How do you cut Perspex?

[CAWORK]

Afternoon all

My father needs to cut some perspex and would like to know what is the best way to go about it e.g what tools etc are needed e.g a scriber etc? could somebody please give me some idea on this or suggest any suitable website etc?

Many thanks

 

[alpem]

Hi! I have always scored the perspex with a scriber then snapped it over( and close to) a straight edge like a table or workbench.
alpem

 

[^woody^]

4" angle grinder and carborundum disk

 

[OilLecky]

Like Alpem I've cut it by scoring (quite deep on both sides ) then putting it on the edge of a bench or table (and putting a straight edge plank of wood on top - plus a bloke standing on it for big 4 to 6 foot lengths!) then, wearing gloves and using both hands, a very quick, confident, snap downwards, breaking off the smaller piece. Ta .ra!

For smaller pieces it is always still better to have a helper holding a piece of straight edge wood on top. Never tried the angle grinder method as I didn't have one then but I can see it working. Does it melt it's way through? . Jigsaws, hacksaws etc etc just break things up all over the place and waste material. good luck!!

 

[Bilioustrumpstaine]

Use a straight piece of timber to provide you with a straight edge to cut to.
Make sure that you are putting the timber over the piece that you want to use in case your blade "skates" causing a scratch over the piece you want to use. I just kept running down the line with a stanley blade (make sure its a sharp one) until I cut right through.

 

[^woody^]

No, it cuts with little heat so no melting.

 

[CAWORK]

OK Everybody,

Thanks V much indeed for everyones help!

 

[foxhole]

You can get jigsaw blades specifically for cutting plastics.

 

[Symptoms]

CA - depends on the type of cut (straight or curved), the thickness of acrylic and range of tools/equipment available.

Straight cut = table saw with tipped negative rake teeth, say 96 for a 300 dia blade; bandsaw with fine toothed blade, maybe 6tpi skip; handsaws - panel @ 11+tpi, tenon @ 14tpi ... the thinner the material the more teeth; score BUT ONLY for small widths, large bits you run the risk of shatter. Support with battens.

Curves = bandsaw, jigsaw (acrylic blade - fine), coping saw.

Finishing = straight, you can use a smoothing plane (thin stuff sandwich between timber), glasspaper, then buff. Finish off with Brasso.

To join acrylic use Tensol cement.