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.
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!
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?
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...
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.
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?