Modding A real guide on how to cut AND drill plexi/acryl is needed!

Well, the topic of the thread just about says it all. I'm very interested in learning how to cut plexi or acryl properly. There has probably been a flurry of tutorials before, but I couldn't find any.

I thought about posting this in the "mod guide" section, but was a bit incertain if that was right considering this not being an actual guide.

So if any of you leethaxxors out there could help me, and post a proper tutorial on this.... it would be nice...

 

theres http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=90412
otherwise, i think it might just be a matter of experience

edit: or knowledge of the machine

 

That thread is good.

Skill is not necessary, you just need a jigsaw and a steady hand, and cut the pieces you want. For smooth edges, use 600g sandpaper on the edges, then 300g then 100g, or somewhere along these lines. Then use plastic polish and you'll be done.

 

that could be hard to come by

 

Don't be nervous or anything, just cut it really!

And make sure theres no heavily vibrating plastic, make sure the jigsaw base is level with the plastic.

Trust me, its easy!

 

I don't have particularly steady hands and I do just fine.

 

Do you think it would be possible to cut acrylic with a electrically heated nichrome wire? This would be a hella lot easier than real machining.

similar to this sort of rig?

 

No, the plastic just melts around the hot wire and rejoins behind it.

 

can the wire be heated enough to vaporize the acrylic much like it can vaporize foam?

 

theres this: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog_name=USPlastic&category_name=59&product_id=3577
but i dont know if acrylic is a 'thermoplastic', or if that works really at all

 

It seems about right. A blade that "shoves aside" the acrylic after melting it would probably be best, but I don't know of any blade material that is resistant enough to heat up to the right temps.

Then again, I could attach a propane torch to a scalpel and just slice away with the hot knife...

 

Measure Twice,
Cut Once.

End of thread.

 

best way to cut plexi is a table saw be careful though it can break plexi also very easy so take caution wear protection Yes when your cutting and in bed flying plexi really hurts i have a dint in my metal shop wall were a piece launched across the room.

 

scoring tool, low speed dremel, jig saw, band saw, anything that cuts haha

 

bansaw = my friend. but id prolly use a nice jigsaw with a metal blade and alot of masking taape

 

What has been said above is good. Although, I have been using some really thin plexi for mini projects and cutting by scoring it a few times with a packing knife then firmly planting the piece you are going to use and bending off the spare piece. It's trial and error, but comes out really clean when you get it right.

 

if you want totally clear edges on the plexi either get it laser cut or use a flame on the edges after it has been cut. which is not easily done. but when you get the technique it looks ace.

as for using a hot blade etc, not going to work. literally the only way to do it like that is laser cutting.

as for it being a thermoplastic, this has nothing to do with the cutting really. as thermoplastics are basically plastic that can be heated and formed into shape over and over again, thermosets can only be heated into shape once.

 

Well thank all of you for taking such interest in my request! But not only am I interested in cutting the acrylic, but also drilling it. Can someone help me with that?

 

I want to learn how to drill acrylic like they have done here with the HDD mount

 

Would someone please help me?