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.
It can be challenging to find the right band saw blade for plastic, as there are all kinds of band saw blade for plastic brands to choose from, such as POWERTEC, OLSON SAW, Imachinist, AYAO, DEWALT. We have done a lot of research to find the top 21 Best Band Saw Blades for Plastic available. Our experts tested a variety of band saw blades for plastic at all prices from $6 to $29 in the market. For more of our top picks, read on! Also, check out our buying guide for some suggestions on how to choose the right band saw blade for plastic.
The next thing that you need to understand when it comes to saw band blades is the idea of course blades and fine blades. If you are cutting metal on a vertical band saw and require a good finish, then you might want to try using a skip tooth blade instead. Skip tooth blades are not as powerful as hook tooth blades, but depending on the thickness of the metal, a skip tooth blade may still enable your band saw to cut through it. Armed with this knowledge you should have no issues walking into your local hardware store and picking out the best blade or blades for your band saw.
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.
Blades are stainless steel with a diamond-grit edge that cuts hard, abrasive materials such as carbon fiber, ceramics, masonry, glass, composites, quartz, and silicon. Carbide grit bonded to alloy steel blades cuts through hard materials such as hardened steel, graphite, fiberglass, composites, and nickel alloys including Hastelloy and Inconel.
As a buying guide, I’ll show the best circular saw blade for cutting plastic. So if you are looking for a saw blade for plastic cutting you can use this blade in your plastic industry. Plastic cutting saw blade is called acrylic cutting saw blade.
best bandsaw blade for cutting plastic Related Question:
What blade is best for cutting plastic?
Cutting Thick Sheets of Plastic To make straight cuts on thicker sheets of acrylic and polycarbonate plastic (greater than ⅛ inch thick), you’ll need to use a table saw or circular saw. Use blades designed specifically to cut plastic, which are often packaged as “No Melt” blades.
Can band saw cut through plastic?
Plastics may be cut using multi-axis CNC saws or manual circular or band saw blades. Below are guidelines for sawing several performance plastics. Thick-walled parts should be sawed with relatively thin blades to avoid excessive frictional heat generation. Well-sharpened, strongly offset saw blades are recommended.
When cutting plastics with a bandsaw what type of blade should be used?
A fine toothed blade (18 to 32 TPI) should be used for thinner metals and plastics under 1/4″. For general cutting of 3/4″ plywood 4 TPI will provide a fast cut and 14 TPI will cut much slower but leave a smooth finish on the cut.
Can you cut acrylic on 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 thick hard plastic?
Cutting hard plastic with a saw: You can effectively cut thick hard plastic with a hand saw, jigsaw, or a table saw. For each type of saw, pick a blade with a high tooth count, which will give you a smoother cut.
How do you cut strong plastic?
You can use a hacksaw, fine-toothed saw, circular saw, or jigsaw to cut plastic. If you use a hacksaw or circular saw, you’ll also need a plastic cutting blade. Avoid using saws or blades with large teeth because they will chip or break the plastic and create rough edges.
Can a metal saw cut plastic?
Scroll saws are great because they can be used for just about any type of material. You can use them for making fine cuts in hard and softwoods, plastics, and various kinds of metals including copper and even steel.
What is 18 TPI for cutting?
Blades 12-18 TPI are typically used for metal and denser materials as well as finish cuts in wood. The 18-24 TPI range is almost always used for metal cutting. Pro Tip: Always keep 3 teeth in contact with the material being cut.
What is 14 TPI for cutting?
8-14 TPI blades are capable of cutting wood and the occasional nail. Demo blades fall into this category. 14-24 TPI is the range of metal cutting, PVC cutting and finish cut blades. The blades cut slowly, but leave being a very smooth edge.
How do I choose a bandsaw blade?
Use coarse tooth blades (2 or 3 TPI) for re-sawing and cutting thicker materials. For general wood cutting duties in typical 3/4″ material, use a 4 TPI blade for coarse, fast cutting and a 14 TPI blade for slower, smoother cutting. A blade in the 6 to 8 TPI range provides good general-purpose performance.
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 can the edges of plastic be smoothed and polished?
Begin by smoothing out the edges of your acrylic with 180 grit sandpaper and wet sand the edges. Rinse your sandpaper as needed to stop it clogging up. As the edges level and smooth move onto the sandpaper with the grit of 320 – 360 to give a more polished finish.
Can a box cutter cut plastic?
Using only a box cutter and a ruler (and a clamp if you need one) you too can cut plastic. *for this tutorial, i used scrap plastic. You should never take the protective film off of your plastic until the last possible minute to avoid scratches.
How do you cut hard plastic with a jigsaw?
Cut through plastic with a jigsaw. Squeeze the trigger, so the blade is moving before you touch it to the plastic. Hold the saw’s handle steady, and use firm pressure to press the blade through your plastic. A jigsaw will work best if you’re cutting heavy-duty plastic, including PVC pipe.
How do you cut polyethylene plastic?
Ideally, you will use a sharp blade specifically designed for plastic. You can also use a blade marked with wood, but the friction of the blade can generate too much heat, causing the plastic to melt after cutting. To avoid this, you may need to try different puzzle settings and speeds with a piece of scrap plastic.