There is no universal or calculated rate. One important thing to keep in mind while feeding the sheets to the blade is the feed rate. Clamps will ensure that the sheets don’t slip while passing over the blade. For multiple sheets, you must use clamps to hold the sheets together. If you need to make multiple cuts with the same measurements, it is a great idea to stack up plexiglass sheets over each other and then make the cut. If you are using a crosscut sled or a push block, the movement will be smoother, resulting in a finer cut. Acrylic/plexiglass is sensitive, and it can get damaged if you exert too much pressure. You need to be very slow and gentle while pushing the sheet towards the blade. Turn on the table saw and start feeding the sheet to the blade. However, you need to be more cautious and careful as plexiglass is fragile compared to wood. In the basic essence, cutting wood and plexiglass are the same. Please make sure that you go through all the steps before you start cutting. Once you are done with the above-mentioned basics, you can proceed to set up your table saw and get down to cutting. A high teeth count reduces friction and eliminates melting. These blades are made from hi-density carbide with a high teeth count, which gives smooth cuts. There are express blades available in the market specifically designed for cutting plexiglass and other plastics. Your standard blade will not cut plexiglass.
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The other thing to take care of is the blade. Secondly, thinner sheets chip very badly when exposed to a fast-moving blade. They can melt by the heat produced by the moving blade when it comes in contact with the sheet. Plexiglass sheets that are 1/4 –inch thick or thicker should be cut with a saw. First of all, don’t cut plexiglass thinner than ¼-inch on a table saw.
#HOW TO CUT PLEXIGLASS HOW TO#
Let’s learn how to cut plexiglass with a table sawīefore you start cutting plexiglass with a table saw, you need to take care of a couple of things. It requires patience, skill, and in-depth knowledge for cutting plexiglass without making any splinters. Please note that plexiglass is different from your regular wood sheets, and cutting it needs some alterations to your machine. In this article, we will explain how you can cut plexiglass without damaging it. Many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts ask how to cut plexiglass with a table saw without damaging the sensitive material. A homeowner or a contractor will use plexiglass for window frames, light covers, and as an alternative to glass. Some of its applications are industry-based, which require sophisticated and purpose-built cutters. Plexiglass or acrylic is frequently used to make eye lenses. Plexiglass is commonly used for windows, light covers, signs, bathtubs, furniture, picture frames, screens, and thousands of other uses. It is a versatile material and can be easily coated with UV coating and other materials. Plexiglass has been used all over the world since 1928. It is frequently used as an alternate material to glass because it looks like glass, but it is shatterproof, inexpensive, reliable, durable, and enhances the aesthetic value of the area where it is installed. Plexiglass is often referred to as acrylic. It is a transparent petroleum-based thermoplastic material available in sheets. Plexiglass is commonly used for various household and commercial purposes.