Cutting acrylic or other plastics isn’t a whole lot different than cutting wood, Richard. Feed it too slowly and friction from the blade may melt the acrylic, resulting in a poor-quality cut. Or as an alternative, cut pieces slightly oversize initally, then use a template to bring the piece to final size and create smooth edges, shown below.
How to Cut Acrylic Sheet Instructional VideoScribing Tool, Scroll Saw, Band Saw, Table SawHow to Cut and Fabricate Plexiglass sheet For all of the fabrication information, please download the complete brochure. Authorized Plexiglass Fabrication Brochure Download Also – a great article written by the makers of Plexiglas – Sawing Acrylic Sheet – as published in the IAPD Magazine Plexiglass acrylic sheet may be cut by sawing or routing with power equipment saws or by scribing and breaking. Circular blade saws are limited to straight cuts; scroll and sabre saws for rough cutting small-radius curves in thin Plexiglas® acrylic sheet; band saws for rough cutting larger-radius curves or for making rough straight cuts in thick Plexiglass acrylic sheet.
I split a blank while cutting it in half on my table saw. Just as they cut the plywood smoother with less tearing, the same is going to apply to brittle acrylic. 6-8 tpi is probably good for a standard 3/4 – 1 inch square blank, but if your cutting a 2 inch thick piece I’d go for a 3-4 tpi blade.
Just in case someone else runs across the need to cut acrylic on the bandsaw, I thought I’d post my results. On the high range at 600-ish, it felt like it was chipping away/catching on the material instead of cutting smoothly. Increasing the speed to 1200-1300 did the trick and cut very nicely without melting.
A friend of mine has a wood shop and I was planning to cut some acrylic there for a window mod. “I should also mention the band saw has a pretty coarse blade, about 3/32”..
I’m a complete noob when it comes to rigid tubing, and when I went to make my first cut I learned pretty quickly that using a tubing cutters definitely ain’t gonna work So I’m gonna use my miter saw, I just gotta find out what kinda blade to get for it.
best bandsaw blade for acrylic Related Question:
What type of blade is used to cut acrylic?
Carbide tipped saw blades are recommended for superior cuts and longer life of the cutting edge. It is also important to dedicate saw blades for cutting acrylic only.
Can a wood blade cut acrylic?
Cast acrylic sheets. They are hard and durable and can be cut with a table saw so long as you use the correct blade and take all necessary safety precautions.
Will diamond blade cut acrylic?
Diamonds will cut glass/acrylic/tile/wood/concrete/granite and an assorted other materials due to diamonds are harder then any other material. It’s not going to matter if it’s glass or acrylic.
Can you cut acrylic with a bandsaw?
Band Saws. Band saws should be used when curves are cut in flat sheets or when formed parts are rough trimmed. They are also used for making straight cuts in thick pieces of Plexiglas® acrylic sheet.
How do you cut acrylic wood?
Don’t force your cutting – you’re likely to generate heat which will melt the acrylic. Power saws such as jigsaws and carbide tipped circular saws are suitable choices. Jigsaws can be used on acrylic sheets upto 6mm thick. Circular saws can be used on acrylic sheets of all thicknesses.
What is the best jigsaw blade for cutting plexiglass?
A good choice for cutting plexiglass with a jigsaw is a 10 TPI (teeth per inch) bi-metal jigsaw blade. Another recommended choice is a really sharp hollow ground wood blade. Avoid very fine metal blades, as they can clog while cutting, melting the plastic in the plexi.
How do you cut thick acrylic?
To cut thicker sheets of acrylic, it’s best to use either a jigsaw or a table saw that’s outfitted with a special blade that’s designed specifically for cutting acrylic. This will allow you to cut cleanly the first time, and make the finishing process much more straightforward.
Can I cut acrylic with miter saw?
Cutting acrylic on the table saw or miter saw is the same as cutting wood, so long as you use the correct blade. The blade should indicate that it’s meant for cutting plastic or acrylic. Sometimes it helps to apply a strip of painter’s tape to the cut line first.
How many teeth do you need to cut acrylic?
So we recommend 10″, 80 tooth, carbide tip, UNICHIP grind. The grind is very important as it makes for a smoother cut. Never use your acrylic blade for cutting wood or any other material.
Is there a difference between acrylic and plexiglass?
Plexiglass is a colloquial way to refer to clear acrylic sheets—making acrylic and plexiglass the same product. The origin of the term “plexiglass” comes from a brand of clear cast acrylic sheets called “Plexiglas,” but today plexiglass and acrylic are often used interchangeably.
Can you laser cut acrylic?
Cast acrylic can be cut with a laser, but it will not result in flame-polished edges. This acrylic material is better suited for engraving. The other type of acrylic is known as extruded acrylic, which is a very popular cutting material.