That’s because scroll saws produce much less heat than their brethren, which cuts down on the risk of your plexiglass melting as it’s cut. Note: You can use a handheld power sander, but manual wet-sanding typically achieves the best results. After that, the plexiglass undergoes additional mechanical processing. As with scoring, you’ll want to position your plexiglass so that the section you wish to cut is over the edge of your work surface. Buff to a perfect polish. No matter which type of saw you choose for the task, it’s critically important to use the right blade. There are special blades designed expressly for acrylic, but any metal-cutting blade with carbide tips can do the trick. Dremel rotary tools cut material at very high cutting speeds (from 10,000 to 35,000 RPMs) so the cuts are high quality and are considered a fine finish. (source: WikiHow) This method works best for sheets of plastic that are not too big and not too thick. Before committing to one blade or another, double-check that its teeth are evenly spaced, with no rake, and of uniform height and shape. The problem with kickback is that not only can it shoot a piece of thin plexiglass to your face, but it can also pull your hand towards the blade in the process. Easier to Cut, Bend, Mold than Plexiglass. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Once you’re finished, the cut portion will fall from the rest of the sheet. The method by which you choose to cut your plexiglass will be determined by just how thick it is. For thin sheets, choose a sharp blade. For a thin sheet of plexiglass—that is, material up to about 3/16-inch thick—use a scoring method not dissimilar from a technique used to cut actual glass. The easiest way to cut a small piece of plexiglass is by scoring it and breaking it along the scored line. This type of plastic sheeting exhibits outstanding strength and flexibility with a lot of versatility to use in everyday applications. Here’s a few things to keep in mind if you’re interested in working with this amazing material. (To cut anything but a straight line, opt for a jigsaw.) 75 $13.99 $13.99. Then, gently pour soapy water over the plexiglass and let it run across the surface. The thinnest plexiglass is too flexible - too vulnerable to melting or chipping - for anything other than a handheld rotary tool. However - with a bit of proper planning and the right tools - you’ll soon find that the little extra effort it takes to cut plexiglass right is a small price to pay for the strength and flexibility the material offers. 2. Then, you lay a safety paper wrapping on the sheet. In reality, however, that’s not exactly true. These blades are durable and sharper than the others and therefore suitable for their work. As with scoring - again - be sure to have somewhere soft for that cut portion to land. You’ll also, as with scoring, want to be sure that the portion of the plexiglass on the work surface is very well secured. A ¼ inch thick plexiglass and up is safe to be cut with a table saw. If your project requires a clean edge, expect to devote energy to smoothing the finish. Start the process with 120- or 180-grit waterproof sandpaper, in combination with a wood or rubber sanding block. In a range of applications, from picture frames to tabletops, plexiglass (also known as acrylic) serves as a cost-effective, shatterproof substitute for glass. For very thin acrylic or quick cuts that do not go a long distance, this may be the best choice. Leave the paper covering on the plexiglass and place the sheet on a flat surface. 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