How do you cut Acrylic?

[codsack]

What do you use to cut acrylic with to get that nice smooth edge?

 

[hnguyen]

Laser cut is the only way to get a perfectly smooth cut. The next best thing is to use a table saw and then smooth the edges out with a torch.

 

[rbredding]

with power tools... (router, table saw with an 80+ tooth blade, drill, etc)

you'd have to scrape the tool marks out of the edges using a razor/etc.. prior to welding.. (use a blowtorch to polish the edges if it will be exposed.)

most CNC machines use a router bit..

 

[darcurr]

Hnguyen;632659 wrote: Laser cut is the only way to get a perfectly smooth cut. The next best thing is to use a table saw and then smooth the edges out with a torch.

+1

I tried a high count blade in a circular, but I had to go really slow or the acrylic would just melt.

 

[rbredding]

darcurr;632718 wrote: +1

I tried a high count blade in a circular, but I had to go really slow or the acrylic would just melt.

circular saw is NOT the same thing as a table saw or radial arm saw...

 

[darcurr]

Rbredding;632743 wrote: circular saw is NOT the same thing as a table saw or radial arm saw...

I was pointing out the fact it doesn't work well, geez....

 

[grouper therapy]

http://bit/">http://bit</a>[QU. OTE=Hnguyen;632659]Laser cut is the only way to get a perfectly smooth cutThe next best thing is to use a table saw and then smooth the edges out with a torch.[/QUOTE]
actually a lot of acrylic fabricators will use a spiral router bit for smooth edges whether in a table router or cnc router. I use them after a table saw cut. Flame polishing should not be done before bonding. It can actually cause crazing if not done properly.

 

[mustangcaleb]

i baffled my first sump with some acrylic from home depot, scored and snapped it. but my last few baffles i cut were with a sliding mitre saw, just gotta go slow bc if you go too fast the acrylic will chip

 

[ichthyoid]

Hnguyen;632659 wrote: Laser cut is the only way to get a perfectly smooth cut. The next best thing is to use a table saw and then smooth the edges out with a torch.

The 'kerf' (or cut) will not be perfectly perpindicular. Also see below-

grouper therapy;632747 wrote: http://bit/">http://bit</a>[QU. OTE=Hnguyen;632659]Laser cut is the only way to get a perfectly smooth cutThe next best thing is to use a table saw and then smooth the edges out with a torch.[/QUOTE]
actually a lot of acrylic fabricators will use a spiral router bit for smooth edges whether in a table router or cnc router. I use them after a table saw cut. [B]Flame polishing should not be done before bonding[/B]. It can actually cause crazing if not done properly.[/QUOTE]

+1

Flame polishing the edges prior to bonding may weaken the bond, due to surface oxidiation.

CO2 Laser cutting works well if helium (inert) assist gas is used. Other gases may react due to the plasma created.

FWIW- former CO2 laser Application Engineer

 

[rbredding]

darcurr;632746 wrote: I was pointing out the fact it doesn't work well, geez....

ha!

i guess that came off a little colder than intended...


fwiw, a circular saw isn't a woodworking tool.. it's a carpentry tool.. (yes, there's a huge difference)

sorry if i came across as rigid..

 

[gordob]

The wall-mounted board cutters work very well too. They have different blades for different materials such as wood, foamcore, plastic, and glass. The plastic blade works very well with several scores. Home Depot and Lowes typically have one, and they will probably cut it for you.

- Brad