Continue reading for details on how to cut plexiglassthe right way. There are special blades designed expressly for acrylic, but any metal-cutting blade with carbide tips can do the trick. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The other downside? Last Updated: April 18, 2022 However, this technique demands more concentration when compared with electrical saws. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Namely, the Duraplex brand found at Home Depot.

X For a thin sheet of plexiglassthat is, material up to about 3/16-inch thickuse a scoring method not dissimilar from a technique used to cut actual glass. Otherwise, you'll need to use a saw to cut it. % of people told us that this article helped them. You can use a regular blade, but the cut will be more jagged. Before committing to one blade or another, double-check that its teeth are evenly spaced, with no rake, and of uniform height and shape.

It helps to achieve clean and clear edges by retaining the sharpness of the material.

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. If you don't have a buffing edge, you can stop with fine sandpaper. I want to round the edges of 1/4" Plexiglas for a tabletop. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. If you're a do-it-yourself-er, you've likely needed to use acrylic sheeting in a project. Approved. By Bob Vila | Updated Apr 30, 2021 1:20 PM. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Whichever cutting method you choose, you may find that the cut plexiglass edge doesnt look terribly attractive.

We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Research source. To learn how to cut acrylic by sawing it, scroll down! That might be extruded, as opposed to cast, acrylic. Acrylic sheets are fairly simple to cut. Flip over the plexiglass, and score the opposite side in the same manner. Make the original cut as clean as possible. In fact, due to its light weight and durability, many do-it-yourselfers prefer plexiglass, not least because it can be cut and shaped with common workshop tools. To cut acrylic sheets, start by marking the line you want to cut using a ruler and a permanent marker. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. However, if you intend to cut acrylic into a nonlinear fashion, a jigsaw is the right option for you. Simply cutting plexiglass to size is easy by comparison. This will reduce the sanding time significantly. To finish, hold the scribed line to the edge of your work surface, and secure the plexiglass in place with a clamp. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Note: You can use a handheld power sander, but manual wet-sanding typically achieves the best results. Fortunately, it doesnt take long for do-it-yourselfers with woodworking experience to learn how to cut plexiglass. No matter which type of saw you choose for the task, its critically important to use the right blade. Start with rough paper ~180 grit and a foam sanding block. MSDS says its just acrylic with some styrene: https://www.acplasticsinc.com/media/Duraplex%20Safety%20Data%20Sheet.pdf To learn how to cut acrylic by sawing it, scroll down! Start the process with 120- or 180-grit waterproof sandpaper, in combination with a wood or rubber sanding block. (To cut anything but a straight line, opt for a jigsaw.). Proceed accordingly, water-cooling the blade or pausing your work for a few minutes as needed. It helps to achieve precise results by cutting the edges into curves and angular form. Versatile and tough though it may be, plexiglass isnt perfect. Thats why sheets of the material come covered in a thin layer of protective film. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Encapsulated with glass-like clarity, strength and resistance, working with acrylic sheets (a guide to which plastic should you choose) does not demand specialised skills and techniques. Outfit your electric drill with a buffing pad and, after applying a polishing compound formulated for plastic, bring the plexiglass edge to a perfect polish. [1] If your sheet is relatively thin--less than 316 inch (0.48cm)--you can use the scoring method.

Keep the following tips in mind when learning how to cut plexiglass to prevent irreversible damages.

Once you've scored the initial line, go over it a few times with the blade until a groove forms. A band saw is best for cutting intricate shapes and curves. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Switch to fine, then finer paper (360 and 600 grit) to get a satin finish. One note of caution: If the blade overheats, the material may chip or crack. As the plexiglass becomes smoother, transition to successively finer grits. With the foam block and sand paper, cup the edge to smooth it round. When using 360 grit, start wet-sanding.

The process doesnt demand the use of a power saw or any other heavy-duty electrical equipment. "The specific steps on scoring an acrylic sheet for a straight cut, esp. If you need to create complex, intricate and creative shapes with acrylic, a laser is probably the better option. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Cut-Acrylic-Sheets-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Acrylic-Sheets-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Cut-Acrylic-Sheets-Step-1.jpg\/aid9420717-v4-728px-Cut-Acrylic-Sheets-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"