Cutting / Filing Respex Plastic

[LDoubtfire]

Morning members,just can someone help me out here thanks.
What do you recommend for filing and cutting Perspex plastic
that’s no more than an eighth of an inch that’s to file / cut away.?

Thanks for replies.


Lewis Doubtfire

 

[Burnerman]

Acrylic can be sawn, filed and drilled using normal tools, i.e any file that you'd use for metal, any junior or full size hacksaw etc.
The trick is to keep the acrylic supported as it doesn't flex well, so if possible keep the finished edge level with the vice top jaw and file down to that.
If you want a polished edge, wet and dry paper is for you.
John

 

[ladylola]

I once watched a lad make the mistake of trying to cut perspex with a jigsaw. He had it well supported and did manage the cut all the way but when he finished he found that the heat from the blade had rejoined the plastic behind the cut as he went. Que giggling from everyone watching.
I have found that it is possible to plane the edges with a finely set wood plane although the blade doesn't stay sharp very long.

 

[LDoubtfire]

Ladyola,yes that’s happened to me a few times.It`s the big
`snag`with cutting Perspex.I`ve just used an old saw a joiner
Gave me awhile back,and finished off with just filing and it
Is`nt too bad a finished job.
What I`ve done is replaced the tops off a wooden wallpaper
Pasteing table with the Perspex.( The hardboard had gone
Twisted and `skelard`etc.Someone had thrown it away at my
Local council refuse tip.
The Perspex is 3/8ths thick so it`s a bit well much more `beefed`
Up.
I have had to put some,well make some wooden supports for the
Centre of the table to allow for the extra weight.
It now doubles up as a general purpose medium duty work bench
As well as a wallpaper pasteing table.
John,I was going to use a junior hack saw,but this standard saw I used
Just needed to cut not much more than the width of the saw blade
Itself.
It`s amazing all this from a council `throw away`.


Lewis Doubtfire

 

[Burnerman]

With 3/8 stuff, you'll be filing for ever and a day
Feel free to use a hand plane or an electric one - but the blades will blunt quickly, and only aim for a fine cut.
Clamp a timber lath along the edge as a guide if you need to.
John

 

[andyv8van]

You can scrape the edge away with a metal ruler , 12 inch engineering ruler does it.

regards

Andy

 

[wotan]

Final polishing can be done using a butane torch, wafted along the edge.

Wotan

 

[foxhole]

Jigsaw can be used, low speed with correct blade.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-bo...d-jigsaw-blades-pack-3-prod23421/?src=froogle

 

[ntb]

Never tried a carbide blade - I use these with a jigsaw. Lowest speed, no pendulum and frequent backing off to avoid heat build up.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-bosch-t101a-acrylic-and-perspex-jigsaw-blades-prod724845/