Plexiglass cutting

[al33064@bellsouth.net]

I need to cut from 1/8 to 1/4inch plexiglass for my bridge windows. There is a curve to the windows so no straight line. I have the origional windows removed so there is a templet. ANYONE have a surefire way to cut plexiglass easily without cracking or splintering the edges?
thanks
Rian

[Maynard Rupp]

Use a sabre saw with a fine tooth blade. Not a a real fine metal cut.ting blade, but a relatively fine wood cutting type. Rub it with a wax candle and continue to do that while cutting. Use a slow speed and keep the preassure on. Don't let it get hot and melt the plastic. If yo have a tight turn, switch to a blade that is narrow front to back. You can block sand the edge smooth after cutting to eliminate any stress cracks.

[Chesapeake Dan]

I can help you with this, being my old line of work, all we did was cut plexiglass all day. You can do it by hand, and is really the safest way.

Put your old window on the new sheet and trace it out. And then get a plexiglass cutting tool ( you can get one of these at Lowes or Home Depot ) and with the first cut, slowly score just inside of your line the first time, and then do it again, and as you get deeper with your cut, you can increase the speed and the pressure on your plexi. If you are using 1/4 inch, this can be done in about 5 or six passes. Then Bring you scored line to the edge of the table, and start at one end, and just start snapping it all the way across, Then to preety up your edge, use a propane torch in the rough edge, not to close, and just heat it till it is smooth, just keep the heat moving.

The glass you buy comes 4x8 sheets or you can buy a half sheet. Just utilize the piece you buy, and if you have to draw it out a couple times, ( might just mess the first one up ) then you can try it again.

Or you can just take it to a glass/ plexiglass store which specializes in car's , bathrooms etc etc, and take them the piece off the boat, and have them do it for you.

Good Luck

Dan

[eze2bme]

Dan .... what is the best way to bend .080 plexi? The supplier told me that it takes 280 degrees of heat to make the plexi bendable. Thanks.

[Chesapeake Dan]

EZ,

This is what we used to make 90 degree bends

http://www.professionalplastics.com/...ending-acrylic

and for other kinds of bend, we used a heat gun. Just make sure you keep constant heat and distribute it evenly along the place you want to bend!!

I have hear of a household oven being used, like for making the bends in a Venturey windshield on a boat, coarse it can't be too big, unless you use a pizza oven at Domino's or something....LOL.

What are you wanting to bend???

And I highly recommend anyone who wants to do any work with the acrylic, try to get the " Acrylic Plus " as I spoke off in the EZ2CY thread, if you can get yours hands on a sheet. Cyro Plastics is the manufacture of the " Plus " but if you get in touch with Cyro, and get the name of the closest distributer to you, they will probably sell you a single sheet if you do the footwork.

Hope this helps

[Trojan]

For cutting straight lines I use my table saw with a fine blade running backwards. For rounds configurations I use a fine blade and I warm the plastic where I plan to cut. For bends I use the oven and only heat what I need to bend and bend it over a form.


BILL